1. China
Picture: by user:kallgan (Own work) [GFDL ( or CC-BY-SA-3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons

2. China - Geography Continent: Asia Features: Mountains (Himalayas)
Rivers and Seas (Yangtze, Huang Rivers)
Deserts (Gobi)
These features made trade and travel with China difficult kept China ISOLATED from the rest of the world. This allowed China to create its own ideas and culture!
Map by Reton. [GFDL ( or CC-BY-SA-3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons

3. China - Dynasties China is one of the world’s oldest civilizations
For much of China’s history, it has been ruled by dynasties
Dynasty – a line of rulers from the same family
Picture: By Unknown (18??–18??) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

4. Shang Dynasty – 1122 b.c.e.
First major dynasty in Chinese history.
Invented a writing system using pictographs
Wrote on Oracle Bones
They believed that respect for parents and ancestors was extremely important.
Picture: By Unknown (18??–18??) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

5. Zhou Dynasty 1122 – 256 b.c.e.
Kings of this dynasty created the idea of the Mandate of Heaven – rulers had the approval of the gods. They believed a ruler lost the Mandate of Heaven if there was a natural disaster
Rulers of this dynasty had their friends and family rule smaller areas of China, which lead to the period of the Warring States
There are gaps in years between several dynasties. At times, China was divided among different dynasties or kingdoms.
Picture: By Unknown (18??–18??) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

6. Qin Dynasty 221 – 206 b.c.e.
Shi Huangdi reunited China after the Warring States period and became the Emperor Qin
He began building the Great Wall of China
More wars broke out after Shi Huangdi died
The Spring and Autumn Period is named after an ancient Chinese chronicle that has been one of the core Chinese classics since ancient times.
Map: by Territories_of_Dynasties_in_China.gif: Ian Kiu [CC-BY-SA-3.0 ( or GFDL ( via Wikimedia Commons

7. Han Dynasty 202 b.c.e. – 220 a.c.e.
Liu Bang ended civil wars and reunited China to start this dynasty.
Rulers of this dynasty set up a bureaucracy, which had local rulers chosen for how intelligent they were to help the emperor enforce laws
Expanded China to about the size it is today
Map: by Philg88 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 ( or GFDL ( via Wikimedia Commons

8. Philosophy
Definition – a way of looking at life and thinking about things, study of basic truths and ideas
Picture: By Unknown (18??–18??) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

9. Confucianism
A doctrine (philosophy) based on a Chinese teacher named Confucius and written in a book called the Analects
Believed people could be taught how to behave
All about respect and the “golden rule”
Filial piety – respecting your parents and elders
Rulers should lead by example
Respect for elders who will teach about the 5 key relationships
Picture: By Unknown (18??–18??) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

10. Legalism Philosophy created by Han Fei
Believed people were naturally evil and had to be forced to obey laws
Believed in strict laws and punishments
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11. Daoism (Taoism Created by Laozi
Philosophy whose name means “the way to happiness”
Believed in a universal nature force called “the way” to guide all things
All except humans live in harmony with nature.
Universal nature force
Rulers made few laws
Harmony of Yin and Yang
Picture: By Unknown (18??–18??) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

12. Buddhism Religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama
Began in India
Buddha – Enlightened One
Belief in the Eightfold path – 8 basic laws designed to guide people without making life too strict or too easy
Believed that suffering can be ended if people stop wanting things so much.
Picture: By Unknown (18??–18??) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

13. Chinese Inventions
Farming Inventions – Plow, wheelbarrow, watermill, collar harness
Paper for books and record keeping
Silk – expensive fabric
Gunpowder – fireworks
Acupuncture
Compass
Kung Fu
Picture of an early Chinese rocket
Picture by NASA ( [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

14. Silk Roads
Over time, trade began to open with the west because people from other areas discovered Chinese Silk.
Trans-Eurasian trade route because it linked China and Europe
Traded goods as well as ideas (cultural diffusion)