1. CHINA
1750 B.C. – 220 A.D.

3. Geography of China Greatly varies Mountains in West
High plains in Central China
Rolling hills in South
North China Plain
Coast to the East

4. Rivers of China Huang River (Yellow River) Chang & Xi Rivers
Has fertile yellow soil called loess
Causes river to have a yellow tint
Prone to frequent flooding
Chang & Xi Rivers
Deep channels that can be navigated by modern ships

5. Isolation Caused by distance, mountains, & deserts
Culture not effected by others (India, Rome, etc.)
“Middle Kingdom” – Chinese people thought their culture was superior so they controlled when and how they would interact with others
Caused strengthening of traditional culture

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7. Chinese Dynasties
History generally divided into periods based on which dynasty ruled
4 Main Periods:
Shang Dynasty (1750 B.C. – 1050 B.C.)
Zhou Dynasty (1027 B.C. – 221 B.C.)
Qin Dynasty (221 B.C. – 206 B.C.)
Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.)

8. Shang Dynasty (1750 B.C. – 1050 B.C.)
Invaders called the Shang swept into the Huang River Valley and took control
Established superior irrigation, which helped them maintain power
Over time groups of people settled along the borders of Shang China
China came under constant attack from these groups of people
Zhou eventually overthrew Shang and assumed control

9. Zhou Dynasty (1027 B.C. – 221 B.C.)

10. Zhou Dynasty (1027 B.C. – 221 B.C.)
Zhou rulers justified their right to rule as Mandate of Heaven
Gave nobles land in exchange for military service
Conquered neighboring people
Local nobles became too powerful for rulers and civil war broke out
Greatest Legacy – Work of 2 philosophers

11. Chinese Philosophers Confucius Lao Tzu
Wanted to bring order to China’s social and political life
Taught the importance of family and respect
Teachings eventually collected and created Confucianism
Wanted peace and inner stability for individuals
Believed in finding harmony with nature
Principles of ying and yang
Teachings eventually formed Daoism

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13. Qin Dynasty (221 B.C. – 206 B.C.) Shih Huang-ti – Lord of Qin Dynasty
First to call himself Emperor of China
United all of China through conquest
Believed power should rest with absolute ruler
People were not necessarily good, and government should punish misbehavior
Rejected Confucianism

14. Qin Dynasty (221 B.C. – 206 B.C.) Accomplishments
Centralized power by dividing China into districts
Each district had own military and leaders
Began construction of roads and canals to unite more distant areas
Developed uniform writing and measurement systems
Great Wall of China
Joined existing walls to protect from invasions
1,500 miles long, 22 feet high, 15 feet thick

15. Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.)

16. Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.)
Qin Emperor died and civil war broke out
Han Emperor emerged as ruler
Invented paper
Established exams to select imperial servants
Covered history and Confucian ideas
Strengthened power of emperor by weakening independence of nobles
Imperial service no longer a birth right
Provided opportunity for commoners to climb social ladder

17. Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.)
Established overland trade routes – Silk Road connected China to Middle East
Wealthy families were large so sons could serve in military and daughters could be married into other wealthy families
Wealthy women were well treated and influential
Women subordinate to men

18. Fall of the Han Dynasty
Emperors were weakened by a series of rebellions against their authority
Emperors gave more power to provincial governors, some of whom became local warlords
221 A.D. – Han Emperor turns power over to independent warlord
Han China collapses into civil war

19. End of the Empires Similar to the fall of the Roman Empire
Vast empire hard to control – Problems with transportation and communication
Weakened central control results from increased power of local warlords
Early rulers were strong and talented
Later rulers were weak and overthrown
Wide spread government corruption

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21. Chinese Religions
3 Main Religions
Confucianism
Daoism
Buddhism

22. Confucianism Based on teachings of Confucius Major Beliefs
Natural Order – Each person has a role in society which reflects their position in the universe.
Role of Each Person – People must meet their obligations for society to live in harmony.
In relationships there are 2 roles (Filial Piety)
Superior – Must show love and responsibility
Inferior – Show loyalty and obedience
Mandate of Heaven – Ruler benefits his people, and the people obey their ruler

23. Daoism Based on teachings of Lao Tzu
People should accept the way of nature rather than resist it
Followers accept things the way they are instead of trying to change them
You can achieve enlightenment by “non-striving”, enjoying nature, and using contemplation to abandon earthly concerns

24. Buddhism Brought by missionaries from India during the Han Dynasty
When Han Dynasty fell many people turned to Buddhism because they felt the teachings of Buddha helped explain the disruption that accompanied the collapse
Emphasized university charity and compassion – You could end self-suffering by eliminating selfish desires
Only Chinese religion that was concerned with the afterlife

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