China Study Guide

Study tool for the SS test on China.

Period of 100 Schools

A time during the Warring States Period where there were many different beliefs on how to unite China.

The Tao

The ideal path in your life

Chi

Energy that is in all things; goal is to find balance; Main idea of Taoism.

Yin and Yang

The idea that good cannot live without evil and vice versa; Main idea of Taoism.

Pu

Simplicity; the idea that living simply will make you happy; Main idea of Taoism.

Wu Wei

Non-action; Doing a little bit at a time is better than doing everything at once; Main idea of Taoism.

Non-contention

The idea that conflict and violence are negative and problems should be solved in peaceful ways; Main idea of Taoism.

Non-intention

Doing a good deed because it comes naturally, not because you seek praise; Main idea of Taoism.

Filial Piety

respect for elders; Main idea of Confucianism.

Lead by example

Doing good things so others will follow in your lead; Main idea of Confucianism.

The Golden Rule

Treat others the way you want to be treated; Main idea of Confucianism.

Respect

Treating others with kindness; Main idea of Confucianism.

Wisdom/Knowlage

Main idea of Confucianism

Confucius

Fonder of Confucianism.

Analects

Book of Confucianism.

Humans are naturally selfish and can’t be trusted

Main Idea of Legalism

Strict laws, harsh punishments

Main Idea of Legalism

Han Fei, Li Si

Philosophers of Legalism

Lau Tzu

Fonder of Taoism

Warring States Period

States during the Zhou Dynast fought each other for control of China

Xia Dynasty

First Dynasty

Great Yu invented irrigation (Story)

Major Accomplishments of the Xia Dynasty

Shang Dynasty

Second Dynasty

Oracle bones become the first writing

Major Accomplishments of the Shang Dynasty

Zhou Dynasty

Third Dynasty

Warring states period; Period of 100 Schools

Major Accomplishments of the Zhou Dynasty

Qin Dynasty

Fourth Dynasty

Shin Huang unites China; Government is Legalism; Great Wall began; Book burning in 213 BCE

Major Accomplishments of the Qin Dynasty

Yuan Dynasty

Fifth Dynasty

Mongols took over; expanded trade

Major Accomplishments of the Yuan Dynasty

Ming Dynasty

Sixth Dynasty

Capital moved to Beijing; Great Wall fortified; Forbidden city built in 1420; Ming treasure ship expeditions.

Major Accomplishments of the Ming Dynasty

(The Great) Yu

Lived in the Xia Dynasty invented irrigation

Shin Huang Ti

Unites China and becomes the first empire; Built the terracotta army

Zheng He

Led the Ming treasure ship expeditions

Mandate of Heaven

Idea that you have been giving the right to rule by the gods

Kublai Kahn

Leader of China during the Yuan Dynasty, when the Mongol empire took over.

Sky, Snow and Broken Sword

Three powerful Zhao assassins, killed by Nameless

Nameless

Main character of Hero, killed the Zhao assassins.

Three common characteristics of Chinese landscape painting:

Water = Tao, Nature front and center, humans small.