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Ancient Chinese Civilizations

Ancient Chinese Civilizations. GEOGRAPHIC AND CULTURAL INFLUENCES. Mountains cut off China from the west Isolated, China developed its own distinctive culture. Geography (cont). Huang He (Yellow River) and the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River) Only 10% of China could be farmed

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Ancient Chinese Civilizations

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  1. Ancient Chinese Civilizations

  2. GEOGRAPHIC AND CULTURAL INFLUENCES • Mountains cut off China from the west • Isolated, China developed its own distinctive culture.

  3. Geography (cont) • Huang He (Yellow River) and the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River) • Only 10% of China could be farmed • One of the greatest food-producing areas of the ancient world

  4. Shang Dynasty • Had an established bureaucracy • Introduced simple irrigation and flood control systems • Believed in animism and ancestor worship • Used oracle bones

  5. Zhou (joh) Dynasty • Overthrew Shang Dynasty about 1050 B.C. • No centralized form of government • granted territories • Believed in the Mandate of Heaven – “God of Heaven determines who should rule”

  6. Qin (chin) Dynasty • Came to power through military might • Ruled by Cheng – ‘1st Emperor’ • Word China comes from Cheng

  7. Qin (cont) Autocracy – emperor had total power Began a 1,500 mile long section of what is now the Great Wall of China Lasted only 15 years

  8. Han Dynasty • Liu Bang, peasant who became general, led overthrow of Qin Dynasty • Lasted 400 years

  9. Han(cont) • Created civil service • System of exams to select most qualified person • Leveling – govt price controls to balance economy • Silk Road – trade route across Asia

  10. Wu 1750 B.C. Xia

  11. Philosophies • Confucianism – taught importance of family, respect for one’s elders, and reverence for the past and one’s ancestors • Ideas were political and ethical, not spiritual • Civil service was born out of Confucianism

  12. Philosophies (cont) • Daoism – people should withdraw from world & live in harmony • Do not strive for material wealth & should not seek power • The way to follow the Dao is inaction, not action • People should act spontaneously and let nature take its course

  13. Philosophies (cont) • Legalism– believed in power, not virtue and in harsh laws • People are selfish and untrustworthy • Social order requires a strong ruler and harsh, impersonal laws, both of which made people obedient through fear

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