Life in Ancient China Mrs. Assini Honors SS, 1-2 Clay Goldsmid Chris Zeck Adin Kolansky Jack Clark Chris Cooper

Seven Features of Civilization Cities Culture Public Works Ancient China System of Writing Social Classes Organized Religion Central Governments

Cities Xi’an- It was a cultural centre along the Silk Road. Xi’an was the capital for 12 dynasties. These dynasties include the Zhou, Qin, Western Han, and the Tang. Chengdu- It has been a government administrative center since ancient times. It was the capital of Liu Bei’s Shu kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period. Chengdu marks the beginning of the southern Silk Road Route Anyang- Anyang was the first capital of northern China.

Culture Ancient Chinese culture consisted of polytheistic beliefs. Weavers used silk to make colorful clothes. People always needed to find enough food to support the large population. They carved statues from jade. There was a large gap between the wealthy and poor. They greatly honored their ancestors Inventions include gun powder and paper Chinese also cultivated silk. The Shang were big producers of bronze

Social Classes Kings Aristocrats Nobles Artisans Traders Farmers Slaves

Central Government The Shang dynasty started off with a weak central government, which was based on agriculture The Zhou dynasty lasted the longest of all Ancient Chinese dynasties. It also split the kingdom into smaller territories. Aristocrats were the rulers of each territory. This was based on the Shang government. Bureaucracy

System of Writing Ideographs Pictographs Symbol writing system

Organized Religion Shang Ti Polythesism Oracle Bones By 220 A.D. Buddhism became a common religion. Buddah

Philosophers Confucius-Confucianism Laozi- Daoism Hanfeizi- Legalism

Primary Source “There are those who act without knowing; I will have none of this. To hear a lot, choose the good, and follow it, to see a lot and learn to recognize it: this is next to knowledge” –Confucius “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.” -Confucius “Higher good is like water: the good in water benefits all, and does so without contention. It rests where people dislike to be, so it is close to the Way. Where it dwells becomes good ground; profound is the good in its heart, Benevolent the good it bestows.” –Laozi “I have brought order to the mass of beings.” -Qin Shihuangdi

Time Line 1750 B.C. - Shang Dynasty Begins 1045 B.C. - Wu Wang Creates Zhou Dynasty 551 B.C. – Confucius is born 300 B.C. – Laozi’s ideas of Daoism become popular 221 B.C. – Qin Dynasty begins 202 B.C. – Liu Bang founds Han Dynasty 200 B.C. – Hanfeizi develops Legalism A.D. 1- Silk Road is established A.D. 190- Rebel Armies attack Han capital

China Physical Map

China Political Maps

Role of Slavery

Location Absolute Location- Relative Location-

Sources http://www.chinahighlights.com/greatwall/ http://www.discoverychannel.co.uk/ancient_china/land_of_china/cities/index.shtml http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Zhou/zhou.html http://sunwalked.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/confucius.jpg http://www.china-tour.cn/images/Chinese-History/Laozi.jpg http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=hanfeizi&form=QBIR&qs=n# http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=china+buddha&form=QBIR&qs=n# http://www.mitchellteachers.org/WorldHistory/AncientChinaCurriculum/Transparencies/HansTransSlaves.jpg