Ancient China (Module 4)

Yellow River

A river in China, known for being the first place where ancient Chinese people settled, despite its harsh conditions.

Yangtze River

3rd largest river, provided abundant rain, longer growing season, therefore more food was produced

Xia Dynasty

The very first dynasty in ancient China, founded by Yu the Great around 2070 BCE, known for no written records.

Yu the Great

Founder of Xia Dynasty

Erlitou

Capital city of Xia Dynasty, had paved roads, palaces and tombs. Had bronze and silk production

Anyang

Capital of Shang Dynasty

Zhou Dynasty

longest dynasty in cinese history, created the Mandate of Heaven

Mandate of Heaven

The belief that a ruler's authority comes from a divine source (had to earn the right to rule), and that they must rule with compassion and efficiency.

Confucius

An ancient Chinese philosopher who became a teacher and authored the Analects, emphasizing social order, harmony, and filial piety. (did not land his dream job)

Analects

A book Confucius created for life advice, social order, harmony and humanity

Filial Piety

A Confucian principle emphasizing the importance of family and knowing one's place and expectations within that family.

Mencius

Follower of Confucius, believed humans are good by nature, society creates bad behavior

Legalism

A philosophical belief in ancient China that humans are inherently bad and therefore require strict laws and harsh punishments to maintain order. (bad by nature)

Daoism

A philosophy founded by Laozi that promotes harmony with nature and emphasizes the concept of wuwei, or letting things take their course. (Live in harmony with nature)

Laozi

Founder of Daoism

Wuwei

Letting nature take its course

Yin and Yang

Balance of the universe (Polar opposites)

Qin Dynasty

A dynasty led by Qin Shi Huang known for legalist rule, unifying China, and standardizing weights, measures, language, and writing.

Qin Shi Huange

unifies Qin Dynasty and Qin shi hang together, beloved in the legalist rule, burned books, killed scholars

Great Wall of China

A series of fortifications built to protect against invasions, started by Qin Shi Huang during the Qin Dynasty.

Terra Cotta Army

Thousands of army statuses protecting Qin shi huange

Gaizu

Founder of Han dynasty

Civil Service exams

(began in the Han dynasty) exam for young men to enter burrocacy

Silk Road

An ancient trade route that facilitated the exchange of goods, culture, religion, and technology between East and West.

Han Dynasty

A dynasty founded by Gaozu, known for civil service exams and significant growth in trade and the middle class.

Wuwei

A key concept in Daoism meaning 'non-action' or 'effortless action' in harmony with the natural flow of the universe.

Yin and Yang

A Daoist concept that describes the dual nature of reality as opposing forces that are interconnected and interdependent.