1. People, Religion, History and Government
East Asia

2. INtroduction
East Asia can trace many of its cultural features to an ancient civilization that arose in China thousands of years ago. In the centuries that followed, powerful dynasties ruled China, creating an enormous empire that influenced the entire region. Today, migration and trade have paved the way for an exchange of ideas and practices between East Asia and other parts of the world. Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea have become modern industrial nations.

3. Ancient Chinese Timeline

4. The Dynastic Cycle Emperor reforms govt, improves efficiency
Life improves, lower taxes, more farming
Problems begin (wars, invasions)
Taxes go up, conscription, farming neglected
Increased spending, corruption
Droughts, floods, famines
Respect lost, rebels attack landlords
Rebels united strong leader, attack emperor
Emperor is defeated
A new dynasty comes to power
Start
The Dynastic Cycle

5. Dynasties in China Xia Dynasty-2205-1575 BC Zhou Dynasty-1045-256BC
Chinese learned how to make Bronze
Zhou Dynasty BC
Confucius is born
Cast Iron is invented along with Iron Plough
Ruled for about 800 years
Culture and trade spread
Wrote down laws for the first time
Made first coins
Famers began to use a plow pulled by oxen
Qin Dynasty BC
First dynasty to Unite China under one Empire
Greatest ruler Shi Huangdi
He ordered and built much of the Great Wall of China
Han Dynasty-206BC-220AD
Paper is invented
Travel on silk road begins 200BC
Buddhism introduced to China
Arts and science flourished

6. Dynasties in China Qing Dynasty-1644-1912 Tang Dynasty-618-907
Wood block printing first used in China to print entire book
Enjoyed unity stability and progress
Song Dynasty
Moveable printing invented
Gun powder
Magnetic compass
Marco Polo begins travels to China
Ming Dynasty
Establish trade with India and Africa
Construction of Forbidden City
Beijing new capital
Portuguese arrive
Qing Dynasty
Last dynasty of China before being overthrown by the Republic of China

7. Chinese Dynasties and Their Achievements
Notable
Rulers
Achievements
Xia Dynasty B.C.E.
Aryans
Migrated into the area and conquered the local peoples
Developed superior weaponry and technology
Shang Dynasty B.C.E.
Thirty separate kings
Ruled from a succession of seven different capitals.
Invention of writing
Zhou Dynasty
B.C.E.
Kings + Noblemen
Expansion
Regional rulers
Qin Dynasty B.C.E.
Qin
Centralization of authority
Written laws
Building projects (Great Wall of China)
Han Dynasty
Han
Wudi
400 year rule
Exploration (Zhang Qian)
Expansion of trade
Silk Road
Pax Sinica
Food reserves
Merit-based appointments

8. Great Wall of China Built to keep invaders out
The wall linked many older walls in northern China
The original Great Wall was started by the Qin Dynasty following dynasties continued to work on it.
Later the Ming Dynasty rebuilt the wall. Much of the Great Wall that we know today was built by the Ming Dynasty.
The Great Wall of China is a wall that covers much of the northern border of China.
If you take the length of the entire wall, plus various branches, it is around 5,500 miles long!

9. The Silk Road
A pathway used to exchange raw materials; trade and travel west
The silk road consisted of trails, roads, bridges, and pathways that stretched across nearly 5000 miles of land and water.
The silk road is not one long road, but rather many smaller roads and pathways that were connected, and worn by the use of thousands of travelers over a period of hundreds of years.

10. The silk road

11. Confucius “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others”.
Occupation: Philosopher and teacher
Born: 551 BC in China, the state of Lu
Died: 479 BC in China, the state of Lu
Best known for: Creating the philosophy known as Confucianism
Basic ideas of Confucianism:
Treat others kindly
Have good manners and follow daily rituals
A man should have good morals and ethics
Family was important and ancestors were to be respected
A true man had the qualities of integrity, righteousness, altruism, goodness, and loyalty
One should practice moderation in all things
He believed in a strong and organized central government

12. Forbidden City
Was the palace of the Chinese emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
It is located in the heart of Beijing, the capital city of China, and is the largest ancient palace in the world.
built under the orders of the powerful Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty between the years 1406 to 1420.
Twenty-four different Chinese emperors lived in the palace over the course of nearly 500 years.
About 100,000 artisans and craftsmen worked on the palace.

13. Check your Understanding
How do you think the Silk Road contributed to cultural diffusion?
What regions did the Silk Road connect?
What physical barriers did traders traveling along the Silk Road have to overcome?
Why was the Great Wall of China built?
What are some technological advancements invented by the Chinese?

14. China-History Much of its history China was ruled by dynasties
A series of rulers from the same family line
Rulers of these dynasties were called Emperors
In early times the lands were ruled by the feudal system
where lords owned the lands and peasant farmers worked the lands for them.
In later years, the empire was run by civil service officials who ran the cities, collected taxes, and enforced the laws. Men had to pass exams to become officials.
The great enemy of the Chinese was the Mongols who lived to the north.
They even built a wall thousands of miles long to try and keep the Mongols from invading.
The Mongols did conquer China for a time, however, and established their own dynasty called the Yuan Dynasty.

15. Feudal System

16. CHINa capital: Beijing
People
1.3 billion-World’s largest population
Language: Majority speak Mandarin-one of the official languages, Although English is widely spoken
Only 10% live in western China
92% ancestry of Hans Chinese
Population continues to grow around 6 million people a year
Officials have urged people to delay having Children and even have tried to limit each couple to one child
Economy
China used to have a Command Economy
Economic system in which the government the government owns all businesses and makes all the decisions
In the 1970’s began allowing aspects of market economy
China is currently a MIXED ECONOMY
Today China has world’s second largest economy
Hong Kong is home to some of the world’s tallest buildings
The service industry in Hong Kong is growing

17. China
Religion
Ancient religious values and beliefs shape life for the people.
Daoism
stresses living simply in harmony with nature
Buddhism
came to China from India
believe moral behavior, kindness and meditation can lead to peace
Many Chinese blend elements of Daoism and Buddhism with Confucianism
A philosophy based on the ideas and teachings of Confucius
Stresses the importance of family, moral values, and respect for one’s elders
Other major religions
Christianity and Islam

18. Chinese Philosophies/Religions
Philosophy/ Religion
Founders
Characteristics
Confucianism
Confucius (Kongzi)
Peace and order
Respect for elders
Ethical human relationships
Daoism
Laozi
Reject material things
Commune with nature
Become one with Dao (force within all things)
Buddhism
Budda
Four Noble Truths
Eightfold path
Nirvana
Harmony with the universe

19. What East Asian cultural belief do you think is being reflected in the painting?
People should live in harmony with nature

20. China
Government
More economic freedom has not led to more political freedom
Communist government tightly controls most aspects of life
Ex: Controls newspapers, internet access
Led by Communist party officials
China harshly punished people who oppose government
1989 more than 100,000 people gathered in Tiananmen Square in Beijing
Government tried to get protestors to leave
When protestors refused they used tanks and troops to make them leave
Hundreds were killed and many injured and imprisoned
Chinese believe that their guiding principals ( Four Cardinal Principals) outweigh certain human rights
Government regulates society with censorship of free speech

21. Environmental Problems
Pollution
Loss of forestland and farmland
Plans on using more hydroelectric power generated by dams
Built Three Gorges Dam

22. Three Gorges Dam Largest dam in the world Located on Yangtze River
Positives
Generated as much power as 15 coal burning power plants.
Negatives
The water of the dams reservoir now covers hundreds of towns and huge amounts of farmlands
Millions of people have had to move
Plant and animal habitats have been harmed

23. Japan Capital: Tokyo Geography Economy People
Smaller than California with four times the population
Economy
One of the world’s strongest fishing economies
Most of Japans food is imported
Trade in Japanese electronics has led to the diffusion of playing video games
People
Densely populated country
Most people live in crowded cities
Ex: In Tokyo they have started building underground
Some people live in rural villages where they work on farms
However most of the land in Japan is not arable
Language-nearly everyone speaks Japanese
Arable suitable for growing crops

24. Japanese Timeline

25. Japan History Heavily influenced by China
Buddhism
First central government based on China’s government
Has experienced more cultural diffusion from western nations than other countries in East Asia
For many centuries Emperors ruled Japan
At times emperors would become more concerned with art and when power would fade SHOGUNS would take control
1898 a group of samurai overthrew shoguns and gave control back to the emperor
WWII began 1939
Allied with Germany and Italy
Bombed Pearl Harbor
In return the United dropped two atomic bombs Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Japan surrendered

26. Japan Religion Most people blend elements of Buddhism and Shinto
Buddhism brought to Japan from Korea
Shinto is native to Island
Nature spirits called Kami live in the world
Believe everything in nature-the sun, moon, trees, rocks waterfall and animals has Kami
Build shrines to Kami and perform ceremonies to ask for their blessings

27. Japan Traditions and Customs
History lives on the traditions and customs
Kimonos-traditional robes for special occasions
Art
Two types of drama
Noh
use music and dance to tell a story
Actors do not move much and wear a mask using gestures to convey tale
Kabuki-
Actors are much more active
Tell stories as well as teach lessons

28. Japan
Government
Since the end of WWII has been headed by a constitutional monarchy headed by an emperor
Japan has a parliamentary system of government like Britain and Canada.
Unlike the Americans or the French, the Japanese do not elect a president directly.
Diet members elect a prime minister from among themselves.
The prime minister forms and leads the cabinet of ministers of state.

29. Check Your Understanding
How do you think the location of Japan affects the economy?
Why do you think only 10% of the population lives in western China?

30. Koreas-History
Korea was first unified by the Silla kingdom in A.D. 676.
The Buddhist temples of Seokguram and Bulguksa were built in A.D These temples illustrate the growth of Buddhism in Korea after it spread there from India and China in the 4th century.
The Mongols invaded Korea in 1231, beginning more than 120 years of Mongol rule.
An independent kingdom for much of its long history, Korea was occupied by Japan beginning in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War.
Split into North and South Korea in 1945 after WWII ending Japans 35 year occupation of Korea

31. North Korea Capital: Pyongyang
People
Language: Korean
Religion
traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian
Government
Communist state one-man dictatorship
Rule by ONE
Chief of state: KIM Jong Un (since 17 December 2011)
Suffer human rights abuse, poverty and widespread hunger
Government regulates society with censorship of free speech
Economy
Command Economy-Government plans the economy and decides what to produce
one of the world's most centrally directed and least open economies,
faces chronic economic problems.
Large-scale military spending draws off resources needed for investment and civilian consumption
Relies more on agricultural economic activity more than the other East Asian countries
Government plans the economy and decides what to produce

32. South Korea Capital: People Religion Government Economy
Language: Korean and English
Religion
Christian 31.6% (Protestant 24%, Roman Catholic 7.6%), Buddhist 24.2%, other or unknown 0.9%, none 43.3%
Government
Republic
divided into three branches: executive, judicial, and legislative
Economy
Over the past four decades has demonstrated incredible economic growth and global integration to become a high-tech industrialized economy
Twelfth largest economy in the world
South Korean has an economy that operates similar to Japan

33. Taiwan Capital: Taipei
People
Language: Mandarin Chinese
Religion
mixture of Buddhist and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%
Government
Multiparty Democracy
Taiwan's power is distributed among five large branches of government
Economy
dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing government guidance of investment and foreign trade.
Industries:
electronics, communications and information technology products, petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals

34. Taiwan
History
There is evidence of human settlement in Taiwan dating as far back as 30, 000–40, 000 years ago.
Chinese began settling Taiwan in 600s
Has been controlled by both Japan and China
Taiwanese didn't like the idea of becoming a part of Japan, and on May 25th 1895 –
with the help of the Manchu officials -- the Taiwan Republic , the first independent republic in Asia was established.
May 29th 1895, a Japanese military force of over 12,000 soldiers landed in Northern Taiwan, and began to destroy the movement.
On October 21st 1895, Japanese troops entered Tainan, the southern capital of the Taiwan Republic, ending the Taiwan Republic.
The Chinese government claims that Taiwan is a rebel part of China

35. Mongolia History 700 years ago one of the greatest powers in the world
Led by ruler Genghis Khan Mongols conquered much of Asia including China
Built the greatest empires during that time
Reach height in late 1200s
Empire stretched from Danube river in west to Pacific Ocean in east
1600’s China conquered Mongolia and ruled it for 200 years
With Russian help they gained Independence in 1911
1924 Communist gained control
1991 Collapse of Soviet Union they have struggled to build a democratic and free-market economy

36. Mongolia People Religion Government Economy
Sparsely populated: 3million people
Language: Khalkha Mongol 90% (official), Turkic, Russian
Half of the people live as nomads
Herding livestock across the vast grasslands
Religion
Buddhist 53%, Muslim 3%, Christian 2.2%, Shamanist 2.9%, other 0.4%, none 38.6%
Government
Parlimentary
Economy
extensive mineral deposits have transformed their economy
Main industries
Textiles, carpets, copper, coal and oil

37. Check your understanding
Which countries government is most like the Japan?
What accounts for most of the cultural diffusion in East Asia?