EARLY CHINA AND CONFUCIANISM

Shang Dynasty Shang Dynasty (1532 to 1027 B.C.E.) –first important civilization to leave written records

Early Cities The Shang kings built big cities with palaces and walls Why? –To protect themselves against invaders

The Origins of Chinese Culture Most important virtue: respect for one's parents Obedience to authority and the king was emphasized The thought that divine approval was given to royal power was called? –Mandate of Heaven

Religious Beliefs Family was closely linked to religion –Believed that dead ancestors continued to affect their lives –Mulan anyone?

Oracle bones Ancient Chinese used animal bones or tortoise shells to communicate with their ancestors and gods.

Chinese Record Keeping Each character stands for an idea, not a sound A person needed to know over 1,000 characters to be barely literate

Shang Technology Chinese invented silk making Was highly valued and wanted by other cultures

An Empire Unifies China The Zhou Dynasty (1027 B.C. to 256 B.C) Established political, economic and social stability

Confucius Urges Harmony Confucius –lived when the Zhou Dynasty was being torn apart by war

Confucianism Was never a religion, but it was an ethical system 5 Relationships – code of moral behavior Became the foundation for Chinese government and social order Emphasized a balance in nature

DAOISM Definition: Search for knowledge and understanding of nature. Like Confucianism, they believed in balance in nature

Legalists Urge Harsh Rule Legalists believed in a strong government. Legalist Rulers were usually extremely ruthless and harsh. Was later adopted by Shi Huangdi of the Qin Dynasty

The Qin Dynasty Zhou Dynasty was replaced by a new state called Qin.

A New Emperor Takes Control Shi Huang Di which means "First Emperor." He took control and: -ended internal wars and defeated invaders. -standardized money and measuring -rejected Confucianism and adopted Legalism

Great Wall of China Earlier, Zhou rulers built smaller walls to discourage attacks by northern nomads. Shi Huang Di connected the Great Wall of China. –It took great engineering skill

Demarcation Line: Barbarians stay out!! The Great Wall of China is so huge that it is one of the few human-made features on Earth visible from space.

The Fall of the Qin The Qin Dynasty didn’t last long Shi Huang Di's son was a terrible ruler. People rebelled and marched into the capital. By 202 B.C.E., the harsh Qin Dynasty gave way to the Han Dynasty.

Terra Cotta Army Shi Huangdi was buried with his army (made of terra cotta): purpose was to protect the emperor in his afterlife. 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with over 600 horses