ANCIEN

T CHINA
Timeline : 2000 BC – 200 AD
 GEOGRAPHY TO
THE EAST
• In the beginning, China began its
development very differently than other
civilizations popping up around the globe.

• Early Chinese culture isolated themselves

off from other cultural influences.

• This allowed China to establish a

foundation for its own civilization.

• China’s natural barriers include a few

vast deserts.
• To the north is the Gobi desert
which borders Mongolia.
• To the west is the Taklimakan
desert which discouraged
invaders and other tribes. • China’s major mountain ranges include the Himalayas, Tian
Shan, and the Pamir mountains.
 THE MAJOR
RIVERS
Like most other ancient civilizations, China’s settlements began along the fertile river valleys between two of
the largest rivers
Chang Jiang
Huang He
• The Huang He runs about 3,395 miles long.
• It is also called the Yellow river because of the high
concentration of yellow silt.
• For many years, this river has flooded many times
causing settlements to continue to shift in location

• The Chang Jiang runs 4,000 miles through central China.

• Also called the Yangtze river, it is the third longest river
in the world.
• For thousands of years, this river has served as a useful
transportation and trade network for the surrounding
settlements
THE FIRST Remember: A dynasty is a line of rulers from
the same family
DYNASTIES
• The Shang dynasty emerged along the
Huang He River in 1600 BC
• They established a society with the
kings being at the top, warlords under
them, and farmers at the bottom.
• Farmers grew crops such as millet,
wheat, and rice.

The Shang’s were the first in developing a Chinese

system of writing with 3000 characters. This would be
the basis for modern Chinese writing we see today.

The first writings appeared on

Oracle Bones like this one.
 Timeline 1600 BC to 1045 BC

SHANG DYNASTY

• The Shang tribe worshipped their dead

ancestors.
• They believed this influenced everything from the
health of the king to the farmers’ harvest.
• To keep the spirits happy, priests conducted special
ceremonies.
• The Shang people were very skilled metal workers
too. Some of the most elaborate tombs were made
of Iron and Bronze for their dead kings.
By 1045 BC, the Shang dynasty began
to weaken… The Zhou (Joh) overthrew
the kingdom starting the next dynasty.
 ZHOU
Timeline: 1045 BC – 256 BC
DYNAST
Y • Lasting 800 years, The Zhou
dynasty marked a period in China’s
classical period.
• The Classical Period lasted 2000
years being a time of major social
This initiative was and cultural advances.
called the Mandate
• The Zhou adopted many of the
of Heaven
Shang traditions and practices
including ancestor worship
The Zhou people believed that a and the use of oracle bones.
king could rule only as long as the • The Zhou would also develop
gods deemed him worthy. a new concept, that would be
This mandate led to a pattern in the the guide for who ruled and for
rise an fall of the dynasties… how long.
 1. People believe gods approve of the new dynasty.
DYNASTIC CYCLE 2.
3.
Dynasty begins to weaken
Disasters occur
4. People believe the gods no longer approve of their
dynasty
5. Dynasty is overthrown
6. A new dynasty re-establishes order.
WARRING STATES
• For the first 200 years of the Classical
Period, the Zhou people establish a
strong central government.
• However, the Zhou begin to divide their
lands among local lords.
• Eventually, the ruling lords grew too
powerful and fought amongst
themselves.
• By 475 BC, the Zhou Kings were disobeyed
and China descended into a time of constant
war.
• We call this time the period of the Warring
By 256 BC, the last Zhou king was States.
overthrown… and a new dynasty began.
CONFUCIU
S able to change is the greatest
• By 551 BC, the greatest Chinese
thinker was born.
• He would go on to advocate
political views and donate many of
his thoughts to education
throughout China.
“To know your faults and be
virtue”
• Confucius would institute the
Five Principal Relationships
1. Ruler and Subject
2. Father and Son
3. Elder Brother and younger brother
4. Husband and Wife
5. Friend and friend
 • Silk would become a major resource
for China!!!
SILK
• Eventually this would be the resource
that link them with the rest of the
In the Zhou Era, Chinese discovered
world.
how to make silk from the cocoons of
silkworms

Why was this so

important?!?
 Timeline: 150 BC – 500 AD
THE SILK
ROADS
• By 100 BC, a series of
international trade routes
would be established.
• Beginning as a route for local
overland route for local tribes
eventually formed a massive
network connecting China
with the rest of Asia, Europe,
and Africa.
• Trading began to flourish by 300 AD. Through difficult conditions
• The road stretched 4000 camels would carry 400 to 500 lbs. of goods for a long journey.
• A group of these traders and camels were called caravans and were
miles often seen as a tempting target for thieves. After all a single camel…
would carry a lot of valuable items…
 Timeline: 206 BC-220AD

THE HAN DYNASTY

• By 202 BC, Shi Huangdi dies

and a power struggle consumes
most of China.
• A new leader steps to power
and
The Hanbegins
emperorsthe Han
would Dynasty
lower taxes
and put an end to cruel laws.

• The Han rulers established bureaus or

offices to run the government. We call
this government system a bureaucracy.
 THE GREAT WALL

• To fend off nomad invasions,

fortifications had to be made.

• During the Warring States

period, tribes connected various
parts to a wall which would
connect to make a Great Wall
which was 3,900 miles long.

• The Great Wall is

actually four great walls
rebuilt or extended
during the Han, Sui, Jin,
and Ming periods.
 SOCIAL STRUCTURE DURING THE HAN
• The Han Dynasty defined Chinese
social structure.
• At the top was the Emperor, next kings and governors
who were appointed by the emperor.
• Below them were State Officials, Nobles and Scholars.
• Peasant Farmers came next who were considered vital for
food production.
• Artisans and Merchants were below them.
• Near the bottom were the Soldiers, who guarded the
empire.
• At the very bottom were the Slaves, who were members
of a conquered nation