Abstraction/Discussion

Chinese Civilization
Just like what we have done in our activity, it shows the concept of
dynasty. Historically speaking this system is widely used in ancient civilization,
especially in China. Chinese ancient history was characterized by the rulings
of different dynasties, thus, it is called the dynastic cycle.

They Dynastic Cycle

3. A new dynasty is built where

leaders possess the Mandate
of Heaven.
2. The dynasty rules well. The
quality of life improves and
the people lives peacefully.

4. The people mount an uprising

against their ruler. The
1. After some time, the
dynasty crumbles, and the
population increases and
head of the family that led the
corruption becomes rampant.
rebellion becomes the new
The kingdom suffers from
ruler.
calamities, scarcity, hardships,
and disorder. These are
indications that the ruler of
the kingdom has lost the
mandate of heaven.
 THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CIVILIZATION AND EMPIRE IN CHINA
 Community began when the Yellow River flourished.
 The ancient history of the Chines civilization can be characterized by the rise and
fall of the dynasties that ruled the country.

Dynasty Descriptions and Events Contribution Downfall

and
Achievement
1. Xia  The First dynasty in traditional - Knowledge in - People
Dynasty Chinese historiography. pottery revolted
(ca. 200  It was located in the province because of
BCE) of Shanxi. the abusive
“Hsia ruler and
Dynasty” replaced by
Shang
dynasty
2. Shang  A Chinese dynasty that ruled in - The use of - Shang fell
Dynasty the lower Yellow River Valley metal because of an
(ca.  Anyang is the capital province implements abusive leader
1600-  Recognized as the first literate - invention of a who was
1500 group of people in Asia written violently
BCE.) language replaced by
“Jiaguwen” or another ruler
Oracle Bone from Zhou.
Script
- Silk Weaving
3. Zhou  Reigned in China for almost - Started to use - Civil wars
Dynasty 900 years, it was the longest- of fertilizer and between
(ca. ruling dynasty in China. metal seven warring
1100-  It was during this time that the implements for states in the
356 idea of a Mandate of Heaven farming as well kingdom of
BCE.) surfaced. This became the as plow harness Zhou (Qi,
foundation of Dynastic Cycle. for the Water Chu, Yan,
 The territories expanded which Buffalo. Han, Zhao,
gave rise to the feudal system. - Used of Metal Wei, and
 Silk became important trade Coinage Qin)-
goods - Confucianism “Warring
 During this time, the great and Taoism States
Chinese Philosophers Kung Period”. The
Fuzi, Laozi, and Meng Zi gained civil war
prominence. ended when
the Qin state
gained
complete
 control over
the entire
kingdom.
4. Qin  The first empire in Chinese - Transportation - The dynasty
Dynasty civilization under the leadership and lasted for 15
(ca. 256- of Emperor Shi Huangdi. (Shin Infrastructure years in 210
206 Huang Ti) (Canals, Roads, BCE., Shi
BCE.)  The name China has its roots in and Bridges) Huangdi died.
the Ch’in. - The Great The farmers
 Feudal States became new Wall of China- and members
provinces. It was built of the nobility
 Shi Huangdi was a ruthless because of a staged
ruler. He believed that order threat of revolts. Liu
and progress could only be invasions of Bang- A
achieved under strict nomadic people peasant –
leadership. from south of emerged as
 Shi Huangdi made Legalism the Gobi Desert. the rebel
basic Philosophy for his rule. leader who
He ordered burning books of became an
Confucianism and torturing or emperor and
killing Confucians teacher. established a
 The members of nobility were dynasty.
forced to in the dynasty’s
central capital, Xianyang, and
their weapons were
confiscated.
 Shi Huangdi conquered and
killed many foes, fearing that
his victims might exact a
revenge in the afterlife, he had
6,000 life-sized Terracotta
statues of soldiers, along with
1,400 chariots made.
5. Han  The Han started its dynasty - The - Weak
Dynasty from the foundation of Ch’in designation of leadership
(206 but improved on the laws that Confucianism - Corrupt
BCE.-220 weakened latter. us the official practices of
CE)  Abusive and unjust edicts were ideology of Emperors
eliminated, taxes were lowered China. - Increasing
and laissez- faire policy - Civil Service power of the
implemented. Examination nobility
- The process of - Attack of
making Silk, nomadic
Ceramic, as well foreigners
  Great Han Leaders: as sundials and from northern
Gaozu Wudi or water clocks Chiina
Wuti were improved
- His name - His name - Seismograph
means “great means was invented.
Founder of “Warlike - The very first
Han” Emperor” Chinese
- Formerly - dictionary was
named Liu Administered made
Bang the first Civil
- Service
Implemented Examination
a combine - Paved the
Philosophies way for Pax
of Sinica or
Confucianism Chinese
and Legalism Peace.
- Rejected
harsh laws
and cruel
punishment
6. Sui  After 300 years of suffering - Construction - Despite the
Dynasty from the absence of peace and of Grand Canal benefits
(589- order. China once again for exportation brought by
618 CE) reunited under one rule. of products the Grand
 Sui Wen Ti- the founder of the such as rice Canal, its
dynasty- praised by the from the construction
Confucians for the reforms southern part of caused
initiated. He was poisoned by China to the hardship to
his son Sui Yang Ti who Northern Part. many
succeeded him to the throne. Chinese. An
 Under Sui Yang Ti, China increase in
conquered Vietnam also tried taxes fueled
but failed to defeat the the explosion
Koguryo Kingdom of Korea. of rebellion.
- Sui Yang Ti
was killed by
his own
followers.
Upon his
death the Sui
dynasty came
to an end.
7. Tang  Considered as one of the - Stabilizing - Tang
Dynasty China’s great dynasties. The centralized dynasty
(619- leaders of Tang expanded the government collapsed in
907 CE) empire’s territory (Tibet, the - allocated 907 because
tributary status of Korea, and lands to the of internal
diplomatic relations to farmers strife and
Southeast Asia) - Weakened the foreign
power of invasions.
landlords - Failed to
address the
corruption of
its rulers.
8. Song  Attacks by foreign invaders - Invention of - The alliance
Dynasty resulted to the empires capital Compass between Song
(960 to moved from Chang’an to - Invention of leaders and
1278) Bianjing in the north, and Gunpowder the Mongol
eventually to Lin’an in the - Movable Type triggered the
south. Printing dynasty’s fall.
The Mongols
dethroning
Song and
occupying
China.
9. Yuan  The first foreign dynasty in - The first - Poverty
Dynasty China paper currency - Zhu
(1278-  This was led by Kublai Khan, to be used Yuanzhang- a
1368) grandson of Genghis Khan predominantly Chinese rebel
 Stop administering the civil was Yuan’s led the group
service examination, and did official that
not give the Chinese high Banknote Chao overthrew the
position on the government - Improve the Mongols and
 In 1275, Marco Polo- a Movable Type caused the fall
merchant from Venice reached Printing of the Yuan
China and became an official of - Blue and Dynasty.
the Mongol government White Porcelain
10. Ming  Last dynasty ruled by the - Improved the - In 1644,
Dynasty Chinese empires foreign troops
(1368-  Zhu Yuanzhang- Emperor of shipbuilding from Manchu
1644) Hongwu, the founder and first and sailing invaded China
Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. methods and overthrew
 Inforced Isolationism or Haijin - Built the the Ming
Forbidden city Dynasty.