1. Classical China
Foundations: 8000 BCE CE

2. Ancient China First “modern” country in the world:
Invented steel, paper, money, silk, gunpowder, fireworks, books and many other things
Chinese history is split into dynasties
AKA Ruling Families – Emperors
Strong central governments

3. Ancient China Dynastic Cycle Mandate of Heaven
New family establishes dynasty (Gains Mandate of Heaven)
Period of prosperity
Dynasty grows weak
Internal and/or external rebellions
New dynasty emerges
Belief that the gods transfer their power to a specific family in China that is meant to establish a dynasty and rule the region
Emperors were Sons of Heaven

4. Timeline of Classical China
Shang: BCE
Zhou: BCE
Era of Warring States: 402 BCE BCE
Qin: BCE
Han: 202 BCE CE
Sui: 581 CE – 618 CE
Tang 618 CE - 907
Song 960 CE – 1200 CE

5. G.R.E.A.T.S
With your group discuss: What factors make a civilization “great”?
G.R.E.A.T.S
G – Government
Great Wall of China
R – Religion
E – Economic System
The Silk Road
A – Art / Architecture
Terracotta Army
T – Technology
Chinese Inventions
S – Social Structure
Foot Binding

6. Talking to the Text Preview the text
Underline or highlight main ideas or key details
Use the margins for to show your thinking

7. GREATS Chart
30 Word Summary – Must include the main idea and any key details of the reading.
Share out – Share your summary. What did you find interesting? What stood out to you? What do you have questions about or find confusing?
2 minutes for each topic

8. Rise of Chinese Philosophies
Confucianism
Daoism/Taoism
Legalism

9. Confucianism Confucius (K’ung Fu Tzu) Period of Warring States
Scholar - history, music, ethics
Main Writing: The Analects
Promoted by followers - Mencius

10. Main Ideas Restore social order, harmony and good government to China
Ethical systems based on relationships and personal virtue
Emphasized family
Filial piety - respect for parents and elders is necessary for order
Early Zhou Dynasty was seen as perfect society
Inferiors devoted to service
Superiors looked after dependents

11. Confucianism Five Basic Relationships in Society
Ruler/Subject
Father/Son
Husband/Wife
Older Brother/Younger Brother
Friend/Friend
Chinese gentleman - education and moral standards; birth status not important
Bureaucracy - those who help run government
Courteous, precise, generous, just/fair

12. Daoism/Taoism Founded by Lao Tze (604-531 BCE)
Main Writing: Tao-te-Ching (The Way of Virtue)
Human actions are not important
Most important part of society is natural order of things
The Tao (The Way) - guides all things

13. Daoism/Taoism Search for knowledge and understanding of nature
To understand nothing, it is best to do nothing, to observe nature
Nature is not jealous or power hungry
Does not argue about right or wrong, good or bad

14. Legalism Practical, political reaction to Confucianism
Han Feizi - 3rd century BCE
Powerful and efficient government is key to restoring order
Laws will end civil war and restore harmony
Rewards to good subjects and punish disobedient
Rulers must control ideas and actions of people
Favored by Shi Huangdi during Qin dyansty