Ancient China Was made up of over 200 small kingdoms Was made up of over 200 small kingdoms First united by Emperor Ch ‘in First united by Emperor Ch ‘in Covers an area of 3,691,500 sq. miles. Covers an area of 3,691,500 sq. miles. 3 rd largest country in the world. 3 rd largest country in the world. Worlds largest pop. over 3 billion people. Worlds largest pop. over 3 billion people.

Confucius Was a philosopher in Ancient China (his real name was Kong Qui) born around 551 B.C. Was a philosopher in Ancient China (his real name was Kong Qui) born around 551 B.C. Taught that “what you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others.” Taught that “what you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others.” Said that 5 relationships were key to a stable society. Ruler/Subject, Said that 5 relationships were key to a stable society. Ruler/Subject, Father/Son, Husband/Wife, Father/Son, Husband/Wife, Older Brother/Younger Brother, Older Brother/Younger Brother, and Friend/Friend. and Friend/Friend.

Stressed virtue which is shown by how people act, not what they say. Stressed virtue which is shown by how people act, not what they say. His teachings became known His teachings became known as Confucianism. as Confucianism. Confucianism Confucianism applied to all applied to all areas of Chinese areas of Chinese life until the life until the 1930’s. 1930’s. Started 1 st tests Started 1 st tests (meritocracy) rather than aristocracy. (meritocracy) rather than aristocracy.

Family Life! Dads were the boss! They told everything to do, even who you would marry (they could also sell you into slavery…yikes!). Dads were the boss! They told everything to do, even who you would marry (they could also sell you into slavery…yikes!). After Dad, the oldest son was the boss. After Dad, the oldest son was the boss. You didn’t call your brother/sister by name but by title “oldest brother”, “#2 brother”, and “younger brother”, etc. You didn’t call your brother/sister by name but by title “oldest brother”, “#2 brother”, and “younger brother”, etc. Focused on RESPECT. Focused on RESPECT.

Family life (cont.) Most Chinese lived in 3 room houses. One main room in the middle, with the parents bedroom on the left and all the children sharing the bedroom on the right. Most Chinese lived in 3 room houses. One main room in the middle, with the parents bedroom on the left and all the children sharing the bedroom on the right. Ideally grandparents, parents, and kids would all live in the same house. Ideally grandparents, parents, and kids would all live in the same house. The wealthy built elaborate houses with courtyards. The wealthy built elaborate houses with courtyards.

Important Rivers Yellow River-located in Northern China. Is the most important river in China. Floods frequently due to silt which also explains how it received its name. Also called the Yellow River-located in Northern China. Is the most important river in China. Floods frequently due to silt which also explains how it received its name. Also called the “River of Sorrow.” “River of Sorrow.” Yangtze River-located in Southern China. It is the 3 rd longest river in the world (over 3,900 miles long). Contains the worlds largest dam (3 Gorges Dam). Yangtze River-located in Southern China. It is the 3 rd longest river in the world (over 3,900 miles long). Contains the worlds largest dam (3 Gorges Dam).

The Grand Canal Built between by the Sui Dynasty Built between by the Sui Dynasty (although it connected several older canals begun by previous Dynasties) (although it connected several older canals begun by previous Dynasties) Connected several of China’s most important cities (Beijing & Hangzhou). As well as the Yangtze & Yellow Rivers. Connected several of China’s most important cities (Beijing & Hangzhou). As well as the Yangtze & Yellow Rivers. Boosted the economy (since goods could travel more easily). Boosted the economy (since goods could travel more easily). Helped to unify China Helped to unify China

The Grand Canal (cont.) It’s over 1100 miles long (1114 to be exact). It’s over 1100 miles long (1114 to be exact). Like The Great Wall is was built by conscripted peasants. Like The Great Wall is was built by conscripted peasants. (over ½ of them died (over ½ of them died during construction) during construction) Can you name another Can you name another famous canal? famous canal?

The Great Wall The Great Wall Build by China’s 1 st Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi Build by China’s 1 st Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi Combined several older walls. Combined several older walls. Was completed in 11 years, b.c. Was completed in 11 years, b.c. Built to keep out the “Northern Barbarians.” Built to keep out the “Northern Barbarians.” Stretched 2,600 miles. Stretched 2,600 miles.

The Great Wall (cont.) Built by over 1 million people, mostly peasants and people that couldn’t pay their taxes (conscripted workers). Built by over 1 million people, mostly peasants and people that couldn’t pay their taxes (conscripted workers). Made the emperor very unpopular. Made the emperor very unpopular. Modern “Great Wall” was built by the Ming Dynasty between a.d. and improved upon the original wall. Stretched 3,997 miles. Modern “Great Wall” was built by the Ming Dynasty between a.d. and improved upon the original wall. Stretched 3,997 miles. Made the Ming’s very unpopular. Made the Ming’s very unpopular.

Chinese Inventions Paper (it was used for clothes at first, then for writing…seriously). Printing with carved wooden blocks (called moveable type printing). Gunpowder…then Fireworks! (watch out Great Wall) Porcelain (that’s why it’s called China)

Silk Discovered by Queen Si Ling-Chi perhaps around Discovered by Queen Si Ling-Chi perhaps around 6000 b.c b.c. Made from the cocoons of Silkworms (poor silkworms). Made from the cocoons of Silkworms (poor silkworms). Silk was reserved for only the Emperor but gradually its use spread to the elite. Silk was reserved for only the Emperor but gradually its use spread to the elite.

Silk (continued) The beautiful & delicate thread soon began to be demanded all around the Ancient World (think Egypt, the Middle East, and even Europe). The beautiful & delicate thread soon began to be demanded all around the Ancient World (think Egypt, the Middle East, and even Europe). It was a Chinese secret. If you tried to sneak Silkworms out of China you could be executed…gulp. It was a Chinese secret. If you tried to sneak Silkworms out of China you could be executed…gulp. Silkworms only ate Mulberry leaves so it was very hard to smuggle out silkworms. Silkworms only ate Mulberry leaves so it was very hard to smuggle out silkworms.

Which leads us to the Silk Road! The Silk Road was neither made out of silk or a road…discuss. The Silk Road was neither made out of silk or a road…discuss.

The Silk Road (cont.) was really a series of trade routes that traded almost everything: precious stones, spices, textiles, and even dogs. was really a series of trade routes that traded almost everything: precious stones, spices, textiles, and even dogs. Used continuously for almost 2,000 years. Used continuously for almost 2,000 years. Spread culture & religion. Spread culture & religion.

& We can’t forget Festivals! Chinese New Year (follows the lunar calendar which is based on the moon). Chinese New Year (follows the lunar calendar which is based on the moon). Usually falls in January or February. Usually falls in January or February. The Chinese shoot fireworks to scare away misfortune. The Chinese shoot fireworks to scare away misfortune. The Chinese Zodiac goes in a 12 year cycle. It contains the rooster, dog, pig, rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep and monkey. The Chinese Zodiac goes in a 12 year cycle. It contains the rooster, dog, pig, rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep and monkey.

On Chinese New Year families get together and have a large meal. On Chinese New Year families get together and have a large meal. Children receive little red envelopes with $ inside (oh-yeah). Children receive little red envelopes with $ inside (oh-yeah). You clean your house and decorate it with pieces of red paper You clean your house and decorate it with pieces of red paper (before New Years, (before New Years, otherwise you may otherwise you may sweep out your good sweep out your good luck). luck).