Ancient Chinese Civilization

  • Geography
    • The Yellow River has been nicknamed “China’s Sorrow” because of many devastating floods
    • China developed isolated from India and the West
    • Farther away, rugged mountains, and harsh deserts
    • Influenced by fewer other cultures than any other civilization
    • Considered nomads to the north and west to be culturally inferior
    • Called themselves the “Middle Kingdom”
    • Thought they were the center of the world
    • Strong sense of identity and superiority
    • Believed people were only fully civilized if they learned the Chinese language and adopted Chinese customs
    • Invaders eventually lost identities and were absorbed into China’s population
  • Chinese Writing
    • Chinese writing has been found dating back to the Shang Dynasty, around 1200 BCE. Writing was originally done on oracle bones, usually turtle shells or ox scapulae. Bones with writing were put in the fire and the cracks formed were used to answer questions as a form of fortune-telling.
    • Writing was eventually done on bronze and later paper
    • Writing was standardized during the Qin Dynasty
    • Today, educated Chinese people know about 4000 characters
  • The Xia
    • Chinese legends tell of Yu, a mythological figure who drained away floodwaters, so people could live in China
    • Yu established a link of kings called the Xia
    • The Xia rule over the region starting in about 2200 BCE
    • They developed agriculture and used written symbols
    • They lacked methods to control irrigation and floods
  • Shang Dynasty
    • Swept into the Yellow River valley between 1750-1500 BCE
    • First dynasty
    • Strengthened their rule by introducing irrigation and flood control systems
    • Used war chariots and bronze weapons to defend the kingdom’s borders
    • Economy based on agriculture
    • Continuously battled warlike neighboring states
    • Military was finally exhausted
    • Overthrown by Zhou dynasty in 1050 BCE
  • Zhou Dynasty
    • Longest-lasting dynasty
    • No centralized government
    • Believed in the “Mandate of Heaven”
    • God chose rulers
    • Local leaders fought amongst themselves
    • One of the warring states, the Qin, took over as rulers
  • Qin Dynasty
    • Came to power through military force around 221 BCE
    • Lasted on 15 years
    • The name “China” come from Qin
    • Establish autocracy
    • Emperor held total power
    • Forced people to build the Great Wall of China
    • Discontent caused a rebel army to overthrow the empire
    • Founded the Han dynasty
  • Terracotta Army
    • The terracotta army is located in the tomb of the first Qin Dynasty ruler, Shihuanhgi
    • It represents the emperor’s ability to control the resources of the newly unified China
    • It also shows his attempt to recreate and maintain that empire in the afterlife
  • Han Dynasty
    • In power for 400 years
    • Many Chinese people call themselves “People of the Han”
    • Empire larger than the Roman Empire
    • Established a civil service system to run the government
    • Trade prospered along the Silk Road
    • Stretched from China across Central Asia to the Mediterranean region
    • Camel caravans carried jade, silk, and paper to the Greeks and Romans
    • Caravans returned to China with gold, silver, and wool
    • Fell to nomadic people around 220 AD
    • A Chinese general reunified China is AD 581