People, Religion, History and Government

EAST ASIA

East Asia can trace many of its cultural features to an ancient civilization that arose in China thousands of years ago. In the centuries that followed, powerful dynasties ruled China, creating an enormous empire that influenced the entire region. Today, migration and trade have paved the way for an exchange of ideas and practices between East Asia and other parts of the world. Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea have become modern industrial nations.

INTRODUCTION

ANCIENT CHINESE TIMELINE

Emperor reforms

govt, improves efficiency

Life improves,

lower taxes, more

farming

Problems begin (wars,

invasions)

Taxes go up,

conscription, farming neglected

Increased spending, corruption

Droughts, floods, famines

Respect lost, rebels

attack landlords

Rebels united strong leader, attack

emperor

Emperor is defeated

A new dynasty comes to

power

Start

The Dynast

ic Cycle

Xia Dynasty-2205-1575 BC Chinese learned how to make Bronze

Zhou Dynasty-1045-256BC Confucius is born Cast Iron is invented along with Iron Plough Ruled for about 800 years Culture and trade spread Wrote down laws for the first time Made first coins Famers began to use a plow pulled by oxen

Qin Dynasty221-206BC First dynasty to Unite China under one Empire Greatest ruler Shi Huangdi He ordered and built much of the Great Wall of China

Han Dynasty-206BC-220AD Paper is invented Travel on silk road begins 200BC Buddhism introduced to China Arts and science flourished

DYNASTIES IN CHINA

Tang Dynasty-618-907 Wood block printing first used in China to print entire book Enjoyed unity stability and progress

Song Dynasty-960-1279 Moveable printing invented Gun powder Magnetic compass Marco Polo begins travels to China Enjoyed unity stability and progress

Ming Dynasty-1368-1644 Establish trade with India and Africa Construction of Forbidden City Beijing new capital Portuguese arrive

Qing Dynasty-1644-1912 Last dynasty of China before being overthrown by the Republic of

China

DYNASTIES IN CHINA

Chinese Dynasties and Their Achievements

Dynasties NotableRulers Achievements

Xia Dynasty 2100-1800 B.C.E.

Aryans • Migrated into the area and conquered the local peoples

• Developed superior weaponry and technology

Shang Dynasty 1500-1100 B.C.E.

Thirty separate kings

• Ruled from a succession of seven different capitals.

• Invention of writing

Zhou Dynasty1122-256 B.C.E.

Kings +Noblemen

• Expansion• Regional rulers

Qin Dynasty221-206 B.C.E.

Qin • Centralization of authority• Written laws• Building projects (Great Wall of China)

Han Dynasty HanWudi

• 400 year rule• Exploration (Zhang Qian)• Expansion of trade• Silk Road• Pax Sinica • Food reserves• Merit-based appointments

Built to keep invaders outThe wall linked many older walls in northern ChinaThe original Great Wall was started by the Qin

Dynasty following dynasties continued to work on it. Later the Ming Dynasty rebuilt the wall. Much of the

Great Wall that we know today was built by the Ming Dynasty.

The Great Wall of China is a wall that covers much of the northern border of China.

If you take the length of the entire wall, plus various branches, it is around 5,500 miles long!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB4nXADdPPY

GREAT WALL OF CHINA

A pathway used to exchange raw materials; trade and travel west

The silk road consisted of trails, roads, bridges, and pathways that stretched across nearly 5000 miles of land and water.

The silk road is not one long road, but rather many smaller roads and pathways that were connected, and worn by the use of thousands of travelers over a period of hundreds of years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn3e37VWc0k

THE SILK ROAD

THE SILK ROAD

Occupation: Philosopher and teacherBorn: 551 BC in China, the state of LuDied: 479 BC in China, the state of LuBest known for: Creating the philosophy

known as ConfucianismBasic ideas of Confucianism:

Treat others kindly Have good manners and follow daily rituals A man should have good morals and ethics Family was important and ancestors were to be respected A true man had the qualities of integrity, righteousness,

altruism, goodness, and loyalty One should practice moderation in all things He believed in a strong and organized central government

CONFUCIUS “WHAT YOU DO NOT WANT DONE TO YOURSELF, DO

NOT DO TO OTHERS”.

Was the palace of the Chinese emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

It is located in the heart of Beijing, the capital city of China, and is the largest ancient palace in the world.

built under the orders of the powerful Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty between the years 1406 to 1420.

Twenty-four diff erent Chinese emperors lived in the palace over the course of nearly 500 years.

About 100,000 artisans and craftsmen worked on the palace.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QvsCr_xK3c

FORBIDDEN CITY

How do you think the Silk Road contributed to cultural diff usion?

What regions did the Silk Road connect?What physical barriers did traders traveling along the

Silk Road have to overcome?Why was the Great Wall of China built?What are some technological advancements invented

by the Chinese?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbYEwsIjxQo

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Much of its history China was ruled by dynasties A series of rulers from the same family line

Rulers of these dynasties were called Emperors In early times the lands were ruled by the feudal system

where lords owned the lands and peasant farmers worked the lands for them.

In later years, the empire was run by civil service offi cials who ran the cities, collected taxes, and enforced the laws. Men had to pass exams to become offi cials.

The great enemy of the Chinese was the Mongols who lived to the north. They even built a wall thousands of miles long to try and keep

the Mongols from invading. The Mongols did conquer China for a time, however, and

established their own dynasty called the Yuan Dynasty.

CHINA-HISTORY

FEUDAL SYSTEM

People 1.3 billion-World’s largest population Language: Majority speak Mandarin-one of the offi cial languages,

Although English is widely spoken Only 10% live in western China 92% ancestry of Hans Chinese Population continues to grow around 6 million people a year Offi cials have urged people to delay having Children and even have

tried to limit each couple to one child Economy

China used to have a Command Economy Economic system in which the government the government owns all

businesses and makes all the decisions In the 1970’s began allowing aspects of market economy China is currently a MIXED ECONOMY Today China has world’s second largest economy Hong Kong is home to some of the world’s tallest buildings The service industry in Hong Kong is growing

CHINACAPITAL: BEIJING

Religion Ancient religious values and beliefs shape life for the

people. Daoism

stresses living simply in harmony with nature Buddhism

came to China from India believe moral behavior, kindness and meditation can lead to

peace Many Chinese blend elements of Daoism and Buddhism

with Confucianism A philosophy based on the ideas and teachings of Confucius Stresses the importance of family, moral values, and respect for

one’s elders

Other major religions Christianity and Islam

CHINA

Chinese Philosophies/Religions

Philosophy/Religion

Founders Characteristics

Confucianism Confucius (Kongzi)

• Peace and order• Respect for elders• Ethical human relationships

Daoism Laozi • Reject material things• Commune with nature• Become one with Dao (force within all

things)

Buddhism Budda • Four Noble Truths• Eightfold path• Nirvana• Harmony with the universe

What East Asian cultural belief do you think is being reflected in the painting?

Government More economic freedom has not led to more political freedom Communist government tightly controls most aspects of life

Ex: Controls newspapers, internet access Led by Communist party offi cials China harshly punished people who oppose government

1989 more than 100,000 people gathered in Tiananmen Square in Beijing

Government tried to get protestors to leave When protestors refused they used tanks and troops to make

them leave Hundreds were killed and many injured and imprisoned

Chinese believe that their guiding principals ( Four Cardinal Principals) outweigh certain human rights

Government regulates society with censorship of free speech

CHINA

Environmental Problems Pollution Loss of forestland and farmland Plans on using more hydroelectric power generated by

dams Built Three Gorges Dam

Largest dam in the worldLocated on Yangtze RiverPositives

Generated as much power as 15 coal burning power plants.

NegativesThe water of the dams reservoir now covers hundreds of towns and huge amounts of farmlandsMillions of people have had to movePlant and animal habitats have been harmed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gze9QVt6EfQ

THREE GORGES DAM

Geography Smaller than California with four times the population

Economy One of the world’s strongest fishing economies Most of Japans food is imported Trade in Japanese electronics has led to the diffusion of

playing video gamesPeople

Densely populated country Most people live in crowded cities

Ex: In Tokyo they have started building underground Some people live in rural villages where they work on

farms However most of the land in Japan is not arable

Language-nearly everyone speaks Japanese

JAPANCAPITAL: TOKYO

JAPANESE TIMELINE

History Heavily infl uenced by China

Buddhism First central government based on China’s government Has experienced more cultural diffusion from western nations than

other countries in East Asia For many centuries Emperors ruled Japan At times emperors would become more concerned with art

and when power would fade SHOGUNS would take control 1898 a group of samurai overthrew shoguns and gave control

back to the emperor WWII began 1939

Allied with Germany and Italy Bombed Pearl Harbor In return the United dropped two atomic bombs Hiroshima and

Nagasaki Japan surrendered

JAPAN

Religion Most people blend elements of Buddhism and Shinto Buddhism brought to Japan from Korea Shinto is native to Island

Nature spirits called Kami live in the world Believe everything in nature-the sun, moon, trees, rocks

waterfall and animals has Kami Build shrines to Kami and perform ceremonies to ask for

their blessings

JAPAN

Traditions and Customs History lives on the traditions and customs Kimonos-traditional robes for special occasions Art

Two types of drama Noh

use music and dance to tell a story Actors do not move much and wear a mask using gestures to

convey tale Kabuki-

Actors are much more active Tell stories as well as teach lessons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67-bgSFJiKc

JAPAN

GovernmentSince the end of WWII has been headed by a

constitutional monarchy headed by an emperor Japan has a parliamentary system of government like

Britain and Canada. Unlike the Americans or the French, the Japanese do

not elect a president directly. Diet members elect a prime minister from among

themselves. The prime minister forms and leads the cabinet of

ministers of state.

JAPAN

How do you think the location of Japan aff ects the economy?

Why do you think only 10% of the population lives in western China?

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Korea was fi rst unified by the Silla kingdom in A.D. 676.

The Buddhist temples of Seokguram and Bulguksa were built in A.D. 751. These temples illustrate the growth of Buddhism in Korea after it spread there from India and China in the 4th century.

The Mongols invaded Korea in 1231, beginning more than 120 years of Mongol rule.

An independent kingdom for much of its long history, Korea was occupied by Japan beginning in 1905 following the Russo- Japanese War.

Split into North and South Korea in 1945 after WWII ending Japans 35 year occupation of Korea

KOREAS-HISTORY

People Language: Korean

Religion traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian

Government Communist state one-man dictatorship Rule by ONE Chief of state: KIM Jong Un (since 17 December 2011) Suffer human rights abuse, poverty and widespread hunger Government regulates society with censorship of free speech

Economy Command Economy-Government plans the economy and decides what

to produce one of the world's most centrally directed and least open economies, faces chronic economic problems. Large-scale military spending draws off resources needed for

investment and civilian consumption Relies more on agricultural economic activity more than the

other East Asian countries

NORTH KOREACAPITAL: PYONGYANG

People Language: Korean and English

Religion Christian 31.6% (Protestant 24%, Roman Catholic 7.6%),

Buddhist 24.2%, other or unknown 0.9%, none 43.3%Government

Republic divided into three branches: executive, judicial, and legislative

Economy Over the past four decades has demonstrated incredible

economic growth and global integration to become a high-tech industrialized economy

Twelfth largest economy in the world South Korean has an economy that operates similar to Japan

SOUTH KOREACAPITAL:

People Language: Mandarin Chinese

Religion mixture of Buddhist and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%

Government Multiparty Democracy Taiwan's power is distributed among five large branches of

governmentEconomy

dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing government guidance of investment and foreign trade.

Industries: electronics, communications and information technology products,

petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals

TAIWANCAPITAL: TAIPEI

History There is evidence of human settlement in Taiwan dating as

far back as 30, 000–40, 000 years ago. Chinese began settling Taiwan in 600s Has been controlled by both Japan and China Taiwanese didn't like the idea of becoming a part of Japan,

and on May 25th 1895 – with the help of the Manchu offi cials -- the Taiwan Republic , the

first independent republic in Asia was established. May 29th 1895, a Japanese military force of over 12,000

soldiers landed in Northern Taiwan, and began to destroy the movement.

On October 21st 1895, Japanese troops entered Tainan, the southern capital of the Taiwan Republic, ending the Taiwan Republic.

The Chinese government claims that Taiwan is a rebel part of China

http://www.preceden.com/timelines/36327-the-history-of-taiwan-timeline

TAIWAN

History 700 years ago one of the greatest powers in the world Led by ruler Genghis Khan Mongols conquered much of Asia

including China Built the greatest empires during that time Reach height in late 1200s Empire stretched from Danube river in west to Pacific Ocean

in east 1600’s China conquered Mongolia and ruled it for 200 years With Russian help they gained Independence in 1911 1924 Communist gained control 1991 Collapse of Soviet Union they have struggled to build

a democratic and free-market economy

MONGOLIA

People Sparsely populated: 3million people Language: Khalkha Mongol 90% (offi cial), Turkic, Russian Half of the people live as nomads

Herding livestock across the vast grasslands

Religion Buddhist 53%, Muslim 3%, Christian 2.2%, Shamanist 2.9%,

other 0.4%, none 38.6%Government

Parlimentary Economy

extensive mineral deposits have transformed their economy Main industries

Textiles, carpets, copper, coal and oil

MONGOLIA

Which countries government is most like the Japan?What accounts for most of the cultural diff usion in

East Asia?

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING