Download SOL 4 China

WHI: SOL 4a-f
China
Ancient China
• The Silk Road facilitated trade and
contact between China and other
cultures as far away as Rome.
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Contributions of classical China
Civil service system
Paper
Porcelain
Silk
Classical Age
• Migratory invaders raided Chinese settlements
from the north. Shi Huangdi built the Great
Wall as a line of defense against invasions.
China was governed by a succession of ruling
families called dynasties. Chinese rulers were
considered divine, but they served under a
Mandate of Heaven only as long as their rule
was just.
Qin Dynasty
• 221 bc- Zheng creates the Qin dynasty and
names himself Shi Huangdi “First Emperor”
• Shi Huangdi- used Legalist philosophy, harsh,
strict ruler
• Ended feudalism(social system with land and
power given to nobles)
• Standardized weights and measures
• Use of coins
• Transportation system
Legalism
• Created by Hanfeizi
• “the nature of man is evil”
• Greed is the motive for most actions and the
cause of most conflicts
• Order can only be achieved through strict laws
and harsh punishments
Qin Dynasty
• Greatest Achievements of Shi Huangdi:
• Built the Great Wall of China to keep out
invaders from the North
– Symbol of Chinese power and organization
• Buried with Terracotta Army
– Symbol of military strength and power
Han Dynasty
• 202 b.c.-220 a.d., established by Gao Zu
• Emperor Wudi (longest Han ruler)
– Improved transportation system
– Government monopoly on iron and salt (no tax on peasants)
– Expansionism (expanding the country) [Mongolia, Korea,
Vietnam, Tibet and central Asia]
• Silk Road trade-over 4,000 miles long, traded silk
for products from India, Central Asia, and Europe
• Civil Service System- people in the government
were well-educated and promoted based on
merit
Han Dynasty
• Achievements:
– Medicine
– Acupuncture
– Astronomy
– Technology
– Arts
– Bronze
– Porcelain
– Jade
Confucianism
• Belief that humans are good, not bad
• Respect for elders
• Filial piety- respect for parents and family above
all
• Code of politeness (still used in Chinese society
today)
• Emphasis on education
• Ancestor worship
• Five Relationships-correct behavior
• Analects- books of Confucian teachings
Five Relationships
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Ruler to subject
Parent to child
Husband to wife
Elder to younger
Friend=Friend
Superiors should set a good example and take
care of inferiors
• Inferiors should be loyal and obedient to
superiors
Taoism
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Humility
Simple life and inner peace
Harmony with nature**
Created by Lao Zi
Holy Book: “The Way of Virtue”
Yin and yang represented opposites for
Confucianism and Taoism.