Chinese Civilization Chinese culture began around 1500 B.C.

Geography Classical China was centered on the Huang He (Yellow River) and was geographically isolated. Classical China was centered on the Huang He (Yellow River) and was geographically isolated. Migratory invaders raided Chinese settlements from the North. Migratory invaders raided Chinese settlements from the North. That’s where the emperor Qin Shi Huangdi built the Great Wall (around 220 B.C.) as a line of defense against invasions. That’s where the emperor Qin Shi Huangdi built the Great Wall (around 220 B.C.) as a line of defense against invasions.

Great Wall of China

Ruling of China China was governed by a succession of ruling families called dynasties. China was governed by a succession of ruling families called dynasties. Chinese rulers were considered divine, but they held power only so long as their rule was just and they had a “Mandate of Heaven.” Chinese rulers were considered divine, but they held power only so long as their rule was just and they had a “Mandate of Heaven.” This idea meant ‘the divine right to rule.’ This idea meant ‘the divine right to rule.’

Trade  Silk Roads facilitated trade and contact between China and other cultures as far away as Rome.

Contributions of Classical China to world civilization: Civil Service System The idea that government officials should win positions by merit rather than through family background. To find the most qualified officials, they set up a system of exams. Paper Porcelain Silk

Confucianism ► Belief that humans are good, not bad. ► Respect for elders. ► Code of politeness, still used in Chinese society today. ► Emphasis on education. ► Ancestor worship.

Taoism (Daoism) Came from the Taoist Lao Tzu – Taoism. Came from the Taoist Lao Tzu – Taoism. Unlike Confucius, he focused on humility and a life of inner peace. Unlike Confucius, he focused on humility and a life of inner peace. Harmony with nature – they tend to withdraw from society and live closer with nature. Harmony with nature – they tend to withdraw from society and live closer with nature. “Dao” – “the way” of the universe. “Dao” – “the way” of the universe.  It looked beyond everyday cares  Taoists wanted to end conflict between human desires and the simple ways of nature. The Yin/Yang theory of opposites was an offshoot of Taoism. The Yin/Yang theory of opposites was an offshoot of Taoism.  Yin and Yang represented opposites for Taoism and Confucianism.  It argues that all human life is based on the interplay of these two elements.

Buddhism Chinese forms of Buddhism spread throughout Asia. Chinese forms of Buddhism spread throughout Asia. Its great appeal was the promise of escape from suffering. Its great appeal was the promise of escape from suffering. Neither Daoism nor Confucianism emphasized this idea of personal salvation. Neither Daoism nor Confucianism emphasized this idea of personal salvation. Temple of General Peace in China.

Pagoda

System of Writing ► Consulting the Ancestors - some of the oldest examples of Chinese writing are on oracle bones. ► On animal bones or turtle shells, Shang priests wrote questions addressed to the gods or the spirit of an ancestor. ► Written Chinese took shape almost 4,000 years ago. ► Over time, it evolved to include tens of thousands of characters. ► Working with brush and ink, Chinese scholars turned calligraphy, or fine handwriting, into an elegant art form.