Chinese Chinese Geography/Early Geography/Early Dynasties/ Dynasties/ ConfuciusConfucius

River DynastiesRiver Dynasties

Two major rivers Two major rivers flow through the flow through the region; The region; The Huang He and Huang He and the Yangtze.the Yangtze.

Mountain ranges Mountain ranges and deserts and deserts occupy two-thirds occupy two-thirds of China’s Land.of China’s Land.

Civilization AppearsCivilization Appears

The Xia Dynasty emerged around 2000 B.C.The Xia Dynasty emerged around 2000 B.C.

Lead by Yu, a mathematician and an Lead by Yu, a mathematician and an engineer. He engineer. He tamed the Huang He using tamed the Huang He using irrigation and flood control projects.irrigation and flood control projects.

In 1532 BC, the Shang Dynasty rises to In 1532 BC, the Shang Dynasty rises to power. power.

Cultural FindingsCultural Findings

Family was Family was central to central to Chinese society.Chinese society.

The men controlled the The men controlled the property and made property and made decisions. Women were decisions. Women were treated as inferiors and treated as inferiors and had to obey the men of had to obey the men of the family.the family.

Arranged MarriagesArranged Marriages..

Findings ContinuedFindings Continued

Believed that family Believed that family ancestors brought good ancestors brought good fortune or disaster.fortune or disaster.

Paid respect and made Paid respect and made sacrifices in their honor.sacrifices in their honor.

Developed WritingDeveloped Writing

Earliest form of writing, oracle bones.Earliest form of writing, oracle bones.

Characters stand for ideas, not sounds.Characters stand for ideas, not sounds.

Thousands of characters; 1,000 to be literate, 10,000 Thousands of characters; 1,000 to be literate, 10,000 to be a scholar. (Yet we have 26 letters in our to be a scholar. (Yet we have 26 letters in our alphabet)alphabet)

Noble children learn to write, Peasant children did not.Noble children learn to write, Peasant children did not.

Technologies and ArtTechnologies and Art

Bronze WorkersBronze Workers

Used in rituals to show Used in rituals to show royal power.royal power.

SilkSilk

Zhou Brings ChangesZhou Brings Changes

1027 BC, a people called the Zhou overthrow the 1027 BC, a people called the Zhou overthrow the Shang dynasty.Shang dynasty.

Felt the gods took away power from the Shang and Felt the gods took away power from the Shang and gave it to the Zhou.gave it to the Zhou.

Zhou dynasty creates the Zhou dynasty creates the

Mandate of Heaven.Mandate of Heaven.

Mandate of HeavenMandate of Heaven

FeudalismFeudalism

A political system, where nobles, or A political system, where nobles, or lords are granted the use of land belong lords are granted the use of land belong to the king.to the king.

Nobles owe loyalty and military service Nobles owe loyalty and military service to the king.to the king.

Later used in Europe and JapanLater used in Europe and Japan

Nobles fought according to a honorable Nobles fought according to a honorable code of conduct (sound familiar?)code of conduct (sound familiar?)

Zhou Dynasty DeclinesZhou Dynasty Declines

Capital City sacked by Nomads.Capital City sacked by Nomads.

Weak control over the nobles, Warlords claimed Weak control over the nobles, Warlords claimed neighboring lands.neighboring lands.

Lords/ Nobles were trained militarily.Lords/ Nobles were trained militarily.

Later called “the time of the warring states”. Later called “the time of the warring states”.

ConfuciusConfucius

Most Influential Most Influential scholar in Chinascholar in China

Born 551 BCBorn 551 BC

Studied and taught history, Studied and taught history, music and moral character.music and moral character.

Believed that social Believed that social order, harmony, and a order, harmony, and a good government could good government could be restored in China.be restored in China.

A Code of Proper A Code of Proper ConductConduct Ruler and SubjectRuler and Subject

Father and SonFather and Son

Husband and WifeHusband and Wife

Older Brother and younger BrotherOlder Brother and younger Brother

Friend and FriendFriend and Friend

Children practiced “Filial Piety”, or respect for their Children practiced “Filial Piety”, or respect for their parents and elders.parents and elders.

Ideas on GovernmentIdeas on Government

Created the form of government called, a Bureaucracy; a Created the form of government called, a Bureaucracy; a civil service or those who run the government.civil service or those who run the government.

Confucianism wasn’t a religion Confucianism wasn’t a religion but an ethical systembut an ethical system..

Spread beyond China and influenced Eastern AsiaSpread beyond China and influenced Eastern Asia

Confucius says Confucius says “Before you embark on a journey of “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”revenge, dig two graves.”

Legalists Take ControlLegalists Take Control

Believed a highly efficient and powerful government Believed a highly efficient and powerful government was the key to restoring order.was the key to restoring order.

Government should use the law to end civil disorder Government should use the law to end civil disorder and restore harmony.and restore harmony.

Controlled ideas as well as actions.Controlled ideas as well as actions.

Disobedient should be harshly punished.Disobedient should be harshly punished.

Qin Comes to PowerQin Comes to Power

221 BC, Qin ruler assumes the 221 BC, Qin ruler assumes the name Shi Huangdi, means first name Shi Huangdi, means first emperor.emperor.

Followed Legalists ideas.Followed Legalists ideas.

Centralized China, Centralized China, created a highway created a highway network of over network of over 4,000 miles. 4,000 miles.

Burned books, poor people forced Burned books, poor people forced to the Great Wall.to the Great Wall.

Great Wall of China created; built Great Wall of China created; built to hold of outside invaders. to hold of outside invaders. Invaders would have to ride Invaders would have to ride halfway to Tibet to get around it. halfway to Tibet to get around it. Viewable from space.Viewable from space.