1. APRIL 14, 2016
Chinese History Notes

2. Ancient History By 4000 BCE Circa 1500 BCE
Village settlements along Hwang he River
Farming, stone tools, weapons (bow and arrow), animal domestication, pottery
Circa 1500 BCE
Picture writing (oldest writing in existence)
Now around 40,000 characters

3. Political Structure Succession of dynasties
Families that pass the right to rule the nation from one generation to the next

4. The Dynastic Cycle Emperor reforms govt, improves efficiency
Life improves, lower taxes, more farming
Problems begin (wars, invasions)
Taxes go up, conscription, farming neglected
Increased spending, corruption
Droughts, floods, famines
Respect lost, rebels attack landlords
Rebels united strong leader, attack emperor
Emperor is defeated
A new dynasty comes to power
Start
The Dynastic Cycle

5. Accomplishments Invented written language
Symbols represent ideas not sounds
No connection between spoken and written language
Unites all people of China

6. Science
CE – civilization superior to that of medieval Europe
Paper and ink
Movable type
Movable blocks with cut-out raised characters
Compass
Gunpowder
Originally for firecrackers
Silk manufacturing
Irrigation and farming techniques

7. Social Structure Feudalism: Local lords given land to control
Peasants worked the land
Lords provide military service, food, and taxes to the emperor

8. thought (philosophies) to “governing”
Three main schools of
thought (philosophies) to “governing”
developed in Ancient
China
TAOISM
CONFUCIANISM
BUDDHISM
The goal of all of these is to maintain political stability by generating social harmony within the country. 8

9. Confucius Video

10. Intellectual Developments
Confucius
Preached ethical system based on peace and order
Five Relationships
Ruler-Subject
Father-Son
Husband-Wife
Older brother-Younger brother
Friend-Friend

11. Teachings of Confucius
Filial Piety
Respect for elders
Code of Ethics
NOT a religion
Based on relationships
Becomes foundation of Chinese society

12. Expansion of Trade
Critical to expansion of trade and accumulation of wealth in China, Rome, India, Egypt, and Persia

13. China “Opens Up” to the World
China and the West had little contact until the 19th century,
European powers sought access to Chinese markets.
China tried to remain isolated from the West. 13

14. China had a weak military and an ineffective government.
The Political Geography of China in the Late 19th Century:
China had a weak military and an ineffective government.
Europeans force Chinese to sign treaties favoring Europeans
Also, Europeans in China were only subjected to the laws of their country and not under Chinese rule. 14

15. The Economic Geography of China in the Late 19th Century:
China was carved up into “spheres of influence” controlled by mainly European nations.
(A sphere of influence is an area or region over which a foreign nation or organization has significant economic or political influence). 15

16. 16

17. NOW WHAT?
Many wanted to form a democracy and industrialize through a free-market economy
Wanted to modernize like Japan
In 1912, democratic reformers founded the Kuomintang
A.K.A Nationalist Party
Formed a new democratic government. 17

18. The Rise of the Communism in China
Throughout the 1920s, the Chinese Communist Party became an increasingly popular and powerful force in China among workers and peasants and challenged the Nationalist Party. 18

19. Another “New” China Emerges
Mao Zedong
Another “New” China Emerges
In 1949, the Communists, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, finally defeated the Nationalists.
Chiang Kai-shek and the Nationalists fled to the island of Taiwan
Established a new government
Still tension between Mainland China and Taiwan today 19

20. TWO CHINA’S????
People’s Republic of China
Republic of China 20

21. Capitalism - Communism
(Adam Smith - Wealth of Nations)
Allow people to pursue economic self interest
Hard work and individual freedom will allow people to improve their lives
Raise money(capital) from market- invest in business- keep profits
Government should not interfere with the economy - free market
Communism
(Karl Marx - Das Capital)
People should work together to improve the nation and have equal share of the nation’ wealth
Workers should control means of production (resources, farming and industry)
Government controls and plans the economy - command economy

22. Why do China and Taiwan hate each other?

23. Communist China Crash Course
Start at 8:10

24. The Four Modernizations
Deng Xiaoping
Modernize
Agriculture
Industry
Science
Military
Huge investment
Radical change - private ownership of business and land allowed