2. Ancient China Geographic barriers isolate China
Deserts and high mountain ranges
Rainforests divide China from southeast Asia
Pacific Ocean to the east
Civilization emerges in Huang River valley
“River of Sorrows”

3. Shang Dynasty First recorded Chinese dynasty, about 1766 BC
Social classes develop
Kings and princes rule
Royal family and noble warriors at the top
Most were peasants

4. Peasants revolt and remove the dynasty from power
A new dynasty takes over
Peace is restored, land is redistributed
Defensive walls are built
Government begins to neglect their duties
Corrupt officials are unpunished
Uses taxes to pay for royal luxuries
Invasions
Peasants revolt and remove the dynasty from power

5. Dynastic cycle The rise and the fall of dynasties in China
Zhou overthrew Shang about 1766 BC
Dynasties needed the Mandate of Heaven
Disaster meant that a dynasty lost the favor of heaven
Zhou ends in 256 BC

6. Confucius A brilliant scholar and teacher
Taught that relationships shape behavior
Confucianism influences one-third of the world’s population

7. 5 key relationships
Ruler to subject, parent to child, husband to wife, older brother to younger brother, friend to friend
Filial piety (respect for parents)

8. Achievements Invented silk-making Created the first books
Most valuable export
Created the first books
Developed a complex writing system
Writing as an art form (calligraphy)
Improved bronze technology

9. Feudalism Under the Zhou dynasty China became a feudal state
System of gov’t in which local lords governed their own lands but owed military service and support to the ruler

10. Creating the Empire Shi Huangdi became first emperor
Was very brutal
Conquered many warring states
Built an authoritarian Qin government
Tortured and killed anyone who opposed him

13. Unity The feudal state was replaced with 36 military districts
Created a money economy
United Chinese writing
Repaired roads and canals for travel

14. The Great Wall Shi Huangdi’s greatest achievement
25 feet high, thousands of miles long
Feudal states built their own walls, now they were united together
Used to protect the civilization from nomadic bands north of the wall

16. Han Dynasty Emperor Wudi strengthened Chinese gov’t and economy
Held a monopoly on iron and salt
Used expansionism
Increased land under Chinese control

17. The Silk Road Trade route created by Wudi
Connected China to western countries
Chinese would trade silk for grapes, figs, cucumbers, fur, and glass
4,000 miles long

20. End of the Han dynasty
Han dynasty collapsed after the peasants revolted
The emperors could no longer control powerful warlords
After 400 years of unity, China broke into several kingdoms
Invaders poured over the Great Wall and settled in China