Ancient China 7th Grade Paragon

Geography Large land area Natural barriers isolate North China Plain Rich soil deposits from Huang River Loess Surrounded by highlands Mostly dry, summer monsoon Southern China Warm and wet

Huang He/Yellow River Fertile Soil Trade Travel

Xia Earliest dynasty – Around 2000 BC-1500 BC No written records, artifacts only (farmers, made pottery) Primary Sources Possibly Legend Yu the Engineer Shang 1532-1027 BC Written evidence 1st Chinese cities with palaces and temples, huge earthen walls Rich-Cities, rest lived on farms First to use Sericulture (Silk Farming) Young honored Old, kids respected adults, honored dead ancestors and thought they would bring them good fortune

The Family in China First responsibility is family As many as five generations lived together Rich families in one home Poor/Peasants live in small cottages close together Oldest man in charge Arranged marriages Punish for disrespect Property divided among sons

The Family in China Women lower status then men “Three obediences” Obey fathers in youth Husbands in marriage Sons in widowhood “Four Virtues” Morality, Modesty, Proper Speech, Domestic Skills Family Names passed down Last, First

Shang King-power from spirits Fight over land Oracle Bones- writing Fight over land Huge divide between rich and poor Rich had horses and bronze weapons, poor had feet and stones Division led to conquer by Chou Started Chinese New Year celebration First Chinese writing system

Zhou (Chou) Dynasty Lasted longest Feudal system developed: Three classes Upper class: wealthy and powerful lords Middle class: warriors who supported the upper class lords Lower class: peasants and slaves Upper class made middle and lower class pay taxes to create walls around city, build roads, irrigation Different states, did not get along . Because they were not unified they were conquered by Qin (Ch’in)

Zhou (Chou) Dynasty Philosophy Confucianism Taoism Confucius Goal to change government Everyone should treat others with respect Leaders should be honest and honorable Lao Tse Man should live in harmony with nature Did not believe in war Did not agree with too many laws "The more laws that are written, the more criminals are produced." - Lao-Tse

Mandate of Heaven A good and just emperor has divine approval and will last, Bad rulers lose the blessing Natural disasters and rebellion caused by heaven Led to pattern of rise, rule, decline, fall, repeat Known as Dynastic Cycle

Inventions by Chinese paper -- first manufactured paper printing -- first used to distribute religious writing wheelbarrow -- used to help with large loads seismograph -- first earthquake detector compass -- navigation tool acupuncture -- this is a technique of using many needles to heal or relieve pain porcelain -- used to make wonderful dishes to serve tea novels -- earliest books were printed in ancient China tea -- first to discover and brew tea gunpowder -- changed the way that wars were fought paper money -- first to have light-weight paper money the kite -- made with silk fireworks -- used to scare away enemies and for entertainment restaurants -- common people could eat out quite cheaply calligraphy -- a great form of Chinese art/writing