1. Ancient China Geography
Physical barriers (Gobi Desert in the North, Himalayas in the South, Pacific in the east) isolated China from other civilizations, leading to the Chinese belief that they were the center of the earth and “best” civilization
Chinese civilization started c. 10,000 B.C. when early people settled near the Huang He River
c B.C., the Chinese first harvested silk and used it to weave fine fabrics
Lecture on Silk in Ancient China

2. First Historical Chinese Dynasties
Shang (1700 B.C B.C.)
made their capital at Anyang
evidence of reigns of emperors from oracle bones (animal bones such as turtle shells used by priests to read the future for the emperor)
Generally limited to questions of formal importance, such as sacrifices, war, or irrigation projects
Reveals two important points about Shang China:
1. Names of emperors on the bones confirmed the existence of at least 30 Shang emperors, known previously only through tradition
2. The characters on the bones proved to be the direct ancestors to modern Chinese characters and calligraphy
oracle bone

4. Ancestor worship became central to Chinese family traditions
2. Zhou (1100 B.C.-256 B.C.)
ruled through system of feudalism: emperors sent out their relatives and followers to occupy more and more territory; each lord constructed own fortress-city from which to rule *decreased central power of the emperor*
area of their vassal states (land owned by lords) extended from Beijing in the north to a little below the Yangtze in the south
Ancestor worship became central to Chinese family traditions
Zhou Emperor

5. Dynastic Cycle
Mandate of Heaven: the right of a family to rule China, given to the emperors by the gods
This cycle of various dynasties rising and falling from power known as the Dynastic Cycle
Allowed the Zhou to justify their right to overthrow the Shang dynasty

6. Religion and Philosophies of Classical China
Chinese religion not unified; people combined aspects of different religions and philosophies (system of ideas)
Each had its own idea about the best kind of government
1. Confucianism
Founded by Confucius, c. 500 B.C.
showed people how to behave
*Taught that most important duty is to one’s family, esp. filial piety (respect for parents)
His sayings collected by followers in the Analects
Ideas would most influential throughout Chinese history
Confucius( B.C.)

8. 2. Taoism 3. Legalism Founded by Laozi
showed people how to view the world around them
Stresses the need to live in harmony with nature and balance between the forces of yin and yang
Collection of teachings in the Tao Te Ching
3. Legalism
Founded by Hanfeizi (hahn fay dzuh), c. 250 B.C.
“Nature of man is evil. Goodness is acquired.”
Strict laws and harsh punishments
adopted as official policy of China’s first empire, the Qin in 221 B.C.
Laozi
Laozi
The Unity of Yin and Yang

10. Bodhisattva Guanyin, goddess of compassion and mercy
4. Mahayana Buddhism
brought to China by missionaries and merchants following the Silk Road, by A.D. 100
Chinese had trouble with it at first, because of their dedication to family and Buddhism’s encouraging of men and women to leave family to become monks
BUT had spread throughout China by A.D. 400
provided Chinese the idea of salvation, unlike in Confucianism
Bodhisattva Guanyin, goddess of compassion and mercy
Layout of Chinese Buddhist Temple

12. Qin and Han China

13. B. Classical Chinese Dynasties
1. Qin ( B.C.)
- founded by Shi Huangdi, emperor who united China
- modeled his rule on Legalist policies
- ended feudal system in China
- responsible for the Great Wall joined together the old walls of former feudal rulers

14. 2. Han (206 B.C.-A.D. 220)
- eased the Qin’s harsh Legalist policies; made Confucianism official system of the state
- Wudi: known as “the Warrior Emperor” because expanded China’s borders
- Silk Road became major trade route that connected China to the west
- used system of civil service exams based on Confucius’ ideas to choose most qualified officials