Ancient China

Geography Most isolated civilization we have studied so far Far away from EVERYTHING

Geography Geographic barriers restricted access into and out of China – Mountains – Deserts – Oceans – Jungles

Mountain Ranges – To the southwest are the Himalayas Geography

Deserts – To the north is the Gobi Desert – Largest desert in Asia – 5th largest desert in the world

Geography Oceans – Pacific Ocean is to the east – Largest ocean in the world

Geography Jungles – Thick jungles separate China from Southeast Asia

Geography Main rivers within China – Huang He (Yellow) – Yangtzi

Chinese Heartland Chinese heartland was settled in the Huang He River Valley – This settlement began at the start of the Neolithic Revolution

Chinese Heartland Huang He, or Yellow River, got its name from loess – Fine windblown yellow soil Long ago, the Huang He used to be known as the “River of Sorrows” – Flood waters destroyed crops and brought starvation

Shi Huangdi Conquered warring states and established the Qin Dynasty – Single empire of China was created

Shi Huangdi Considered to be China’s first emperor

Shi Huangdi Most significant and costly achievement was the Great Wall – Built to keep invaders out of China

Shi Huangdi – Thousands of miles across northern China – Symbol of Chinese people, dividing their civilized world from the nomadic world to the north

Chinese Dynasties A family that has power over several generations is known as a dynasty China is ruled by a succession of ruling families (or dynasties)

Mandate of Heaven In order for a new dynasty to emerge and an old dynasty to end, the Mandate of Heaven was developed Mandate of Heaven is the divine right to rule – Gods choose next ruler because old ruler no longer making them happy

Dynastic Cycle The rise and fall of the dynasties, based on the will of the gods, is known as the Dynastic Cycle

Dynastic Cycle New dynasty claims the Mandate of Heaven New dynasty restores peace and order Government is rebuilt New dynasty becomes aging dynasty after several generations

Dynastic Cycle Aging dynasty is characterized by: - Neglected government duties – High taxes – Loss of control Aging dynasty then loses the Mandate of Heaven

Dynastic Cycle Problems identified with aging dynasty and why it lost mandate: – Floods, famine, earthquakes – Invasions – Peasant revolts – High taxes

Chinese Trade Chinese paper, silk, and porcelain were traded as far west as Europe Traders used the Silk Road to connect them from China with the Middle East and Europe

Chinese Trade Silk Road stretched 4,000 miles Several different people controlled sections of the road Not a single path, but rather a series of trade routes linking the east with the west

Chinese Accomplishments Civil Service Examinations were established to fairly appoint people to government positions – Appointment based on how well one did on exams rather than family background

Chinese Accomplishments Silk making was developed in 1000 BCE Process of silk making requires that the web-like substance produced by the silk worm is boiled to release the threads of silk Thread is then woven into cloth

Chinese Accomplishments Invention of paper Paper is made by using a combination of very fine wood pulp, water, and screens

Chinese Accomplishments Porcelain also came out of China Bone-hard, white ceramic made of a special clay and a mineral found only in China