China Picture: by user:kallgan (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

China - Geography Continent: Asia Features: Mountains (Himalayas) Rivers and Seas (Yangtze, Huang Rivers) Deserts (Gobi) These features made trade and travel with China difficult kept China ISOLATED from the rest of the world. This allowed China to create its own ideas and culture! Map by Reton. [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

China - Dynasties China is one of the world’s oldest civilizations For much of China’s history, it has been ruled by dynasties Dynasty – a line of rulers from the same family Picture: By Unknown (18??–18??) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Shang Dynasty 1766 – 1122 b.c.e. First major dynasty in Chinese history. Invented a writing system using pictographs Wrote on Oracle Bones They believed that respect for parents and ancestors was extremely important. Picture: By Unknown (18??–18??) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Zhou Dynasty 1122 – 256 b.c.e. Kings of this dynasty created the idea of the Mandate of Heaven – rulers had the approval of the gods. They believed a ruler lost the Mandate of Heaven if there was a natural disaster Rulers of this dynasty had their friends and family rule smaller areas of China, which lead to the period of the Warring States There are gaps in years between several dynasties. At times, China was divided among different dynasties or kingdoms. Picture: By Unknown (18??–18??) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Qin Dynasty 221 – 206 b.c.e. Shi Huangdi reunited China after the Warring States period and became the Emperor Qin He began building the Great Wall of China More wars broke out after Shi Huangdi died The Spring and Autumn Period is named after an ancient Chinese chronicle that has been one of the core Chinese classics since ancient times. Map: by Territories_of_Dynasties_in_China.gif: Ian Kiu [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

Han Dynasty 202 b.c.e. – 220 a.c.e. Liu Bang ended civil wars and reunited China to start this dynasty. Rulers of this dynasty set up a bureaucracy, which had local rulers chosen for how intelligent they were to help the emperor enforce laws Expanded China to about the size it is today Map: by Philg88 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

Philosophy Definition – a way of looking at life and thinking about things, study of basic truths and ideas Picture: By Unknown (18??–18??) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Confucianism A doctrine (philosophy) based on a Chinese teacher named Confucius and written in a book called the Analects Believed people could be taught how to behave All about respect and the “golden rule” Filial piety – respecting your parents and elders Rulers should lead by example Respect for elders who will teach about the 5 key relationships Picture: By Unknown (18??–18??) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Legalism Philosophy created by Han Fei Believed people were naturally evil and had to be forced to obey laws Believed in strict laws and punishments Picture by Chinese Artists (http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/15250) [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Daoism (Taoism Created by Laozi Philosophy whose name means “the way to happiness” Believed in a universal nature force called “the way” to guide all things All except humans live in harmony with nature. Universal nature force Rulers made few laws Harmony of Yin and Yang Picture: By Unknown (18??–18??) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Buddhism Religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama Began in India Buddha – Enlightened One Belief in the Eightfold path – 8 basic laws designed to guide people without making life too strict or too easy Believed that suffering can be ended if people stop wanting things so much. Picture: By Unknown (18??–18??) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Chinese Inventions Farming Inventions – Plow, wheelbarrow, watermill, collar harness Paper for books and record keeping Silk – expensive fabric Gunpowder – fireworks Acupuncture Compass Kung Fu Picture of an early Chinese rocket Picture by NASA (http://history.msfc.nasa.gov/rocketry/03.html) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Silk Roads Over time, trade began to open with the west because people from other areas discovered Chinese Silk. Trans-Eurasian trade route because it linked China and Europe Traded goods as well as ideas (cultural diffusion)