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The Bronze Age

The Bronze Age. China. Geography. One of the greatest food-producing areas of the ancient world developed in the valleys of two rivers in China–the Huang He (Yellow River, so named for its rich, yellow silt) and the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River). Early Yellow Valley Civilization.

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The Bronze Age

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  1. The Bronze Age China

  2. Geography • One of the greatest food-producing areas of the ancient world developed in the valleys of two rivers in China–the Huang He (Yellow River, so named for its rich, yellow silt) and the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River).

  3. Early Yellow Valley Civilization • Developed out of Neolithic settlements in Yellow River Valley • 1750 – 1122 BC • SHANG DYNASTY

  4. Yellow River Economy • Only 10% of China can be used for farming b/c of mountains and deserts • The yellow river valley in particular lacked written language for an extensive period. • Because of this, documented economics are rare. What is known is that the civilization primarily focused on day to day agriculture, rather than spontaneous growth.

  5. Yellow River Government • ZHOU DYNASTY • 1045 – 256 BC • King was believed to connect Heaven and Earth

  6. Yellow River Government • Mandate of Heaven: • Rulers had special permission from the gods to rule but this permission could be revoked and given to another family if the current rulers misused their authority

  7. Yellow River Social Structure • King ruled from the capital city of Anyang. • His kingdom was divided into different territories that were ruled by aristocratic warlords(military leaders).

  8. Yellow River Family Life • Family is very important for the Chinese culture. The authority of the family belongs to the father. • A typical Chinese family contains a mother, father the sons and the unmarried daughters live in the home together.

  9. Warring States Period • Around 300 BC, the northwestern state of Qin began to conquer neighboring states • Known as the Warring States Period in Chinese History

  10. Consolidation of China • Qin Shi Huangdi:The First EmperorShi Huangdi • He introduced the following to China under the Qin Dynasty • Centralized administrative system • Standard system of weights and measures • Uniform coinage system • Simplified standard alphabet • Began work on the Great Wall!

  11. The Great Wall • Shi Huangdi accomplished his work in only ten years • Drove his people mercilessly • Imposed heavy taxes, imposed forced labor, and brutally crushed all hints of dissent

  12. Fall of the Qin Dynasty • He became obsessed with finding a magic potion that would give him eternal life in last years • Died in 210 BC while on a quest to find magic potion. • His empire collapsed immediately in the midst of civil war Emperor Qin Shi Hunagdi

  13. Yellow River New Ruler • Han Dynasty • 206 BC-220 AD • Founded by Lui Bang • Former bandit leader • Lui Bang continued centralizing policies of Shi Huangdi but went easier on his people.

  14. Han Dynasty • Restored Confucian principals • Period of prosperity • Lowered taxes • Curtailed forced labor • Lightened up on repression • Put Han Dynasty on firm foundation that would last 400 years

  15. Han Dynasty • Greatest of the Han emperors • 157-87 BC • Extended Han power into Tibet, Korea, and Mongolia • Established relations with Japan • Began work on the “Silk Road” • Trade route that stretched from China, through India and the Middle East, and into Europe

  16. The Silk Road and Cultural Diffusion

  17. Yellow River Religion • From 500 to 200 B.C., three schools of thought about human nature and the universe developed in China– • Confucianism • Daoism • Legalism

  18. Yellow River Religion Laozi. (the founder) • Daoism’s chief ideas are in the book Tao Te Ching (The Way of the Dao). • Daoists believe that the way to follow the Dao is inaction, not action. • People should act spontaneously and let nature take its course.

  19. Daoism/Taoism Yin/Yang symbolized harmonious action of nature and duality light and dark high and low hot and cold fire and water life and death male and female sun and moon

  20. Confusionism • Confucius was known to the Chinese as the First Teacher. • He was born in 551 B.C. • Motivated by Chinese society’s moral decay and violence, Confucius tried to convince those in power to follow his ideas

  21. Confuciuism • Duty & Humanity Ideas 5 Constant Relationships: • Parent to child • Husband to wife • Older sibling to younger sibling • Older friend to younger friend • Ruler to subject • His ideas were political and ethical, not spiritual.

  22. Legalism • Unlike Confucianism or Daoism, Legalism believed human beings were essentially evil. • Legalism’s formula for social order was having a strong ruler and harsh, impersonal laws, both of which made people obedient through fear

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