Ancient China Geographic barriers isolate China Deserts and

Ancient China • Geographic barriers isolate China – Deserts and high mountain ranges – Rainforests divide China from southeast Asia – Pacific Ocean to the east • Civilization emerges in Huang River valley – “River of Sorrows”

Shang Dynasty • First recorded Chinese dynasty, about 1766 BC • Social classes develop – Kings and princes rule – Royal family and noble warriors at the top – Most were peasants

Peasants revolt and remove the dynasty from power A new dynasty takes over Peace is restored, land is redistributed Defensive walls are built Invasions Uses taxes to pay for royal luxuries Corrupt officials are unpunished Government begins to neglect their duties

Dynastic cycle • The rise and the fall of dynasties in China – Zhou overthrew Shang about 1766 BC • Dynasties needed the Mandate of Heaven • Disaster meant that a dynasty lost the favor of heaven – Zhou ends in 256 BC

Confucius • A brilliant scholar and teacher • Taught that relationships shape behavior • Confucianism influences onethird of the world’s population

5 key relationships • Ruler to subject, parent to child, husband to wife, older brother to younger brother, friend to friend • Filial piety (respect for parents)

Achievements • Invented silk-making – Most valuable export • Created the first books • Developed a complex writing system – Writing as an art form (calligraphy) • Improved bronze technology

Feudalism • Under the Zhou dynasty China became a feudal state • System of gov’t in which local lords governed their own lands but owed military service and support to the ruler

Creating the Empire • Shi Huangdi became first emperor – Was very brutal • Conquered many warring states • Built an authoritarian Qin government – Tortured and killed anyone who opposed him

Unity • The feudal state was replaced with 36 military districts • Created a money economy • United Chinese writing • Repaired roads and canals for travel

The Great Wall • Shi Huangdi’s greatest achievement • 25 feet high, thousands of miles long • Feudal states built their own walls, now they were united together • Used to protect the civilization from nomadic bands north of the wall

Han Dynasty • Emperor Wudi strengthened Chinese gov’t and economy • Held a monopoly on iron and salt • Used expansionism – Increased land under Chinese control

The Silk Road • Trade route created by Wudi • Connected China to western countries • Chinese would trade silk for grapes, figs, cucumbers, fur, and glass • 4, 000 miles long

End of the Han dynasty • Han dynasty collapsed after the peasants revolted • The emperors could no longer control powerful warlords • After 400 years of unity, China broke into several kingdoms • Invaders poured over the Great Wall and settled in China