Ancient China Mr. Wells - MPHS

The Geography of China China’s first city walls were built 1000 years after the walls of Ur, the great pyramids, and the planned cities on the Indus River. Unlike most cultures on earth, the civilization that began in China 4000 years ago still thrives there today. Natural barriers isolated ancient China Mountain ranges dominate 2/3 of China’s landmass

Satellite Image of China

The Geography of China East: Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and Pacific Ocean West: Taklimakan Desert, Plateau of Tibet Southwest: Himalayas North: Gobi Desert, Mongolian Plateau

The Geography of China Huang He (Yellow River) in the North Yellow River deposits large amounts of silt called loess… blown by winds from the desert into the river

The Geography of China

The Geography of China Chang Jiang (Yangtze River) in central China Flows east from the Yellow Sea At 3,988 miles, it is the longest river in China

The Geography of China Environmental Challenges - disastrous floods from the Huang He River - Trade was difficult… so settlers became self- dependent - Difficult to invade China due to geography Only 10% of China’s land is suitable for farming Most of the land for farming is in the North China Plain

Chinese Culture Fossils show that modern humans lived in SW China 1.7 million years ago According to legend, the first Chinese dynasty, Xia (Shyah) began around 2,000 B.C. The Chinese viewed outsiders as barbarians Viewed themselves as the center of the civilized world China means Middle Kingdom

Chinese Culture Family is central to Chinese society… respect for one’s parents (known as filial piety) Women were treated as inferiors Girls were arranged to be married between the ages of 13-16 Religious spirits of ancestors had the power to bring good fortune but were not seen as gods

Chinese Culture Oracle Bones: Priest would scratch a question, apply a hot poker, the bone would split and he would interpret the cracks Possible to read Chinese without being able to speak Chinese… no link between written and spoken language Need to know 1500 characters to be literate… scholars knew 10,000 characters

Chinese Alphabet

Mandate of Heaven The idea that gods favored a certain group to rule and that group is only overthrown when they have lost the favor of the gods

Chinese Philosophy: Confucianism

Confucius (551 B.C. – 449 B.C.) Kung-Fu-tzu “Master Kung” Born to a noble but poor family. Lived during time of The “Warring States” Period. Teacher and Minister of Justice

Goal of Confucianism To develop one’s Jen: Human Heartedness - the inner goodness of humanity Thus becoming a Chun Tzu: the “Great Man” or “Gentle Man” Jen is developed through intentional living by Confucian virtues…

Five Basic Relationships Order and Harmony to be restored if organized around 5 relationships. Human-heartedness is developed only within the context of human relationships Code of proper conduct regulated each relationship: Ruler should practice kindness and virtuous living and in return the subjects should be loyal and law abiding.

1. Ruler and Subject

2. Father and Son

3. Husband and Wife

4. Older and Younger Brother

5. Friend and Friend

Filial Piety Respect for parents and elders Children must practice this Three of the 5 relationships based upon the family

More Confucian Virtues Rectification of names – a person or thing should be true to its name Recipricity (shu) – the Golden Rule: “Do not do to others what you would not want others to do to you” Li (rites, ritual) – the inherent “pattern” in things propriety or etiquette, the “pattern” of humane behavior

Education Can turn the humble into a gentleman Important for career advancement

Texts His students collected his words in the Analects Leaders should be virtuous

I Ching Book of Changes To guide humans in decision making Readers used the book by throwing a set of coins, interpreting the results, and then reading the appropriate oracle Gave good advice and simple common sense Readers used the book by throwing a set of coins, interpreting the results, and then reading the appropriate oracle Gave good advice and simple common sense

Yin and Yang Harmony of opposites Yin: feminine qualities (Black) Yang: masculine qualities (White) I, Ching and Yin and Yang helped Chinese people understand how they fit into the world Yin and Yang helped Chinese people understand how they fit into the world

Yang Creative Masculine Bright Active Yin Receptive Feminine Dark Passive Yin & Yang

Chinese Philosophy: Legalism

Legalist Concepts Efficient and powerful government is the key to social order

Legalist Concepts Use the law to end disorder and restore harmony

Legalist Concepts Reward those who carry out duties Harshly punish disobedience Stressed punishment over rewards, Anyone caught without a travel permit who left their village would have their ears or nose chopped off stressed punishment over rewards, Anyone caught without a travel permit who left their village would have their ears or nose chopped off

Censorship Burn all writings that encourage thinking critically about government