1. Early Chinese Civilizations
Unit 5

2. Section One
Geography

3. Geography
The Huang-He (Yellow River) is the 2nd longest river in China (2900 miles long).
It provides a large amount of rich soil from Mongolia all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
The Chang Jiang river is 3400 miles long
Only 10% of China’s land is suitable for farming, as most is either mountain or desert land.

4. Geography
The mountainous landscape (outside of the river valleys) made travel difficult for both the Chinese and potential invaders.
Numerous groups such as the Mongolians and Turks have caused conflict throughout Chinese history.
The geographical features as well as a mix of people nearby have caused the Chinese to prefer to be isolated throughout their history.

5. Shang Dynasty and Zhou Dynasty
Section Two
Shang Dynasty and Zhou Dynasty

6. Shang Dynasty
The Xia Dynasty was founded about 4000 years ago. Very little is known of it.
Replaced by the Shang Dynasty.
B.C.
Mostly a farming society
Ruled by an aristocracy (upper class whose wealth is based on land)

7. Shang Dynasty The Dynasty was organized into territories
Governed by warlords
Kings were buried in royal tombs
Social Structure: King and family and other aristocrats at the top, merchants and artisans (small amount), large amount of peasant farmers

8. Shang Religion Reincarnation/Ancestor Veneration (Ancestor worship)
Human Sacrifice

9. Zhou Dynasty
Zhou leaders revolted against the Shang and formed a new dynasty that lasted from B.C.
Longest lasting Chinese dynasty

10. Zhou Dynasty-Political Structure
Same basic structure as Shang
New Idea-Mandate of Heaven-said that the Zhou King had the right to rule given to him by God.
Was supposed to rule with “goodness and efficiency”
Was also supposed to rule the proper “way” –known as Dao

11. Zhou Political Structure
“The way” referred to pleasing God.
Ineffective rulers would be overthrown
All new dynasties claimed the mandate of heaven.
All dynasties went through a “dynastic cycle” where they rise to great power and fall as turmoil hits the country

12. Fall of Zhou Intellectual and moral decline eventually hit China
Civil war between several territories and the leaders broke out in 403 B.C.
The Qin Dynasty emerged victorious

13. Life during the Zhou
Land ownership was the same-peasants worked the land (as the Shang)
Merchants and artisans worked in the towns
Lords controlled the local areas
Slaves were used
Trade of goods brought in salt, iron, and cloth

14. Economy/Technology Irrigation was important
Became very good at controlling the flow of rivers
Iron plows made it easier to grow crops
Technology created a food surplus
Silk was the major product traded away from China (Silk Road)

15. Assignment
With a partner: Read the articles provided. Underline/highlight/circle key information.
Find 3 strong FACTS that support why your dynasty (Shang/Zhou) is better than the other.
Write a one paragraph argument that explains your position.
We will debate this issue on Thursday.

16. Section Three
Philosophy

18. Confucianism Confucius was known to the Chinese as the first teacher.
Born 551 B.C.
Wanted to be a political advisor, but had no success
Upset by political unrest and moral decay of society caused by constant warfare.

19. Confucianism Ideas were widely studied by Chinese pupils
Recorded by his followers in the “Analects”
Focused on “ethics” (right and wrong)
2 Principles: Duty and Humanity
Duty-all people set aside personal interest to serve family and community
Five key relationships: Parent-Child, Husband-Wife, siblings, friends, rulers and subjects

20. Confucianism Responsibility also referred to work ethic.
Good examples by leaders=good actions by followers
Humanity-compassion and empathy
Discuss: What is empathy?
“Do not do unto others as you would not want done to you”

21. Daoism
Taught by Laozi, the “Old Master” (according to legend, although he may not have truly existed)
Ideas began 5th century B.C.
“The Way of the Dao”
“Don’t interfere with nature”
Like Buddhism, they believed in reincarnation, unlike Buddhism they believed people were happy and not suffering.

22. Legalism Human beings are “evil” by nature
People were “not capable” of doing good.
Only could act right if punished severely
Argued for a strong ruler
Harsh punishments would cause people to serve the ruler
Compassion was not necessary on the part of the ruler.

23. Philosophy Essay
Write an essay which describes all three philosophies we have studied.
Choose ONE that is MOST relevant to society today.
Please explain why you chose that one over the other two.
5 Paragraphs: Intro, Body, Conclusion (Body-4-6 sentences each, Intro, Conclusion-at least 3 sentences)
Body-One paragraph for each philsophy-explain w examples

24. Essay
Which philosophy is most relevant to us in the United States today?
3 paragraphs- intro, body, conclusion
-intro at least 3 sentences, body at least 5, conclusions at least 3
Within the body, 2 examples for why you chose the one you chose.

25. Qin Dynasty and Han Dynasty
Section Four
Qin Dynasty and Han Dynasty

26. Qin Dynasty 221-206 B.C. Qin defeated the Zhou in 221 B.C.
Qin Shihuangdi was the ruler
Practiced legalism, executed all threats
Opposition books were burned

27. Qin Dynasty Review
What two major projects was Qin Shihuangdi credited with leading?
How did China get its name?
What two philosophies came into conflict with each other? Why?
What does “Huangdi” mean? Why is that significant?

28. Qin Continued
If someone living during the rule of the Qin Dynasty committed a crime who was punished? What are your thoughts on that?
Besides violence/killing explain something that shows how strict Shihuangdi was?
Why did the Qin empire fail?

30. Political Structure
Highly centralized state (not much power at local level)
3 part bureaucracy: civil, military, and censorate
censorate: made sure government officials did their jobs.
Emperor appointed 2 heads of administration: provinces and counties

31. Political Structure Shihuangdi created a money system
Built roads to connect to the capital
Extended southern border to modern day Vietnam.
Had a large canal built.

32. Great Wall
The Qin emperor was concerned about invaders coming from the north
Major building project “The Great Wall of China”
This was a major project, but what is known today as the “Great Wall” was actually finished 1500 years later.

33. Fall of Qin Shihuangdi died in 210 B.C.
His dynasty was overthrown by the Han in 206 B.C.

34. Han Dynasty 202 BC-220 AD Liu Bang was founder and first emperor
Had peasant background

36. Han Political Structure
No more legalism, believed in Confucianism
Kept the three part central government in place.
Kept local province and county divisions
Introduced “civil service” exam to judge merit for jobs, so they didn’t have favoritism
Population of the empire tripled from 20 to 60 million

37. Society Great prosperity
Peasants had to work one month per year in hard labor or military in service to the wealthy
Tripling population provided for a smaller share of land, as land expansion did not make up for the growing population.
Over time peasants couldn’t afford their land.
Peasants soon became tenant farmers, having to rent rather than own the land.

38. Technology
Textile production, water mills (for grinding grain), and iron casting (led to the invention of steel)
Invented the rudder for sailing
Technology led to expanded trade.

39. Fall of the Han
Rulers became more interested in wealth than leading effectively
Peasant uprisings over loss of land
Three hundred years of civil war resulted in the Sui Dynasty eventually coming to power in 581.

40. Han Review What was Liu Bang’s background?
How did the Han try to avoid war with neighboring groups? Did it work? Explain.
Does the author portray Empress Lu as a good or bad ruler? Explain using 2 examples.
Explain one accomplishment of Han Wudi?
List one technology created by the Han Dynasty and explain why it was important?

41. Han Continued
How did Liu Bang originally feel about Confucianism? Give evidence to explain.
Explain the meaning of the quote in the grey box on page five.
What is meritocracy? How did it affect China?
Explain one legalist idea used by the Han Dynasty?