ANCIENT CHINA

UNIT 3.1 – GEOGRAPHY & TIMELINE OF ANCIENT CHINA

WEEK 3
 Learning Objectives
01 Discuss the Geography and Timeline of Ancient China

Locate on a modern map: China, Mongolia, Huang He and

Yangtze Rivers, East China Sea, South China Sea and the Gobi
02 Desert.

03 Discuss the Dynastic Cycle and its mechanism

MAP
1
MAP
2
MAP
3
 Yellow river (Huang-He) and Yangtze river
(Anyang/ Chang Jiang)
• Chinese civilization grew between Yellow river (Huang-He)
and Yangtze river (Anyang/ Chang Jiang).
• These two major rivers dominated Chinese civilization.
• They flow west to east.
• Why Yellow river is called Yellow?
• Due to fertile yellow soil/silt which clouded the plain of
river.
• Extremely fertile in nature.
• Yellow river also called as China’s Sorrow due to its massive
flooding, which was not only beneficial but also terrible in
killing and destruction (like river Nile).
 Geography of China’s River &
Valleys
• Ancient China dates back from 1523 BC to 221 BC
• Isolated geography
• Chinese believed that they were center of earth
and source of all civilizations
• In south and southwest, surrounded by Tien Shan
(Tibet) and Himalayan range, respectively.
• In north, Gobi Desert of Mongolia.
Chronology/ Timeline
Chronology/ Timeline
Chronology/ Timeline
 Concepts of Dynasty, Dynastic
Cycle & Mandate of Heaven
• Line of rulers from a single family –
Dynasty (like Egypt)
• Dynastic Cycle: If a dynasty does not rule
sufficiently and people and gods are not happy
with it, the rule would transfer to another family
and will create new Dynasty.
• Justified the rise, decline and replacement of
dynasties in Ancient China.
• Mandate of Heaven: Right to Rule, which
dynasties acquire through gods’ approval.
 Resources and References
• Reading material and Images
- Glance of World History: Journey Across Time, The Early Ages – Kentucky Edition
Chapter 7: Early China
- Ancient China: From the Neolithic Period to the Han Dynasty

• Web
https://www.ancient.eu/china/
https://www.history.com/tag/ancient-china
https://www.timemaps.com/civilizations/ancient-china/

• YouTube Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErRFw3DUA4g
 ANCIENT CHINA

UNIT 3.2 – CHINESE INVENTIONS

WEEK 3
 Learning Objectives

Discuss the influence of Chinese Inventions on humankind by

01 various dynasties.
 Writing
• Shang Dynasty introduced pictorial writing which
depicted objects and ideas.
• Qin Dynasty introduced simplified characters and
created centralized system of writing.
• This script further simplified in third century, along with
introduction of two more styles of calligraphy.
• Earlier scripts found on silk, bronze vessels and strips
of bamboo, oracle bones.
• Now almost 50,000 characters in Chinese language.
• Minimum 4,000 are used to do daily functions.
 SILK
• It was invented during the era of Shang
Dynasty.
• It was a valuable product.
• It opened trade routes for China to other
parts of the world.
• Chinese guarded its invention but monks
from Europe got the secret.
 TEA
• Tea drinking started during Zhou Dynasty.
• During Han Dynasty, Chinese started to
use tea as a medicinal drink.
• Tea was used to be a drink for ‘’rich’’
• During Tang Dynasty, tea became a social
drink.
 ALCOHOL
• In China, Alcohol is also known as
‘’Water of History’’
• It was considered a sacred liquid.
• During Tang Dynasty, alcohol was
preferred by famous poets.
• Chinese consume it food rather than
alone.
 HANG GLIDER
• Emperors forced criminals to hang glide
for their amusement.
 KITES

• Used in military operations

• Gunpowder bombardment on enemy's
places.
• Served as unmanned drones.
 SEISMOGRAPH

• World’s first earthquake detector.

• It was made from a bronze vessel.
• It was created during Han Dynasty.
 WHEEL BARROW

• It was created during Han Dynasty.

• Originally, it was intended for military
operations.
• They were used as mobile barricades
and for transportation.
 PASTA
• Chinese came up with pasta first not
Italians.
• Overturned bowl of noodles is found
near Tibetan border.
 PAPER MAKING

• Mixture of water and wood fibres.

• Pressed into a Woven cloth.
• Moisture converted into a pulp resulting
into a rough paper.
 COMPASS

• It was made up of a lodestone.

• Lodestone is a type of magnet.
 GUN POWDER
• It was used in military, fireworks and
signal flares.
 SMELTING IRON
• It was used to make weapons and
farming tools.
• Qin Dynasty witnessed rapid development
of iron industry.
• By the time of Tang Dynasty, there were
104 iron mines all over the country.
• Iron mines were privatized during Qing
Dynasty.
 ACUPUNCTURE
• It is an ancient Chinese medical technique
• It is used to relieve pain, cure disease and
improve general health.
• Several small needles are inserted into
the skin and underlying tissues at precise
points on the body.
 Terra Cotta Army

• Life-size statues that weighs in hundred

of pounds
• Consist of infantry, cavalry, and officers
and organized as marching to war.
• Unique faces and specific uniforms for
identification of ranks.
 Resources and References
• Reading material
- Glance of World History: Journey Across Time, The Early Ages – Kentucky Edition
Chapter 7: Early China
- Ancient China: From the Neolithic Period to the Han Dynasty

• Web
https://china.usc.edu/sites/default/files/forums/Chinese%20Inventions.pdf
https://www.ancienthistorylists.com/china-history/top-18-ancient-chinese-inventions/

• YouTube Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLStXl6CmS8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU3RTO_c9fQ

• Images:
✓ Google Search engine
✓https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/inventions/10-ancient-chinese-invent
ions.htm
 ANCIENT CHINA

UNIT 3.3 – CHINESE SOCIETY: CULTURAL TRAITS, GREAT WALL OF CHI

NA & SILK ROAD
WEEK 3
 Learning Objectives

Discuss the influence of cultural traits and construction of

01 Great Wall of China and Silk Road.
 Construction of Silk Road during
Han Dynasty
• Most remarkable ruler – Han Wu Di
• Pursued military and diplomatic strategies to expand
the empire
• Sent emissaries to West, who brought knowledge
about Xinjiang, Afghanistan and Central Asia.
• It paved the way for establishment of Silk Road.
• Silk Road was combination of passages between
China and countries in south and west.
 Construction of Silk Road

• Silk Road is also known as Silk Route.

• It is the ancient trade route that connected
two great civilizations: Rome and China.
• Christianity and Buddhism reached to China.
• Silk Road became untraveled and unsafe
with the rise of Arabian power and decline
of Romans in Asia.
Great Wall of China
 Great Wall of China
• UNESCO has designated it as a World
Heritage Site.
• It consists of numerous walls.
• The best-preserved version was build
by Ming Dynasty.
• 70% of the total length is actually
constructed and remaining is housed with
natural barriers such as; mountain ridges
and rivers.
 Culture of China
• Family structure was important thing.
• Father had control of household and made
key decision.
• Great emphasis on elders’ respect
• Children were expected to honor their
mother and father.
• Collectivist society
• Writing was similar to Sumerians and
Egyptians.
 Resources and References
• Reading material
- Glance of World History: Journey Across Time, The Early Ages – Kentucky Edition
Chapter 7: Early China
- Ancient China: From the Neolithic Period to the Han Dynasty

• Web
https://www.ancient.eu/Silk_Road/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Silk-Road-trade-route
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Great-Wall-of-China

• YouTube Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjlydnRqcmw

• Images:
✓ Google Search engine
✓https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/ancient-medieval/silk-road/
a/the-silk-road
 ANCIENT CHINA

UNIT 3.4 – CHINESE IDEOLOGIES: CONFUCIANISM AND DAOISM/ TAOIS

M
WEEK 3
 Learning Objectives

Explain ideals, practices, and impact of Confucianism and Daoism/

01 Taoism in ancient China
 Confucianism
• Started by Confucius – Master King
• Born in 551 – 479 BC
• Philosophy and Code of Behavior. Not Religion
• Emphasized on virtue through strong ethics,
respect for elders and authority figures,
close family ties, and practice of rituals and
traditions (like ancestor worship).
• Believed in concepts of Duty, Authority and
strong organized government
 Confucianism
• Duty – Person should prioritize the need of
family and community
• Duty and Authority in 5 relationships 1) father
and son, 2) elder and junior brother, 3) husband
and wife, 4) friend, 5) Ruler and subject
• Proper conduct and mannerism
• Development of bureaucracy and civil service
examination
• Disciples of Confucius collected his ideas and
composed a book called Analects
 Taoism/ Daoism
• Founder – Laozi/ Lao Tzu (604 BC – 531 BC)
• Laozi also called as Old Master
• Emphasized on simple living and harmony with
nature.
• No believe on rule or government
• Disagreed with Confucius’ ideology of organizing
society. It viewed as aggressive intervention of
controlling others.
• Preached kindness, tolerance, and quiet
contemplation.
• Book – Tao Te Ching
YIN AND YANG
 TAOISM
• Tao – the WAY – can be achieved by
balancing the two complementary forces
of Yin and Yang
• Yin (Female, dark, negativity, earth) –
Yang (Male, light, positive, heaven)
• 2 methods. 1) Meditation, 2) Physical
exercise – Kung Fu, Tai Chi
 Buddhism
• Introduced in China in 563 BC after India
by travelers through Silk Road
• Challenged Confucianism and Taoism
between 300 and 500 BC. Became state
religion by 500 AD
• Strive to free oneself from worldly desires
and rituals by attaining nirvana (state of
peace and joy).
• Believed on rebirth and Karma
 Resources and References
• Reading material
- Glance of World History: Journey Across Time, The Early Ages – Kentucky Edition
Chapter 7: Early China
- Ancient China: From the Neolithic Period to the Han Dynasty

• Web sources and Images

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Confucianism
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Daoism

• YouTube Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z37q2f-XMJ0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUhGRh4vdb8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFb7Hxva5rg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tilBs32zN7I