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Ancient China
China’s Past
Picturing Chinese History
• China’s past began about 4000 years ago
• Early people in China made their homes in
the Huang River Valley.
• In China, writing, art and artifacts, and
archaeological remains reveal a culture
that remained mostly unified over
centuries.
• Writing is a key part of this evidence
Ancient Voices
• Acccording to Chinese legend, Pangu was the
creator of the universe.
• Stories of “superheroes” that invented useful
things or taught people how to survive by finding
food emerged later.
• These stories date to a time know as the Xia
legendary period about 2000-1700 B.C.
• The tales of Xia formed a bridge between
prehistory and the time when Chinese history
began to be formally recorded.
Shang Dynasty
• It was the first dynasty and began between
1760 and 1500 B.C.
• Bronze was used for many tools, cups,
and weapons, as well as trade goods
• Oracle bones were important to the people
The Longest Dynasty
• Zhou people came from the west of the Huang’s
great river bend in 1027 B.C. a Zhou leader’s
army conquered the army of the last Shang ruler
and the Zhou dynasty began
• Longest dynasty lasting more than 800 years
• Most people were farmers who grew rice, wheat,
beans, and fruit
• Silk was an important product of the Zhou
economy.
Eastern Zhou Dynasties
• Second part of the Zhou dynasty began
around 770 B.C and lasted until 221 B.C.
• This period is often referred to as the
“golden age” in China
• A new system of money encouraged trade,
and the economy thrived.
• Iron was used to make farm tools and
weapons
• New philosophies emerged
The First Emperor
• In 221 B.C. the king of the strongest state, Qin
became Shi Huangdi or “first emperor” under the
Qin dynasty
• Qin was divided into 36 provinces
• Shi Huangdi made the government more
centralized by forming new states to bring all
areas under his rule
• Systems of money, weights, and measures were
standardized, helping trade between regions
More on Shi Huangdi
• Started one of the biggest engineering
projects in world history, the Great Wall of
China
• The Great Wall was built to protect the
empire from northern invaders
• Took centuries to complete
• The Qin dynasty lasted on 20 years
ending in 206 B.C. after Shi Huangdi’s
death
Han Dynasty
• Began in 206 B.C. and lasted until A.D. 220 and
eventually stretched as far south as what is now Vietnam
and Cambodia
• First Han ruler was Gaozu meaning “High Ancestor”
• He lifted a ban on books imposed by Shi Huangdi
• More improvements were made under Wu Di who ruled
from 141-87 B.C.
• Advancements in trade and transportation helped unite
Chinese culture during the Han dynasty
Wu Di’s changes
• Divided lands owned by princes and lords
• Took away power from those people who
challenged him
• Taxed imported and exported trade goods
• Built new roads to improve transportation
• Valued the contributions of scholars and
teachers
• Historian named Sima Qian wrote the first
complete history book on China, it
recorded 3,000 years of Chinese history
• Another improvement under Wu Di was
civil service
– For the first time officials had to take civil
service exams to work for the government
– This helped ensure that government officials
were trained for their positions
Inventions
• New ways of trading
– Use of middlemen who went between buyers
and sellers
• Porcelain, paper, and ink were created
– Books were now available to more people