Chinese Empires and Religions

Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the beginning of construction on The Great Wall in 221 BCE as a defense against nomadic invaders from the north.

Many of the workers died on the project and were buried in the wall itself.

The walls combined and added on to existing walls and eventually stretched for over 5,000 miles.

Chinese government China was ruled by a succession of families who passed on power to their decendents. These are known as dynasties. Xia Dynasty About 1994 BCE BCE Shang Dynasty 1766 BCE BCE Zhou Dynasty 1122 BCE -256 BCE plus suppliment Qin Dynasty 221 BCE BCE Early Han Dynasty 206 BCE - 9 AD Xin Dynasty 9 AD - 24 AD Later Han Dynasty 25 AD AD Three Kingdoms - Period of Disunion 220 AD AD Sui Dynasty 589 AD AD Tang Dynasty 618 AD AD Sung Dynasty 969 AD AD Yuan Dyansty 1279 AD AD Ming Dynasty 1368 AD AD Manchu or Qing Dynasty 1644 AD AD

Chinese government Chinese emperors were considered divine, or descended from gods. They had to rule justly and fairly in order to maintain the Mandate of Heaven.

Chinese Government Because the Chinese Empire was so large, and had so many people, a large organized government was needed.

Chinese Government Over 130,000 people had civil service jobs, (like tax collectors, prison guards and scribes) around the year 100 BC. Civil Service – government jobs that civilians get by taking examinations.

Chinese Government In order to get a government job, people were required to pass an exam, which was based on the ideas of Confucius.

Chinese Government Chinese peasants were required to pay taxes with part of their harvest and perform one month of service for the government. Peasants were used to build roads, canals or work on the Great Wall.

Trade China had many products, such as porcelain, silk, spices, iron and precious stones that were sought after by other civilizations.

Products were traded along a route called the Silk Road.

The Silk Road was not one road, but a combination of paths, roads and sea routes. Most merchants would only work on one section of the route, not travel the entire thing.

Products were transported by camel caravan, donkeys or by boat.

Governments built watch towers and rest stations in some areas of the route to help travelers.

The Silk Road is responsible for spreading many products, ideas, religions and diseases among the countries.

Achievements of Classical China Economic – Silk – Porcelain – Paper

Achievements of Classical China Technology – Fishing reel – Yoke (harness for pulling a plow) – Ironwork

Achievements of Classical China Political – Civil Service system – Highly organized government structure

Chinese Religions Confuciusism, Taoism and Buddhism

Confuciusism Confucius was a scholar and government official born in 551 BC. He studied history and formed a moral code of how families and governments should run.

The thoughts and teaching of Confucius are recorded in the Analects of Confucius.

Confucism isn’t a religion… rather an ethical code. Chinese society is still based on these ideas.

The teachings of Confucius were based on truths commonly accepted as universal: – To love others – To honour one's parents – To do what is right instead of what is advantageous – “Don't do to others what you would not want yourself”

He also taught political values, such as: – To rule by moral example instead of by force and violence – Rulers should be chosen by merit – Rulers should be devoted to the people – Confucius said, “Your job is to govern, not to kill; – “Good government leads by example, not by law”

Confucius say… Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it. Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do. What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others. Have no friends not equal to yourself.

Taoism/Daoism Tao means “the way” or “the path”. It originated in China around 500 BC.

The founder of Taoism is believed to be Lao Tzu, which means “Old Master”. He is credited with writing the Tao Te Ching, which is a collection of Taoist philosophy.

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.”

The basic goal of Taoism is for a person to join in harmony with the universe. Taoists encourage non- violence, simple living and respect for nature. Major Beliefs

Yin and Yang represent the two opposing forces in the universe… – Yin Is: · Black · Negative · Feminine · Passive · Dark · Cold · Moon · Empty – Yang Is: · White · Positive · Masculine · Active · Light · Warm · Sun · Full

Taoism is incorporated into tai chi and many martial arts. – It is used as a form of meditation and becoming more in tune with the universe.