1. Ancient China

2. Geography NE – Cold/dry (drops below -17 and rivers are frozen ½ the year NW – desert/dry SE – Tropical (average 6350 mm rain/year - that’s a two story house!)

3. Early Civilization Development of Farming (7000 BC) similar reasons to Nile River Rice along river, grains in the plains 3000 BC – potter wheels used and houses partly in the ground (mud and straw)

4. Mandate of Heaven Divine intervention Impossible to disprove

5. Dynasties

6. China’s First Dynasties The Xia Dynasty The Shang Dynasty The Zhou Dynasty Periods of history in China are easily studied through the dynasties

7. The First Dynasty The Xia Dynasty Probably not real Stories claim Yu the Great dug channels to drain flood waters (and these became the main waterways of China). Story tells of kings who helped people and explained geography

8. Shang Dynasty 1600 – 1027 BCE Mark the start of Chinese civilization Created writing system Chinese term for civilization is “to transform by writing” 10 000 characters made it hard to read and write Develop cities, vocational specialties, horse drawn chariots Oracle Bones (Divination) Usually tortoise shells

9. Zhou Dynasty 1027 – 256 BCE

10. Change political and social hierarchical system Replace religion with Heaven (divination being in control of the Middle Kingdome... us) Decentralized system of rule by lords (sound familiar?)

11. Zhou Dynasty 1027 – 256 BCE Longest Dynasty in Chinese History Copper and gold coins used for 1 st time China becomes most populated country Unsurpassed Bronze work during this period

12. No more China 771 – 491 BCE (Lord’s loyalty lags and no one state has any real power) 481 – 256 BCE (known as the Warring States) – 200 years of civil war

13. It was during this period that... Pants replaced the robe Chopsticks replaced forks and knives Music and poetry flourish

14. Silver Lining The following emerges during this time period: Confucius (Confucianism) Laozi (Taoism) Legalism Belief System2 main ideas Confucianism Taoism Legalism

15. Confucius Says... Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do Study the past if you would define the future When anger rises, think of the consequences Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand

16. Confucius Human beings were equal and alike at birth Learning and practice set us apart Learning and practice can lead human beings to true humanity Filial piety: respect for elders (turn the world into a family)

17. Taoism Do people need motivation to be good?