Rise of Civilization in China Geography Ideas of Government & Society Confucius Taoism

Focus Question What characteristics defined the civilization that developed in China under its early rulers?

Geography Influences Civilization Geographic barriers ◦ Developed isolated from rest of world Mt. Everest = SW Boundary Gobi Desert = N Boundary Thick Rainforests = SE Boundary

Geography Influences Civilization Middle Kingdom ◦ Geographic isolation contributed to belief China was center of earth ◦ Source of civilization Huang He & Yangtze River Valleys ◦ First to develop civilization ◦ Fertile soil from flooding Mongolia ◦ NW of these valleys ◦ Harsh climate suitable for nomadic lifestyle China’s Middle Kingdom Yellow River Delta & Yangtze River

Early Ideas About Government & Society Mandate of Heaven = Divine Right to Rule ◦ Heaven granted a ruler a mandate to rule the people ◦ The people in turn owed the ruler complete loyalty ◦ People had right to expect good government  If ruler did not provide good government, people could rebel ◦ War, floods, famine = signs ruler had lost Mandate of Heaven

Early Ideas About Government & Society Dynastic Cycle ◦ Change from one dynasty to another due to the loss of the Mandate of Heaven

Early Ideas About Government & Society The Middle Kingdom ◦ Self-sufficiency and supremacy led China to consider itself Middle Kingdom between God and earth. ◦ Did not develop trade with other areas ◦ Tributary Relationships  If other areas requested permission to trade in China it was seen as charity on part of Chinese

Confucius Philosophy: system of ideas that is concerned with worldly goals, especially those of ensuring social order and good government Ideas focused on how to restore and maintain social order How government can take better care of people

Confucius Five relationships ◦ Ruler to subject ◦ Father to son ◦ Husband to wife ◦ Elder brother to younger brother ◦ Friend to friend Based on Superior & Inferior Relationships ◦ Superior person sets a good example and is in charge of the welfare of the inferior person ◦ Inferior person respects and honors the superior person ◦ Filial piety = father-son relationship Stressed importance of family and society over self

Taoism Lao Zi = founder Stressed link between humans and laws of nature Society with fewest rules best ◦ Conflicts with Confucian rules of society Focus on nature helped scientists make advances in science & technology

Focus Question What characteristics defined the civilization that developed in China under its early rulers?