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The Early History of China
• The earliest civilizations in
China developed along
the Huang He (Yellow)
and Chang Jiang Rivers.
• By 7000 BCE, farmers
were farming rice, millet,
and wheat.
• Pigs and sheep were also
domesticated.
• Around 3000 BCE the
early Chinese began to
use Pottery and dig wells.
The First Dynasties of China
The Xia
• The Xia (Shah) dynasty was created around
the 2200’s BCE.
• Much of what we know about the Xia is
legend and little evidence is there to support
it.
• It is possible the stories about the Xia were
developed to help teach people to work
together.
The Shang Dynasty
• Developed around the 1700
BCE, and lasted until 1027
BCE
• Developed the first writing
system in China, with over
2,000 symbols (ancestor to
modern Chinese writing)
• The King was both the
political and Religious
leader, and nobles helped
him rule.
• Priests would read Oracles,
or predictions about the
future.
King & Nobles
Warriors
Artisans (potters, tool makers,
tailors)
Farmers
Slaves (laborers)
The Zhou Dynasty
• The Zhou dynasty came
into power in 1027 BCE
after they overthrew the
Shang dynasty.
• The Zhou dynasty brought
order to China, but
became less powerful
over generations.
• The dynasty became
weaker, and ended by 221
BCE.
King-Ruled by
a “mandate
of Heaven
Lords and
Warriors-Lords
paid taxes to the
king and provided
warriors
Peasants-Peasants were
farmers for the nobles land
The Warring States Period
• The warring states
period began in 481
BCE.
• During this time, several
different kingdoms
began fighting for
power and territory.
• Families fought against
one another, and there
was no central
government.
Confucianism
• Confucious (Kongfuzi)
was born in the 500’s
during the Zhou
Dynasty.
• Upset over the lack of
decency, Confucious
developed a code of
ethics (values), which
would become the
philosophy of
Confucianism.
The Beliefs of Confucianism
• Confucius believed that
people should have
certain roles and people
should listen to their
superiors.
• Confucianism believes
that if its rules were
followed, it would
restore social harmony
Fathers
Leaders
Children must obey
their parents
The lower classes
should lean by
following the example
of their leaders
Fathers should inspire
their families to be
moral
The king should lead by
example, inspiring
good behavior in all of
his subjects.
Daoism
• Daoism was developed
within 100 years of
Confucanism
• Daoism was developed by
a man named Laozi.
• Daoism stressed a
balance with nature
(Dao), and said that if a
leader was in harmony
with Dao, people would
not even know they were
governed.
The Qin Dynasty
• The Qin Dynasty began
in 221 BCE, when an
emperor by the name
of Shi Huangdi was
successful in taking over
the other states in
China to create the first
Unified empire.
The Qin Dynasty
• Shi Huangdi did not
share power with
anyone, and ruled
ruthlessly.
• To rule his empire, he
appointed governors to
collect taxes.
• He also created a
uniform writing and
money system.
• Although he had many
successes, Shi Huangdi
was ruthless and cruel.
• He burned books and
killed scholars who
disagreed with him.
• He was disliked, and his
empire ended only 4
years after his death, in
206 BCE.
The Great Wall of China
• The Great Wall of China
was started during the
Qin dynasty to protect
China from invaders
• The early wall was
made from tamped
earth.
• The first wall was built
in 10 years, with the
labor of 3,000,000
people.
Shi Huangdi’s Tomb
Shi Huangdi’s Tomb
The Han Dynasty
• The Han dynasty
developed around 206
BCE after the Qin
dynasty collapsed.
• The Han dynasty would
last for over 400 years,
from 206 BCE – 220 CE.
• The first emperor was
Liu Bang
The Han Dynasty
• Liu Bang focused on
making government
work better.
• He took power from
nobles and adopted
Confucianism as the
philosophy of
government.
The Han Dynasty
• During the Han dynasty,
people had to pass a
Confucianism test to work
for the government.
• Families practiced
Confucianism in the home
and in the government.
• Although this kept
government in good
order, as much as 90% of
the population, peasants,
were in poverty.
Emperor
and his
court
Peasants
(did not hold
any power)
Artisans who
produced goods
Merchants who sold
goods
The Han Achievements
• The Han dynasty
produced many
different types of art,
the sundial,
acupuncture, and
seismograph.
• The Han also developed
the Silk Road to trade
across Asia.