Download Ancient China Study Guide - Andrews Social Studies

Ancient China Study Guide
Unit Vocabulary:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Shang Dynasty – the first Chinese Dynasty which historians have clear evidence. (1766 to 1122 BCE)
Dynasty - a series of rulers from the same family
Zhou Dynasty – overthrew the Shang Dynasty; lasted longer than any other dynasty; ruled by Mandate of Heaven, or heaven gave power
to the king or leader, and no one ruled without heaven’s permission. (1122-256 BCE)
Mandate of Heaven - heaven gave power to the king or leader, and no one ruled without heaven’s permission.
Confucius – the most influential teacher in Chinese history; said Chinese needed to return to moral values.
Confucianism – a philosophy with basic guidelines of moral values restoring family order and social harmony.
Ethics – moral values
Daoism – a philosophy which stressed living in harmony with the Dao (the way), the guiding force of all reality.
Laozi – the most famous Daoist teacher; taught people should not try to gain wealth, nor should they seek power.
Legalism – a political philosophy with the belief that people were bad by nature and needed to be controlled
Qin Dynasty – fist dynasty to unify China under one government; China receives its name from Qin. (221-206 BCE)
Qin Shi Huangdi – “first emperor” of China who followed Legalist political beliefs; created a strong central government with strict laws
and punishments.
Great Wall of China – a barrier that linked earlier walls across China’s northern frontier; 600s BCE to about 1450s A.D.
Han Dynasty – a Chinese Dynasty lasting for more than 400 years; government based on Confucianism; great achievements occurred.
(206 BCE – 220 A.D.)
Silk – a soft, light, highly valued fabric
Silk Road – a 4,000-mile-long network of routes stretched westward from China across Asia’s deserts and mountain ranges, through the
Middle East, until it reached the Mediterranean Sea.
Buddhism - a religion or “way of life” based on the teachings of the Buddha
Unit Essential Questions:

How did China’s location impact its development? What about the geography of China BEST explains why civilizations began in that area?





What is Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism? How are they similar & different? How did they impact society in China?
How did Chinese Dynasties (government, rulers, rules) impact life in ancient China?
How did the Silk Road impact: religion, government, and trade/economy
What are some of the achievements of ancient China? How do they impact modern society?
Ancient China Study Guide
Unit Vocabulary:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Shang Dynasty – the first Chinese Dynasty which historians have clear evidence. (1766 to 1122 BCE)
Dynasty - a series of rulers from the same family
Zhou Dynasty – overthrew the Shang Dynasty; lasted longer than any other dynasty; ruled by Mandate of Heaven, or heaven gave power
to the king or leader, and no one ruled without heaven’s permission. (1122-256 BCE)
Mandate of Heaven - heaven gave power to the king or leader, and no one ruled without heaven’s permission.
Confucius – the most influential teacher in Chinese history; said Chinese needed to return to moral values.
Confucianism – a philosophy with basic guidelines of moral values restoring family order and social harmony.
Ethics – moral values
Daoism – a philosophy which stressed living in harmony with the Dao (the way), the guiding force of all reality.
Laozi – the most famous Daoist teacher; taught people should not try to gain wealth, nor should they seek power.
Legalism – a political philosophy with the belief that people were bad by nature and needed to be controlled
Qin Dynasty – fist dynasty to unify China under one government; China receives its name from Qin. (221-206 BCE)
Qin Shi Huangdi – “first emperor” of China who followed Legalist political beliefs; created a strong central government with strict laws
and punishments.
Great Wall of China – a barrier that linked earlier walls across China’s northern frontier; 600s BCE to about 1450s A.D.
Han Dynasty – a Chinese Dynasty lasting for more than 400 years; government based on Confucianism; great achievements occurred.
(206 BCE – 220 A.D.)
Silk – a soft, light, highly valued fabric
Silk Road – a 4,000-mile-long network of routes stretched westward from China across Asia’s deserts and mountain ranges, through the
Middle East, until it reached the Mediterranean Sea.
Buddhism - a religion or “way of life” based on the teachings of the Buddha
Unit Essential Questions:

How did China’s location impact its development? What about the geography of China BEST explains why civilizations began in that area?




What is Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism? How are they similar & different? How did they impact society in China?
How did Chinese Dynasties (government, rulers, rules) impact life in ancient China?
How did the Silk Road impact: religion, government, and trade/economy
What are some of the achievements of ancient China? How do they impact modern society?