Chapter 4 – Ancient Chinese Civilization

1. Chapter 4 – Ancient Chinese Civilization

2. Section 1: Geographic and Cultural Influences • Ancient Chinese civilization flourished from 1500 BC to AD 589 • Four major dynasties existed during this time: • Shang • Zhou • Qin • Han

3. Three major rivers: • Yellow River • Yangtze River • Xi River

5. Geography: • The Yellow River has been nicknamed “China’s Sorrow” because of many devastating floods • China developed isolated from India and the West: • Farther away, rugged mountains, and harsh deserts • Influenced by fewer other cultures than any other ancient civilization

6. Considered nomads to the north and west to be culturally inferior • Called themselves the “Middle Kingdom” • Thought they were the center of world • Strong sense of identity and superiority • Believed people were only fully civilized if they learned Chinese language and adopted Chinese customs • Invaders eventually lost identities and were absorbed into China’s population

7. Chinese Writing • Chinese writing has been found dating back to the Shang Dynasty, around 1200 BC. Writing was originally done on oracle bones, usually turtle shells or ox scapulae. Bones with writing were put in the fire and the cracks formed were used to answer questions as a form of “fortune telling.” • Writing was eventually done on bronze and later paper. • Writing was standardized during the Qin dynasty (221 BC). • Today, educated Chinese people know about 4000 characters.

8. The Xia • Chinese legend tells of Yu, a mythological figure who drained away floodwaters so people could live in China • Yu established a line of kings called the Xia • The Xia rule over the region starting in about 2200 BC • The developed agriculture and used written symbols • They lacked methods to control irrigation and floods

9. Shang Dynasty • Swept into Yellow River valley between 1750 – 1500 BC • First dynasty • Strengthened their rule by introducing irrigation and flood control systems • Used war chariots and bronze weapons to defend kingdom’s borders • Economy based on agriculture

10. Continuously battled warlike neighboring states • Military was finally exhausted • Overthrown by Zhou dynasty in 1050 BC

11. Zhou Dynasty • Longest-lasting dynasty • No centralized government • Believed in “Mandate of Heaven” • God chose rulers • Local leaders fought amongst themselves • One of the Warring States, the Qin, took over as rulers

12. Qin Dynasty • Came to power through military force, around 221 BC • Lasted only 15 years • Name “China” comes from Qin • Established autocracy – emperor held total power • Forced people to build Great Wall of China • Discontent caused a rebel army to overthrow the empire – founded Han dynasty

13. Great Wall of China

15. Terra cotta Army • The terracotta army is located in the tomb of the first Qin Dynasty ruler Shihuangdi • It represents the emperor’s ability to control the resources of the newly unified China. • It also shows his attempt to recreate and maintain that empire in the afterlife. • The Terra-Cotta Warriors - YouTube

16. Han Dynasty • In power for 400 years • Many Chinese today call themselves “People of Han” • Empire larger than the Roman Empire • Established a civil service system to run government

17. The Han Empire

18. Trade prospered along Silk Road • Stretched from China across central Asia to Mediterranean region • Camel caravans carried jade, silk, and paper to Greeks and Romans • Caravans returned to China with gold, silver, and wool • Fell to nomadic people around AD 220 • A Chinese general reunified China in AD 581

19. The Silk Road

20. Culture: • Mostly small village farmers • Inventions include: SEISMOGRAPH PRINTING PAPER ACUPUNCTURE SUNDIAL COMPASS GUNPOWDER PORCELAIN SILK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmHkOHs00Bo