1. Ancient China – During and After the Zhou Dynasty

2. The Decline of the Zhou
Dynasty falls into chaos as warrior lords begin fighting each other for power
Ancient values of social harmony, respect and good government begin to fall apart
New people and ideas arise to help China
Confucius
Laozi and Daoism (Taoism)
Legalism and Shi Huangdi

3. The Ideas of Confucius Lived during 551-479 BCE
Believed social harmony, respect & good gov’t could be restored w/ 5 relationships
Thought people were naturally good, not bad
Ruler and
Subject
Father and
Son
Older and
Younger Bro 5
Relationships
Husband and
Wife
Friend and
Friend

4. The Ideas of Confucius
5 relationships were based on proper conduct (ex. Rulers kind, subjects loyal)
Believed in filial piety- respect for ones parents and elders
Code of politeness still used today
Believed in bureaucracy & education
Education was a way to advance yourself
Became the way of the gov’t for years
Book written of his ideas- “The Analects”
Confucianism never a religion; only an ethical system

5. Laozi and the Daoists Laozi- another leader in China
Believed in the ‘natural order’ of the world
A simple life with inner peace/ harmony
Called ‘the Dao’- or the way (Daoism)
Daoism- following the way in life
Believed everything in nature follows the Dao except humans
Humans argue and question
Daoists study the sciences
Leads to advancements in alchemy, astronomy and medicine

6. The Legalists
Believed in highly efficient and powerful gov’t was the way to restore order
Use law to end civil disorder
Would restore social harmony
Believed rulers should give rich rewards and harsh punishments for actions
Believed any books or people challenging gov’t should be destroyed
Later these thoughts will become actions

7. Other New Ideas for China
Some people did not like the new ideas
Used old ideas or oracles for guidance
I Ching- throwing coins and referring to oracle readings for answers
Comparable to oracle bones or Yatzee
Yin and Yang- balance of masculine and feminine in the world for Confucianism and Daoism
Yang (masculine), yin (feminine)
Both ideas used to help explain the world

8. The Qin Dynasty Arises Qin dynasty takes power from the Zhou
Shi Huangdi comes to power
Name means 1st Emperor
Practices Legalism to run China
Ends internal fighting and defeats outside invaders of China
Expands empire to its largest size
Worked to unify all of China under his power

9. Achievements of Shi Huangdi
Creates an autocracy- one leader holds all the power of an area
Creates a centralized gov’t- gov’t run from a central or internal location
He ran gov’t from his city, took all lands
Moved all nobles in the city to watch them
Murdered Confucian thinkers, burned books
Built highways for trade
Set standards for money, writing and law
Style was unpopular, but he unified China

11. The Great Wall of China Built from the walls of the past
Shi Huangdi responsible for their construction
Used peasants to build the walls
Many died and were buried in the walls
Great Wall can be seen from space

12. The Han Dynasty is Born
Huangdi dies and the Han dynasty comes to power
Liu Bang is victorious over other leaders
Han dynasty also uses centralized gov’t
People paid taxes and 1 month of labor
People tested for civil service jobs
Tested on Confucian knowledge
Major Han Achievements
Paper (105 AD), collar harness, 2-blade plow, wheelbarrow, keeping silk secret hidden, porcelain
Han dynasty will fall due to uneven distribution of wealth b/w rich and poor

13. The Map of the Silk Roads
The Silk Roads were one of the most important trade routes in the world
Connected China to the rest of the world
Sold numerous products including silk, porcelain, and spread ideas on government and Buddhism