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Ancient China
ChinaAbout 1000 years after the Indus valley
people built their first cities, another civilization began in China.
Started in the fertile valleys between the Yellow River and the Yangtze Rivers. -This made China very isolated from other
civilizations. -Only other outsiders near them were the
Mongols.
China SOCIETY
Family was central to society and greatly honored, and everyone had a clear role in society. The elderly had privileges and power The young had very little privileges or power. Women were subservient to men. Society was divided between the nobles and
peasants
ChinaReligion and family were linked
together. Spirits of family were worshipped and were
thought to bring good or bad fortune Every family paid respect to its ancestors
and made sacrifices in their honor.
China The Rulers
People also gave obedience and respect to the ruler.
The ruler had supreme responsibility for the welfare of the people.
Like Egypt, China’s history was marked using dynasties. (rulers)
From Ancient Times until the 1900’s, China has been ruled by one dynasty after another.
Shang, Chou, Ch’in, and Han
China (Shang Dynasty) Developed writing
-Each character stood for an idea and not a sound, making it very difficult to learn.
-People could read it without knowing how to speak it, allowed people with different languages the ability to communicate.
China
They needed someone to steer them the right direction….
3 people emerged
ChinaCONFUCIUS
One philosopher that urged social harmony was named CONFUCIUS
China Confucius
China He believed that order and good government
could be restored if society was reorganized around five basic relationships:
o The relationship between ruler and subject o The relationship between father and son o The relationship between husband and wife o The relationship between older brother and
younger brother o The relationship between friend and friend
ChinaAnother philosopher was Lao Tzu,
Believed that nature was the key to order and harmony.
Believed that a universal force guides all things: rivers, breezes etc.
His followers adopted Taoism
China Lao Tzu
ChinaThe third philosopher was Leglists.
Believed that a highly efficient and powerful government was the key.
Leglists stressed punishments and rewards
China Leglists
China
Together the ideas of these philosophers would eventually helped unite China
China Han Dynasty led by Wu-ti
proclaimed Confucianism the official set of beliefs of the government
Created a university for people to study writing Created a 4000 mile trade road to Persia and the
Mediterranean world that came to be known as “The Great Silk Road”