Download Shang Dynasty - Warren County Public Schools

China
A River Civilization
Geography
Flooding was good for the soil
but bad that it killed many
people. Soil had a yellowish
color to it.
Only 1/10 of the land could be
farmed because most of the
country was mostly desert
and mountains.
Many settled along the Yellow
River (Huang He) and the
Yangtze River (Chang Jiang).
Social Classes
Landowning Aristocrats - very wealthy; fathers
divided their land and gave to their sons. Farmers
rented land and payed the land owners with crops
90% of Ancient China were farmers.
Aristocrats
Peasant Farmers
Merchants
Even though
many merchants
became rich,
they were still
looked down
upon by
Aristocrats and
farmers.
Big Families
People had big families to help with the farming.
more crops = more bling!
Filial Piety-children had to respect their parents and older relatives.
Oldest Male in charge (the son could be in charge of his mother, and
mother had to obey him). Family members placed the needs and desires
of the head of the family before their own!
Men were respected, they farmed, attended school, ran government and
fought wars. Women tended to the house and raised children.
Confucianism
551-479 B.C.
Confucius - China’s 1st great thinker/teacher who wanted to
end China’s problems and bring peace.
He believed:
That people needed to have a “sense of duty.” Someone that
would put the needs of their family and community above
their own.
Honor your promises, educate yourself, avoid bad people.
All men had a talent to govern and it was their duty to
participate in government.
If everyone performed their duty, then society as a whole
would do well.
What is the Dao?
- It is the force that
guides all things!
Daoism
500 BC - 300 BC
Created by Laozi, “The Old Master”
Loazi believed:
Historians
are not sure
if Laozi
was real or
not!
People should give up worldly desires in favor
of nature and the Dao.
Give up on concerns about the world, seek
inner peace and live with nature.
Legalism
200s BC
Created by Hanfeizi
He believed:
That humans are naturally evil!
People need harsh laws and stiff punishments
to force them to do their duties.
A strong leader is needed to rule government.
Chinese Dynasties
Shang Dynasty
- Ruled most of the Huang He
Valley.
Zhou Dynasty
- Created by Wu Wang. An
aristocrat who led a rebellion
against the Shang.
- 2 Social Classes: The king and
his family, then everyone else!
- Longest dynasty. 800 years!
- Kings wanted to keep the gods
happy, and the spirits of the
valleys and mountains satisfied.
- Wrote on oracle bones;
cracked bone & it showed
answers
- Big gap between rich and poor.
- Set up bureaucracy of aristocrats.
In charge of smaller territories.
- Believed the king was the link
between heaven and earth. Had to
make the gods happy!
- Ruled through the Mandate of
Heaven.
Dynasty’s
Qin Shihuangdi
- Strict ruler practiced legalism.
- Increased his own power and
took away power from
aristocrats.
- Unified China. Created one
currency, built more roads, and
built the first Great Wall.
- Dynasty was overthrown after
his death.
Han
- Founded by Liu Bang.
- Population went from 20 to 60
million
- Civil Service Exam - had to
pass to fill government position,
only wealthy people passed
because only ones educated.
- Inventions include: paper,
rubber, steel, sailboat rudders, &
acupuncture.
- Sent explorers all over world.
Was the basis for founding the
Silk Road.
Great Wall of China-1500 miles long. First original structure was not the
wall that you know today. Built for protection from Nomadic tribes from
Mongolia and to prevent goods from being smuggled out. This is the World’s
longest human structure!
Silk Road - 4000 miles long, it was a VERY important trade route. They traded
spices, porcelain, silk, and tea. Very dangerous and expensive to trade goods
because you had to pay each kingdom to cross their land.