Standards 6.1-3, & 6-2.6

 How did the invention of silk help China?  What was the Silk Road? Why was it important to the Chinese?  What technologies were invented by the ancient Chinese?

 The Chinese invented the method to make silk cloth.  China kept the method of silk-making a secret for centuries.  China made a lot of $$$ trading silk with Europe and the rest of Asia.

 The Secrets of Silk A segment of Journals Through History: Ancient China: Contributions to the WorldJournals Through History: Ancient China: Contributions to the World  To 1:58

 Written records show travel on the Silk Road during the Han Dynasty.  This ‘road’ connected China in East Asia to Central Asia and southwest Asia.  Goods from west Asia such as grapes, figs, cucumbers, and walnuts went to China.  Glass from Europe and cotton cloth from India traveled to China.  The Chinese traded their prized silk with Asia and Europe.  The Silk Road also brought Buddhism to China (India missionaries).  HAND JIVE!!!!!

 The Silk Road ran about 4,000 miles across Asia.  The road went through deserts and around mountains.  There were many robbers along the road to take the precious goods or $$$ from the traders.  Traders used this road until a safe sea route to Asia was possible.

 The Silk Road and Trade / The Silk Road brought Things to China A segment of World History: Pre-HistoryWorld History: Pre-History

 A simple seismograph was invented during the Han Dynasty.  Purpose: warns of a coming earthquake and let the king know in what direction help was needed.

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 During the Han Dynasty, a strong paper made from crushed wood pulp was invented.  Purpose: for writing / books  This same basic method is used today.

 Paper A segment of Journals Through History: Ancient China: Contributions to the WorldJournals Through History: Ancient China: Contributions to the World  To 1:05

 The Chinese are also credited for inventing of the first compasses.  A compass was used for navigation and orientation.

 Around 600 CE, the T'ang managed to pull China together once again.  T'ang times were neat!  Under T'ang leadership, ancient China entered her Golden Age.  It was a time of prosperity, happiness and experimentation.

 The T'ang Empire is famous for its brilliant stories, literature, dancing, music, and art. brilliant stories  Craftsmen worked with iron, bronze, copper, gold, silver, and other metals.  Scroll painting became very popular.  Sculpture, especially Buddhist sculpture (statues of Buddha) were extremely popular.

 The Tang Dynasty saw many advancements in science and technology.  Gunpowder was invented and used for fireworks display.

 The History of Fireworks  A segment of Discovery Atlas: China Revealed: Short StoriesDiscovery Atlas: China Revealed: Short Stories

 Porcelain was also invented during this time.  It is a strong ceramic made from clay.  The Chinese kept the method of making porcelain a secret for many years! (like silk)  They decorated vases, tea services, and figures with beautiful glazes.  Today, this art is very valuable.

 Block printing was developed during the Tang period.  Chinese characters were carved into a wooden block.  The ink was rubbed on the wood block.  Finally, paper was pressed onto the inked wood blocks.  Many books were printed using block type.

 Printing Press  A segment of Greatest Inventions with Bill Nye: CommunicationGreatest Inventions with Bill Nye: Communication

 This was a period of achievement in printing, painting, and handwriting.  Tea drinking was introduced.  Paper $$ came into use.  Gunpowder started to be used in warfare for grenades, flammable arrows, and cannonballs.

 Chinese painting shows balance and harmony.  Chinese landscape paintings were important during the Song Dynasty.

 Population grew and trade increased.  Cities grew large.  Song cities were the most organized and sophisticated in the world.

 During the Song years, the government encouraged an increase in printing.  Many books were printed using block type.  Moveable type was invented.  Writing was important.  Poetry was important to the Chinese.  They wrote their words in calligraphy.

Chuang Tzu and the Butterfly Chuang Tzu in dream became a butterfly, And the butterfly became Chuang Tzu at waking. Which was the real — the butterfly or the man ? Who can tell the end of the endless changes of things? The water that flows into the depth of the distant sea Returns in time to the shallows of a transparent stream. The man, raising melons outside the green gate of the city, Was once the Prince of the East Hill. So must rank and riches vanish. You know it, still you toil and toil — what for?

ItemSilkPaperSeismographGunpowder Purpose & Impact In your opinion, which invention was the most important to China? Why?

 There are many wonderful stories about how the Lantern Festival first began. One story is that in ancient times, people would go in search of spirits with burning sticks. They thought the spirits could be seen during a full moon.  Another is about a lonely young girl, in Han times, who tricked an emperor into having a wonderful festival just so she could visit with her family! The emperor had such a good time, he decided to make this festival an annual event!Han times,  Today, people wear white in honor of the moon, lanterns are hung in the malls and markets, and children carry paper lanterns to school, to light their way to a bright and happy future.

 Get materials.  Add information / Draw / decorate your paper.  Cut paper as shown. Big Ideas: Silk Road Technologies / Inventions