Early Civilization in China Chapter 3 Sec. 3

1. Early Civilization in ChinaChapter 3 Sec. 3 Mr. Marsh Columbus North High School

2. Geography of China • Chinese called their land Zhonggua (JONG goo AW) or Middle Kingdom • Very isolated which contributed to the Chinese belief that China was the center and sole source of the Earths civilization

3. River of Sorrows • The yellow river was also known as the River of Sorrows • Major floods along the river destroyed many small farming communities • Chinese had to learn to control the Yellow River • Fear of floods can be seen in the written symbol for misfortune (see page 60)

4. The First Dynasty • Shang about 1650 BC -1027 BC • Controlled the northern section of China along the Yellow River • Government • Archaeologists have uncovered large palaces of rich tombs of Shang rulers • Kings controlled small areas of land • Loyal princes and nobles governed most of the land • These local rulers were apart of Clans • Clans- groups of families who claimed a common ancestor • China was closer to the City-States of Sumer than to Egypt

5. Social Class • Shang society mirrored that of other ancient civilizations • Most people during the Shang dynasty were peasants

6. Religious Beliefs • Chief goddess was Shang Di (mother goddess who brought plants and animals to earth) • It was believed that god like Shang Di would not answer the call of a common mortal • So families would pray to there ancestors to talk to Shang Di

7. Yin and the Yang • The Universe is a delicate balance between two forces • Yin • Earth, darkness and female force • Yang • Heaven, light and male force • A well balanced universe required both Yin and Yang

8. Writing • Oldest forms of Chinese writing have been discovered on Animal bones and turtle shells • Oracle Bones- were believed to be apart of rituals by ancient priests • Very difficult language • Over 10,000 characters

9. Zhou Dynasty • 1027BC came from the west and overthrew the Shang Dynasty • Claimed the “Mandate of Heaven” • Zhou families claimed that the Shang king had upset the gods and called for his removal • This claim brought forth what was to be known as the Dynastic Cycle (see page 64) THAT CHART NEEDS TO BE IN YOUR NOTES!!!!!!!!!!

10. Feudal State • A system known as Feudalism developed in China during the Zhou dynasty • Feudalism – a system of government in which local lords governed their own lands but paid taxes and military services to the King

11. Economic Growth • Ironworking reached China by 500 BC • Iron allowed farmers to be more productive and produce more food • China began to use coin money • Chinese money has a Hole in the center WHY? • Economic expansion lead to increase population and trade

12. Chinese Achievements • Astronomers studied the plants movement • Could predict lunar and solar eclipses • Development of a accurate 365 ¼ day calendar • Silk • By 1000 BC women in china learned to weave Silk from the cocoons of silkworms • Major demand for Silk lead to trade with India which became known as the “Silk Road”

13. Strong Rulers Unite ChinaChapter 4 sec. 5 Mr. Marsh Columbus North High School

14. Shi Huangdi and the Qin Dynasty • 221 B.C. Zhen (JUHNG) united China and declared himself Shi Huangdi (SHEE hoo ahng DEE) or 1st Emperor • Legalism was used to control society in China • Shi Huangdi abolished feudalism and replaced the feudal states with 36 military districts

15. Unity Imposed • Shi Huangdi forced nobles to move to the capital and the nobles lands were distributed to the peasants • Standardized weights and measures and created 1 coin instead of the 100s that existed before in the Zhou Dynasty • Workers repaired and extended roads • All cart axles had to be the same distance apart

16. Great Wall

17. Collapse of the Qin • When Shi Huangdi died in 210 B.C. so did the Qin Dynasty • Liu Bang (LEE OO BAHNG) • An illiterate peasant lead his army and defeated many rival armies to become the new emperor and started the next dynasty • The Han Dynasty • 206 B.C. – 220 A.D.

18. The Han Dynasty • Silk Road to the West Opened during the Han Dynasty • During Emperors Wudi’s reign many government monopolies were created to control supply of grains, silks and other products • Major expansion of territory

19. Scholar-Officials and Civil Service Exams • Han emperors made Confucianism the official belief system of the state. • Han emperors adopted the idea that government officials should win positions by merit rather than family background. • System of exams given at the local, state and national levels

20. Achievements of the Hans • Science • Great advancements in chemistry, zoology and botany. Han astronomers figured out a accurate calendar that could predict lunar and solar eclipses • Medicine • acupuncture • Technology • Most technologically advanced civilization. • Durable paper made from wood pulp, advanced ship building and invented the rudder, suspension bridges

21. Fall of the Han • By 220 A.D. ambitious warlords overthrew the last Han emperor. • After 400 years of unity China was broken up once again into many small states