Shang Dynasty – Chou Dynasty China Chinese Civilization: Shang Dynasty – Chou Dynasty

LEARNING TARGETS: I CAN explain how China’s geography shape its history. I CAN identify the key personalities in China.

GEOGRAPHY OF CHINA

flourished in the valley of Huang Ho (Yellow River) and Yangtze River plain between the rivers was known as China’s heartland early Chinese had to supply their own goods

HAN DYNASTY Xia Dynasty (Legendary Dynasty) Shang Dynasty Chou Dynasty Ancient Chinese River Valleys Shang Dynasty (First Historical Dynasty) Chou Dynasty HAN DYNASTY Chin Dynasty (China’s First Empire)

Shang Chou Ch’in Han Sui Tang Sung Yuan Ming Qing Republic Communist

CHINA’S FIRST DYNASTY BASED ON RECORDS: SHANG DYNASTY

founded by King Tang reached Bronze Age China’s first family of rulers to leave written records replaced the legendary dynasty known as Xia (Hsia) Dynasty

practiced ancestor worship used oracle bones (for writing) which were made from shoulder blade of animals or turtle shells had a writing system

farming community planted rice and millet used elephants in battle wove silk cloth laid the foundation of Chinese ceramic art

CHINA’S SECOND DYNASTY BASED ON RECORDS: ZHOU/CHOU DYNASTY

toppled down the last king of the Shang Dynasty was divided into two periods: the Eastern Chou and Western Chou longest reigning dynasty (900 years) used iron and learned to domesticate and ride horses

first dynasty to use the MANDATE OF HEAVEN – belief that granted emperors the right to rule based on their ability to govern well, appropriately and fairly; gives right to topple ineffective rulers. 

philosophy flourished in China Some of the Philosophies that flourished during Chou Dynasty: 1) Legalism 2) Confucianism 3) Taoism

LEGALISM believes that a ruler must have absolute power encouragement and rewards for those who perform well harsh punishments must be given to those who disobey control people’s ideas and actions

CONFUCIANISM introduced by Confucius defined ways on how to behave in relationship with others emphasized family relationships, especially FILIAL PIETY – respect and obedience for elders

TAOISM introduced by Lao Tzu aimed to discover the “Tao” or the way of the natural universe and live in harmony with nature conceptualized yin - yang

SUN TZU military strategist wrote the Art of War focuses more on defeating the enemy psychologically rather than materially and physically

Shang Dynasty – Chou Dynasty China Chinese Civilization: Shang Dynasty – Chou Dynasty

Chin Dynasty – Han Dynasty China Chinese Civilization: Chin Dynasty – Han Dynasty

LEARNING TARGETS: I CAN identify the key personalities in China. I CAN express my thoughts about the deeds and contributions of Chin and Han Dynasty.

QIN/CH’IN DYNASTY

China’s First Empire China’s named patterned after the empire founded by SHI HUANG-TI – China’s first emperor made the empire united gave China a form of government that lasted for more than 2000 years

SHI HUANG-TI stopped wars in China and conquered barbaric lands responsible for giving China’s name ordered the construction of the Great Wall of China and Terra Cotta Army

SHI HUANG-TI standardized system of writing and measurements ordered many books to be burned ordered noble families to live in his city built a highway of over 4,000 miles

SHI HUANG-TI constructed irrigation projects for the farmers introduced currency imposed harsh taxes and had an oppressive government

HAN DYNASTY

replaced Ch’in Dynasty considered as Golden Age in Chinese history utilized SINOCENTRISM – belief that considered Chinese culture as superior to other culture and China as the center of the civilized world

due to that belief, early Chinese called themselves as “People of the Han” established by Liu Bang or Gaozu ( a rebel who came from the peasant class)

WU-TI most powerful Han emperor known as “Martial Emperor” declared Confucianism as the official ideology of the government extended the boundaries of the empire

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE HAN DYNASTY

university was founded study the teachings of Confucius and other great writings – the lessons use in taking the civil service examination

paper was invented used for record keeping, etc.

invented collar harnesses made possible for horses to pull heavy loads

wheelbarrow was invented

invented watermills to grind grains helped Han Dynasty to feed 60 million people one of the factors that led agriculture to be the most important and honored occupation

created the world’s first seismograph – an instrument that detects and measures earthquakes

recorded information about comets, stars, eclipses, planets, etc. invented accurate calendar, star maps and several astronomical instruments

made porcelains’ surface smooth and clean silk was exported to different places outside China magnetic compass was also invented

Chin Dynasty – Han Dynasty China Chinese Civilization: Chin Dynasty – Han Dynasty