China History and Government Created by Ms. Darden Class 3-302

In the Beginning Long ago people lived in small communities in China.

Dynasty’s Destiny

Shang Dynasty About 4,000 years ago, the Shang dynasty began to rule China. Dynasty—is a line of rulers from the same family. (example –a king.)

Qin Dynasty The Qin dynasty, pronounced (CHIN) was able to unite all of these little communities into one country. It is believed that China got its name from this dynasty.

Dynasties Some dynasties forces thousands of workers to build palaces, bridges, and other structures. During the Qin dynasty, the Great Wall of China was built. Other dynasties made the wall even longer.

Inventions

Inventions They invented silk. They invented paper. They invented printing They invented gunpowder.

Inventions cont’d The Chinese also invented porcelain. Porcelain is a fragile and valuable form of pottery. Porcelain was first made during the Han dynasty (206 B.C.E.—C.E. 220)

Inventions cont’d Compass—is a tool used to figure out geographic direction.

Forever Moving In the 1800’s, China lost power to other countries such as: Britain, France, and Japan. The crops failed, and people became hungry. The people became very upset with the dynasties.

Becoming a Republic The people wanted China to become a republic. Republic—is a form of government with elected leaders.

Government Dr. Suan Yat-sen (SOON YAHT SEHN)—known as the Father of China, led the change to a republic. In 1911, his party (the Nationalist Party) took control from the Quing (CHING) dynasty and formed the Chinese Republic.

Government cont’d Communist—is someone who believes the government should be in charge of what people do and think. They shared power with another group for a while, the Communist party.

The People’s Republic of China In 1940 the Communist party grew stronger. It took land from people. People had to do what the government said or they were punished.

Remember command economy? The government told them what to make and who can make it.

Let’s view a video from North Korea on the effect of communist. http://www.teachersdomain.org/search/?q=china%27s+government&start=20&fq_grade=PK&fq_grade=PS

On the Rise! After 1976 things changed. The government worked with and listened to the people. The government started to move away from the ways of communist, and people started to own their own businesses and properties.

China’s Leaders

Sun Yat-sen 1911 Sun Yat-sen leads the Nationalist Party to over throw the rule of dynasties.

China’s Government Today The People’s Republic of China has lasted for over 100 years.

Chiang Kai- Shek In 1935, was the leader of the Nationalist Party, wins control of the government.

Mao Zedong In 1949, he was the leader of the Communist Party.

Deng Xiaoping Was the President of China in 1979. He opens China to trade with more countries.

Then and Now When Zedong was leader. People didn’t own property People could vote They had few choices No freedom of religion No freedom of speech Today with current leaders. People can own property People can vote People have more choices Freedom of some religions Little freedom of speech.