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Geography of the Middle Kingdom The ancient Chinese called their land Zhongguo -isolated from the rest of the civilized world -long distances and physical barriers separated it from Egypt, India, and the Middle East. -believed they were the center of the Earth (ethnocentric) Geographic Barriers -Tien mountains and the Himalayas -brutal deserts, and thick jungles -had contact with nomadic people, yet lacked the skills and achievements of settled societies. Major Rivers -Yellow river -Yangzi "River of Sorrows" (Huang He valley) river floods causing mass destruction China under Shang About 1650 B.C. Chinese people called the Shang gained control of Northern China -During this time Chinese civilization took shape Government -National defense was important to keep out nomadic invaders -Princes and nobles ruled most of Shang's land -In charge of clans (groups of people who claim a common ancestor) Social Classes -Same social system of earlier civilizations Peasant Life -Represented the majority of people -Led grueling lives, all family members worked in the fields Zhou Dynasty 1027 B.C. The Zhou overthrew the Shang Mandate of Heaven- divine right to rule -used this to justify overthrowing the Shang Dynastic Cycle- the rise and fall of dynasties -As long as a dynasty provided good government, it enjoyed the mandate of Heaven -But if the rulers were weak and corrupt, the Chinese believe they could be overthrown -Floods, famine, or other catastrophes were signs a dynasty lost favor with the gods Feudal State Feudalism- system of government in which local lords governed their own lands but owed military service and other support to their ruler Economic Growth During the Zhou period, the economy grew -knowledge of ironworking reached China in 500 B.C. -farming became more productive as a result of making advances in farm equipment -Chinese began to use money, made trade easier -New roads, and canals were produced as well Chinese Achievements Silkmaking- by 1000 B.C. the Chinese discovered how to make silk thread from cocoons of silkworms -only Nobles and royalty could afford the silks -Silk became China's most valuable export The First Books -Chinese made the first books -included histories and religious works Book of Songs- poems that describes the lives of farming people, also included love songs Chapter 4 section 2 (Gupta empire) Division and Unity India was seldom united -foreign invaders pushed through mountain passes into Northern India -Came to plunder rich Indian cities -Despite frequent invasions, India became the center of world trade by 100 B.C. -Indian textiles, gems, incense, and spices were widely in demand Kingdoms of the Deccan Most goods shipped to Rome came from the Deccan -Divided into many kingdoms -Women enjoyed high status -Most people were Dravidians Golden Age of the Guptas Most powerful Indian states rose in the North -about 500 years after the Mauryas, the Guptas came into power -Under the Guptas, Indians enjoyed a Golden Age -Most power was left to individual villages and city governments Strong Rulers Unite China Triumph of the First Emperor Shi Huangdi (first emperor of China) -Goal was to unite China -Abolished the feudal states, and divided China into 36 military districts -ruled by appointed officials -inspectors sent by Shi Huangdi kept an eye on officials Divided noble family’s land among peasants Promoting Unity -standardized weights and measurements -coins -Chinese writing -Repaired roads and canals Harsh laws Shi Huangdi was harsh on his critics -Jailed or tortured those who opposed his rule -Especially hated noble lords, and Confucian scholars -Book burning (ordered all philosophy books burned) The Great Wall Shi Huangdi's greatest achievement was the great wall -Suppose to protect them from invaders, but failed -Built by peasants, and even criminals -Many workers died due to harsh conditions -Became an important symbol of Chinese power Collapse of the Qin Shi Huangdi died in 210 B.C. People were angry over: -Taxes -Forced labor -Cruel laws (led to revolts) An illiterate peasant leader named Liu Bang, took over the Qin -claimed the mandate of Heaven -Started the Han Dynasty The Han Dynasty Emperor Liu Bang took the title Gao Zu -goal was to set order and justice to his empire -lowered taxes -appointed Confucian scholars as advisors Strengthening the Government Most famous Han emperor of the Han Dynasty was Wudi -Chose Confucian Officials (like Liu Bang) -Imposed a government monopoly on iron and salt Wudi earned the name "The Warrior Emperor" -Endless campaigns to secure and expand China's borders The Silk Road -Linked China and the West for centuries -New food such as grapes, figs, cucumbers, and walnuts -Bandits and outlaws would rob goods along the silk road -grew to be 4,000 miles long, linking China to the Fertile Crescent Han Society Scholar-officials -made Confucianism the official belief system of the empire -relied on well-educated scholars run the bureaucracy Civil service Examinations -Han officials adopted the idea that officials should win positions based upon merit, not family background. -To find the most qualified officials, they set up system of examinations -Any man could take the test, usually only wealthy people took the test -Women could not take exam Han achievements -Han scientists wrote texts on chemistry, zoology, botany, and other subjects -astronomers measured movements of the planets and stars -improved calendars, and timekeeping devices For its time, the Han dynasty was the most advanced civilization -shipbuilding -fishing reels -wheelbarrows -suspension bridges Collapse of the Han Dynasty Weak rulers let canals and roads fall into disrepair -Peasants revolted due to high taxes -Invaders poured into China through the Great Wall
