Ancient China Flashcards

What geographical features give China its formidable physical borders?

Pacific Ocean, southeast deserts, Himalayas, north dry land, and cold winters.

What crops were most common in early China?

Wheat, millet, rice, soybeans, peaches, tea, and water chestnuts.

Why were mulberry trees important in early China?

They could be eaten; silkworms ate their leaves, and silkworm cocoons were used to make silk thread.

What does the story of Yu the Great tell us about early China?

China had many floods, and Yu was taught how to fix them.

What was Shang society like?

It was organized into city-states, with a ruling system and population in country side

How were carved animal bones used in early China?

To see the future by interpreting cracks in bones.

What is the core idea of Daoism?

The world works according to the natural order, or Dao/way.

What was the Mandate of Heaven?

Heaven's blessing.

What were some cultural achievements of the Zhou Dynasty?

Developed the feudal system; Zhou leaders were at the top of the social hierarchy; nobles promoted divine right; developed writing systems and bronze objects.

What was China like during the Spring and Autumn period?

The central government declined; kingdoms took matters into their own hands, leading to instability and warfare.

What does the philosophy of Confucianism focus on?

“Golden Rule”- treat others how you want to be treated, Ren, and human relationships

What are the five basic relationships in Confucianism?

Father to son; older brother to younger brother; husband to wife; ruler to subject; friend to friend.

According to Confucianism, what is the basic unit of society?

Family; filial piety.

What cultural achievements and advancements occurred during the Warring States period?

Advances in warfare; a new system of money; bronze weapons with holes in the middle; iron weapons replaced bronze.

What kind of ruler was Shihuangdi?

Harsh ruler, centralized authority, suspicious of others.

What monuments or public works did Shihuangdi create?

Lingqu canal, started the Great Wall of China, Terracotta Army.

How was the Han approach to ruling different from the Shihuangdi's approach?

Decentralized government; power back to Chinese lords.

What was the Silk Road?

A large network of trading routes; merchants traveled to sell Chinese silk and traded with regions including Africa, Arabia, Persia, Europe, and India; it spread ideas and connected many cultures.

What were the effects of the invention of paper and ink?

Chinese developed calligraphy; made copying and writing easier; increased production and distribution of texts and print culture; traded on the Silk Road; fueled bookmaking.

What cultural developments and advancements occurred during the Han Dynasty?

Music and music theory, sculptures, pottery, technological advances, seismograph, waterwheel, power sources, suspension bridges, Buddhism, and Silk Road trade.

Why did people believe the Han had lost the Mandate of Heaven?

They never really helped those in need during famine, even though they were rich, and started to lose power.