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Huang River Valley The Cradle of Chinese Civilization I. Geography and Climate A. China is very large with lots of variety 1. 2. 3. 4. Mountains in the west Desert in the north Open Plain in the southeast Coastline in east and southeast B. Climate 1. Northern China a. b. 2. Main crop was wheat More extreme temperatures, shorter growing season Southern China a. b. Main crop was rice Milder temperatures C. Main River Systems 1. Huang – called Yellow River because of its loess a. Loess is a rich soil that has a yellow tint b. Also called China’s sorrow because of devastating floods 2. 3. Chang- over 3,400 miles long Xi- Southern China II. Culture A. Geographically isolated- very little cultural diffusion B. Thought everyone else was uncivilized. C. Referred to themselves as Zhongguo or Middle Kingdom III. The Shang Dynasty A. Ancient China started on the Huang River 1. Called the Xia dynasty, they were invaded by the Shang. B. Government and Culture 1. The Shang moved their capital several times 2. Created a Bureaucracy– government with different levels and responsibilities 3. Had an advanced military a. b. Chariots Bronze weapons C. Economy and handicrafts 1. Economy based mainly on agriculture a. Rice 2. Made silk from silkworms 3. Bone crafts, ivory and jade 4. Ceramic art a. Glazing and firing clay to make strong pottery D. Astronomy and calendars 1. Used two calendars a. b. Solar used for planting Lunar used for personal events E. Religion 1. 2. 3. 4. Believed in animism and ancestor worship Also worshipped the sun, wind, clouds and moon One main god, Shangdi, controlled everything Priest used oracle bones to interpret dreams F. Language and Writing 1. Spoke many dialects 2. Early text was pictographs, later became calligraphy G. Fall of the Shang 1. Shang had to defend its borders against invaders 2. Zhou people overthrew the Shang a. Claimed Shang were corrupt to gain support IV. Zhou Dynasty A. No centralized government, gave control to members of royal family B. Believed in Mandate of Heaven 1. C. D. E. Gods determine who would rule China Leaders fought, were losing control Attacks from outside invaders Capital destroyed in 771 B.C. – became warring states V. Qin Dynasty A. One of the Warring States won power 1. Cheng declared himself 1st emperor 2. Lasted only 15 Years, but many changes 3. Name for China came from Qin 4. Built walls to protect themselves, once connected would be Great Wall of China B. Liu Bang would eventually conquer the emperor and start the Han Dynasty VI. Han Dynasty A. Chinese have called themselves Han ever since B. Civil Service System 1. Created to govern China (day to day business) 2. Had an extensive system of exams to select the best C. Other Accomplishments 1. 2. 3. 4. Expanded area through military outpost cities Developed Silk Road for trade Population grew to 50 million Lasted until 220 A.D. VII. A. Philosophies Confucianism 1. Teachings of Confucius are called the Analects a. b. c. d. Respect your family, elders, and ancestors Not concerned with life or death Concerned with political and social ideas Stressed responsibility and virtue B. Daoism 1. Founded by Laozi 2. Dao = the way; a force that governs the universe 3. Shunned politics C. Legalism 1. Stressed obedience to law system 2. Did not address meaning of life D. Buddhism 1. Reached China via missionaries sent by Indian ruler Asoka VIII. A. Chinese Life and Culture Family and Social Life 1. Many generations lived in same house 2. Respect, honor, and family name were important 3. Women had very few rights, but were very well respected B. Economy 1. Agricultural, very little trade C. Arts and Sciences 1. “Five Classics” were used to train civil servants a. b. c. d. e. Book of History – government Book of Changes – predicting future Book of Rites – ceremonies and manners Spring and Autumn Annals – history Book of Poems D. Science and Technology 1. Discovered the year was slightly longer than 365 days a. 2. 3. 4. 5. Began Leap Year Developed a system to track planet movements Invented paper Learned how to glaze pots Developed herbal and mineral medicines