Rise Of Civilizations in China

1. Rise Of Civilizations in China

2. Geography Influences Civilization • China was isolated from the rest of the world. Deserts(TienShan,Gobi)-mountains (Himalayas)-rainforests-Pacific Ocean *Chinese believed they were the center of the earth and the only people on it for a long time. *Eventually traded with the Middle East

3. Huang River • Known as the Yellow River and The River of Sorrows • This is where Chinese Civilization began. • This was the location of their Neolithic Revolution • The people had to learn to control the river which flooded frequently.

4. Yellow River/River of Sorrows • Nicknamed Yellow River because of the LOESS or yellow soil that was deposited . • Nicknamed River of Sorrows because the deposits raised the water level which often caused flooding. • The flooding destroyed crops and caused mass starvation

5. Many Regions • China was made up of many regions due to the geography. • In the Rivers they farmed—largest populations • In the outlying regions they were nomadic • The climates were harsh in the areas of Xinjiang(Tibet) and Mongolia. • Often these nomads attacked. Sometimes Chinese rulers conquered these ppl.

6. The Shang Dynasty 1766 BC-1122BC • Palaces/Capital City at Anyang • Shang Drove out Nomads • Controlled a small area • Princes and Nobles governed most land • These ppl were heads of clans • Noble women had high status based on Fu Hao’s tomb. She was wife of King Wing Ding • She owned land, help lead an army.

7. Shang Social Classes • Top Level-Royal Family-Noble warriors • Middle Level-artisans-merchants • Bottom Level-Peasant farmers

8. Warriors • Used leather armor • Bronze weapons • Horse drawn chariots

9. Artisans/Merchants • Artisans-produced goods for Nobles bronze weapons-silk robes-jade jewelry Merchants-exchanged food and crafts for salt certain shells-and other goods not found in northeastern China

10. Zhou Dynasty Further Defines China • Overthrew the Shang • Promoted the Mandate of Heaven which says they have the divine right to rule • They used the last Shang king who was cruel to further this belief. • The Zhou treated the ppl well

11. Mandate of Heaven leads to the Dynastic Cycle • Belief that the rise and fall of dynasties correlated to whether a government was good for bad • Any bad weather like floods/hurricanes/droughts/famines all blamed for the loss of heavens support • Invasions also a sign of lost support

12. Feudal State Established • Developed under the Zhou • For support ppl were rewarded control over land regions • Governed their lands but owed support to ruler

13. Spurring Economic Growth • China’s economy grew under the Zhou • Ironworking reached China • Farmers produced more food with better tools • Peasant farmers grew new crops (soybeans) • Large irrigation projects helped farmers • Commerce Expands • Money used for first time • Roads and Canals built • Population Increased

14. Religious Beliefs Develop • Polytheistic • Main god-Shang Di-king was link between the ppl and the gods • The gods would not hear the prayers of the ppl..only the ancestors of rulers. • Called on the spirits of the ancestors to bring good fortunes • Westerners called this ancestor worship

15. Two Major Belief Systems • Confusionism • Daoism

16. Confucionism • A scholar who wanted to be an advisor to a local ruler • He couldn’t find a permanent gov’t position so he started teaching • Never wrote down his ideas • Students collected many of his sayings in a book the Analects • Mainly concerned with social order and good government • Wasn’t concerned about spiritual manners

17. Confucius Ideas • 5 Relationships • Harmony was accomplished when ppl accepted their place in society • No relationship was equal • Everyone had duties and responsibilities • Correct behavior would bring order and stabiltiy • Superiors should and set good example for inferiors • Inferiors owed loyalty and obedience to superiors

18. 5 relationships • Ruler to subject • Parent to child • Husband to wife • Elder brother to younger brother • Friend to friend (only equal relationship)

19. Other valuesof Confucius • Honesty • Hardwork • Concern for others • Do not do to others what you do not wish yourself • Best ruler a virtuous one who led by example

20. Confucius Belief’s Con’t • Rulers should provide good government and ppl would be good followers and show respect. • Leaders should be well educated…he believed education is what set men apart.

21. The Influence of Confucianism • His ideas permeated Chinese life for centuries. • Filial piety strengthened the belief of ancestor worship. • 2 forces of Yin/Yang • Yin-Earth, darkness, female • Yang-Heaven, light and male • There had to be a balance between the two. • Korea-Japan-Vietnam accepted beliefs

22. Daoism • Laozi or “Old Master” • Lived while Confucius was alive • Founded Daoism • Wrote Book The Way of Virtue • Not concerned with order of human affairs • Believed ppl should life in harmony with nature • People should focus on the “dao” or the way

23. Daoism Con’t • To achieve this ppl had to look past everyday cares • Reject conflict and strife. • Those who know it do not speak of it. • Should not yield..be like water under pressure. • Most daoist are hermits, poets, artists • Thought governments were unnatural • Less government the better

24. Together • Confuciansim/Daoism blended together. Took beliefs from each one. Confucius how to behave …daoism the natural world • Daoism became like a religion with gods and goddess.

25. Achievements in China • Silk making—silk worm and mulberry bush…kept secret for hundreds of years • Only royalty could afford the silk robes • Big trade commodity • Oracle bones…heated til cracked then interpreted. • Complex language…hard to learn to read and write • Calligraphy and First books