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Ancient China Dynasties

Ancient China Dynasties. Dynasties. Several dynasties ruled China. Dynasties are families that rule for several generations. Dynasties. The four dynasties which ruled Ancient China were: Shang (1523-1028 BCE) Zhou (1027-256 BCE) Qin (221-206 BCE) Han (206 BCE-220 CE).

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Ancient China Dynasties

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  1. Ancient China Dynasties

  2. Dynasties • Several dynasties ruled China. Dynasties are families that rule for several generations.

  3. Dynasties • The four dynasties which ruled Ancient China were: • Shang (1523-1028 BCE) • Zhou (1027-256 BCE) • Qin (221-206 BCE) • Han (206 BCE-220 CE)

  4. Ancient Chinese Empire(c.3500 - 589 CE)

  5. Mandate from Heaven • Chinese believed that gods gave their Kings the power to rule. This is called the “Mandate from Heaven”.

  6. Shang Dynasty • 1750-1500 B.C. Invaders called the Shang swept into the Huang River Valley. • Introduced irrigation and flood-control systems into the region. • By controlling these systems, the Shang could more easily control theregion’s people.

  7. Shang Government • Created a complex bureaucracy: government organized into different levels and tasks. • A hereditary King ruled over all land in the kingdom • War chariots and bronze weapons were used to defend against invaders. • Military might and well-organized government allowed the Shang to gain territory.

  8. Shang Economy and handicrafts • Economy was based mainly on agriculture: millet and rice. • Raised silkworms so that they could spin thread from the cocoons and wove silk cloth from the thread.

  9. Artisans • Artisans worked in bone, ivory, and jade. Pottery and ceramic art was very popular.

  10. Astronomy and the calendar • Two calendars: one based on the sun and one based on the moon. • Moon Calendar: record of private and public events. • Planting was determined by the calendar. A good harvest meant popularity for the king. Therefore the priest-astronomers were important.

  11. Religion • Combinedanimism (the belief that spirits inhabit everything)—with ancestor worship • Dragon became symbol of Chinese rulers • They also worshipped gods of the wind, sun, clouds, and moon. POLYTHEISTIC • The Shang also believed in Shangdi, a great god who controlled human destiny and forces of nature.

  12. Religion • Oracle Bones: the shoulder bones of cattle or tortoise shells. • The priests heated the bones and interpreted the cracks that would appear.

  13. Language and Writing. • Many dialects were spoken. • The Chinese method of writing, each character stands for an idea, not a sound. • People in all parts of China could learn the same system of writing. • To be barely literate one had to know 1,000 characters. (Not just 26 letters)

  14. Language and Writing • Writing was limited to a small number of specialists: clerks, scribes, and teachers. • It demanded much study and practice, therefore workers, had little time for such luxury.

  15. Social Classes • The civilization was sharply divided between nobles and peasants. • These noble familiesowned the land. • They would send tribute to the Shang ruler in exchange for local control.

  16. Family • The family was central to Chinese society. The most important virtue was respect for one’s parents. • Women were treated as inferiors. • When a girl was between 13 and 16 years old, her marriage was arranged.

  17. The Fall of the Shang Dynasty • 1200B.C. : Herders from the harsh Gobi desert and the Tian Shan foothills began moving in and settling along the borders. • The Shang were almost continuously fighting them off. • The extended military efforts exhausted the Shang rulers.

  18. The Fall • 1050 B.C • The Zhou formed an alliance and overthrew the Shang, claiming the Shang were corrupt and unfit to rule.

  19. Zhou Dynasty 1027-256 BCE

  20. The new ruler from the Qin dynasty • Shi Huangdi– was a new emperor who would unify and expand China. • Believed in legalism and tried to destroy Confucianism! • He believed in a strong central government

  21. Movie • http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=426c4a53-6e23-4390-bfcb-9ab11f75df57&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=HUB

  22. The Great Wall • Shi Huangdi wanted a long wall along China’s northern boarders to keep out nomadic invaders. • They Great Wall of China was built of earth, stone and bricks • Shi Huangdi forced many peasants and criminals to build the Great Wall. • Many workers died from the labor • As time went on to other dynasties the wall got larger and larger.

  23. Movie • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23oHqNEqRyo

  24. The Qin Dynasty Ends • Shi Huangdi died in 210 BC • He was buried in an elaborate tomb • An army of Terracotta soldiers, baked in clay, were buried nearby to guard his tomb.

  25. Movie • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsUE-ZtcUFg

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