1. Ancient China
7th Grade Paragon

3. Geography Large land area Natural barriers isolate North China Plain
Rich soil deposits from Huang River
Loess
Surrounded by highlands
Mostly dry, summer monsoon
Southern China
Warm and wet

4. Huang He/Yellow River
Fertile Soil
Trade
Travel

5. Xia Earliest dynasty – Around 2000 BC-1500 BC
No written records, artifacts only (farmers, made pottery) Primary Sources
Possibly Legend
Yu the Engineer
Shang BC
Written evidence
1st Chinese cities with palaces and temples, huge earthen walls
Rich-Cities, rest lived on farms
First to use Sericulture (Silk Farming)
Young honored Old, kids respected adults, honored dead ancestors and thought they would bring them good fortune

6. The Family in China First responsibility is family
As many as five generations lived together
Rich families in one home
Poor/Peasants live in small cottages close together
Oldest man in charge
Arranged marriages
Punish for disrespect
Property divided among sons

7. The Family in China Women lower status then men
“Three obediences”
Obey fathers in youth
Husbands in marriage
Sons in widowhood
“Four Virtues”
Morality, Modesty, Proper Speech, Domestic Skills
Family Names passed down
Last, First

8. Shang King-power from spirits Fight over land
Oracle Bones- writing
Fight over land
Huge divide between rich and poor
Rich had horses and bronze weapons, poor had feet and stones
Division led to conquer by Chou
Started Chinese New Year celebration
First Chinese writing system

9. Zhou (Chou) Dynasty Lasted longest
Feudal system developed: Three classes
Upper class: wealthy and powerful lords
Middle class: warriors who supported the upper class lords
Lower class: peasants and slaves
Upper class made middle and lower class pay taxes to create walls around city, build roads, irrigation
Different states, did not get along . Because they were not unified they were conquered by Qin (Ch’in)

10. Zhou (Chou) Dynasty Philosophy
Confucianism
Taoism
Confucius
Goal to change government
Everyone should treat others with respect
Leaders should be honest and honorable
Lao Tse
Man should live in harmony with nature
Did not believe in war
Did not agree with too many laws
"The more laws that are written, the more criminals are produced." - Lao-Tse

11. Mandate of Heaven
A good and just emperor has divine approval and will last, Bad rulers lose the blessing
Natural disasters and rebellion caused by heaven
Led to pattern of rise, rule, decline, fall, repeat
Known as Dynastic Cycle

12. Inventions by Chinese paper -- first manufactured paper
printing -- first used to distribute religious writing
wheelbarrow -- used to help with large loads
seismograph -- first earthquake detector
compass -- navigation tool
acupuncture -- this is a technique of using many needles to heal or relieve pain
porcelain -- used to make wonderful dishes to serve tea
novels -- earliest books were printed in ancient China
tea -- first to discover and brew tea
gunpowder -- changed the way that wars were fought
paper money -- first to have light-weight paper money
the kite -- made with silk
fireworks -- used to scare away enemies and for entertainment
restaurants -- common people could eat out quite cheaply
calligraphy -- a great form of Chinese art/writing