Ancient China
Chapter 6
Pages 156-195
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Video Clips
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Section 1: Geography and Early China
The Big Idea
Chinese civilization began with the Shang dynasty
along the Huang He.
Main Ideas
• China’s physical geography made farming possible
but travel and communication difficult.
• Civilization began in China along the Huang He and
Chang Jiang rivers.
• China’s first dynasties helped Chinese society
develop and made many other achievements.
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Section 1: Key Terms and People
• Jade – a hard gemstone
• Oracle – a prediction
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

Geography
Earliest Civilization
Travel and
 Chinese

communication
Civilization began
was limited due to
along the Huang
the Gobi Desert to
He River also
the north, Pacific
known as the
Ocean to the east,
Yellow River
and the Himalaya
Mountains to the
southwest
The river valleys
were ideal for
farming because
the floods of the
Huang He River
and Chang Jiang
River left silt to
fertilize the soil
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Xia Dynasty
According to ancient 
stories Yu the Great
was the founder of
the Xia Dynasty
Shang Dynasty
First dynasty to have
been proven by
evidence
Geography


Society/Wars/Communication
The Gobi Desert 
The Himalaya
Mountains
Confucian

system: the
upper class was
made up of an
emperor, his
court, and
scholars who
held
government
positions. The
second class
was peasants.
Next were
artisans,
merchants were
the lowest
class.
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Trade/The Silk Road
The Silk Road was 
a 4000 mile long
network of routes 
stretched
westward from
China across Asia’s
deserts and
mountain ranges,
through the
middle East, until ti
reached the
Mediterranean
Sea.
Achievemennts
The Great Wall of
China
Silk
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Climate
• Northeast is cold and dry
• Eastern plains has heavy rains,
monsoons
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Geographical Features
• Qinling Mountains run from the
east to the west
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Physical Geography
Varied Landscape
• China covers an area of almost 4 million square miles.
• The Gobi desert lies in the north.
• Low-lying plains in the east make up one of the world’s
largest farming areas.
• Mountain ranges lie in the west, including the Plateau of
Tibet and the Qinling Shandi Mountains. There was
limited contact between people in the east and west.
• The weather and temperature vary from cold and dry to
wet and humid, and monsoons can bring up to 250 inches
of rain each year.
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Two Rivers of China
Huang He
• Also called the Yellow
River
• Nearly 3,000 miles long
across northern China
• Often floods, and has
been referred to as
“China’s sorrow”
because of the
destruction
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Chang Jiang
• The longest river in
Asia; also called the
Yangzi River
• Flows across central
China from Tibet to
the Pacific Ocean
Civilization Begins
Farming
• Frequent flooding made the land fertile around the
Chang Jiang and Huang He rivers.
• Along with farming, the Chinese people hunted, fished,
and domesticated animals.
Early Settlements
• Some small villages along the rivers grew into larger
cities.
• Separate cultures developed in the north and the
south. Over time people learned to dig wells and use
potter’s wheels.
• Findings at burial sites suggest that the ancient
Chinese believed in an afterlife and had a complex
social order.
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Xia dynasty
• The Xia dynasty might have been
founded around 2200 BC, by Yu the
Great.
• Tales say that Yu dug channels to
drain floodwaters and created the
major waterways of North China.
• Archaeologists have no firm evidence
that tales about the Xia dynasty are
true.
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Shang dynasty
• Established by 1500 BC, the Shang was the
first dynasty that there is clear evidence to
support.
• The Shang reorganized the social order in
China: the top ranking was the royals, then
nobles, warriors, artisans, farmers, and
slaves.
• Most citizens lived within the city walls.
• Many cultural advances were made,
including China’s first writing system,
complex tools, metal pots, and ornaments.
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Shang Social Order
•Nobles
•Artisans or craftsmen
•Farmers
•Slaves
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Geography






Travel and communication was limited due to the Gobi
Desert to the north, Pacific Ocean to the east, and the
Himalaya Mountains to the southwest
The river valleys were ideal for farming because the floods
of the Huang He River (Yellow) and Chang Jiang River
(Yangzi) left silt to fertilize the soil
Harsh Takimakan and Gobi Deserts to the northwest
Low lying North China Plains to the east
Plateau of Tibet to the southwest with peaks that reach
26,000 feet
The Qinling Shandi Mountain Range that separates
northern and southern China
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Civilization Begins




Chinese Civilization began as early as 7000 BC along the
Huang He River also known as the Yellow River which is
3000 miles long, it is also called China’s Sorrow because of
frequent floods killing people and destroying lands
Early Chinese farmed, fished hunted with bows and arrows,
domesticated sheep and pigs
Features of early China settlements are homes in villages
buried partly underground, straw covered roofs, animal
pens, storages pits, cemeteries, walls to protect
settlements from flooding and hostile neighbors, water
wells
After 3000 BC people used potter’s wheels , and dug wells
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Xia Dynasty
 2200 BC
 According to ancient stories Yu the Great
was the founder of the Xia Dynasty
 Ancient stories about Xia were important
because they explained geography that
influenced lives and told of kings who
helped people solve problems by working
together
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Shang Dynasty




1500 BC
First dynasty to have been proven by evidence
Strongest dynasty in the Huang He valley
Shang rulers moved their capital many times,
probably due to flooding and attacks
 The King was the center of Shang political and
religious life, priest used oracle bones to make
predictions
 Society: royal family, nobles at highest level, artisans
at middle level, farmers and slaves at lower level
 Achievements: writing system, use of bronze,
calendar, war chariots, and bows
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Chapter 6 Section 1: Geography and Early China pages 160-165
Geography






Civilization Begins
Travel and communication
was limited due to the Gobi
Desert to the north, Pacific
Ocean to the east, and the
Himalaya Mountains to the
southwest
The river valleys were ideal
for farming because the
floods of the Huang He
River (Yellow) and Chang
Jiang River (Yangzi) left
silt to fertilize the soil
Harsh Takimakan and Gobi
Deserts to the northwest
Low lying North China
Plains to the east
Plateau of Tibet to the
southwest with peaks that
reach 26,000 feet
The Qinling Shandi
Mountain Range that
separates northern and
southern China




Chinese Civilization began
as early as 7000 BC along
the Huang He River also
known as the Yellow River
which is 3000 miles long,
it is also called China’s
Sorrow because of
frequent floods killing
people and destroying
lands
Early Chinese farmed,
fished hunted with bows
and arrows, domesticated
sheep and pigs
Features of early China
settlements are homes in
villages buried partly
underground, straw
covered roofs, animal
pens, storages pits,
cemeteries, walls to
protect settlements from
flooding and hostile
neighbors, water wells
After 3000 BC people used
potter’s wheels , and dug
wells
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


Xia Dynasty
2200 BC
According to
ancient stories
Yu the Great
was the
founder of the
Xia Dynasty
Ancient stories
about Xia were
important
because they
explained
geography
that influenced
lives and told
of kings who
helped people
solve problems
by working
together
Shang Dynasty







1500 BC
First dynasty to have
been proven by
evidence
Strongest dynasty in
the Huang He valley
Shang rulers moved
their capital many
times, probably due
to flooding and
attacks
The King was the
center of Shang
political and religious
life, priest used
oracle bones to make
predictions
Society: royal family,
nobles at highest
level, artisans at
middle level, farmers
and slaves at lower
level
Achievements:
writing system, use
of bronze, calendar,
war chariots, and
bows
Section 2: The Zhou Dynasty and New Ideas
The Big Idea
Confucius and other philosophers taught
ways to deal with social and political
problems in ancient China.
Main Ideas
• The Zhou dynasty expanded China but then
declined.
• Confucius offered ideas to bring order to
Chinese society.
• Daoism and Legalism also gained followers.
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Politics
 Zhou kings claimed
to receive their
authority to rule
form the Mandate
from Heaven which
stated heaven gave
the power to the
kings or leader and
no one ruled without
heavens permission.
If the king was bad
heaven would
support another
leader.
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Society
Religion and Philosophy
Section Key 2: Terms and People
Lords – people of high rank
Peasants – farmers, people at
the bottom of the social order
Confucius – influential teacher,
philosopher, who believed
people were basically good
and with practice could
become perfect
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Section Key 2: Terms and People
Ethics – moral values
Confucianism – the ideas of
Confucius
Daoism – stressed living in
harmony with the Dao, the
guiding force of all reality
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Section Key 2: Terms and People
Laozi – was the most famous of
Daoist teachers. He taught that
people should not try to gain
wealth, nor should they seek
power.
Legalism – the belief that people
were bad by nature and needed
to be controlled
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The Zhou Political System
• The Zhou people worked with other tribes to
overthrow the Shang dynasty in the 1100s BC.
• Zhou leaders (Kings) believed that their rulers were
mandated by heaven, and that heaven would find
another leader when necessary.
• A new political order was established: the king
granted plots of land to lords, who in turn provided
soldiers and paid taxes to the king. Poor farmers
were granted land as well, and remained under the
rule of the lords.
• The lords helped Zhou rulers keep control of the
dynasty.
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Decline of the Zhou Dynasty
• As the lords’ power grew, they became uninterested
in serving Zhou rulers. Many refused to fight against
Zhou enemies.
• In 771 BC, the Zhou suffered a loss to invaders. The
dynasty survived, but morale weakened, and the
Zhou began to fight among themselves.
• The Warring States Period marked power struggles
between the ruling-class families.
• Problems within the government paralleled
problems within large family systems, which were
breaking down. Bonds of loyalty weakened within
even small families, and disorder fell upon China.
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Confucianism
Moral Values
The Analects
Leading by
Example
Disgusted with the rude and insensitive
nature of the people around him,
Confucius pushed for a return to ethics,
or moral values.
This code of ethics was passed down
and written in a book called Analects.
These stories focused on morality,
family, society, and government.
One of the major ideas Confucius put
forth for the success of both family and
government was leading by example.
Confucius believed that when people
behaved well and acted morally, they
were carrying out what heaven
expected of them.
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Main Ideas of Confucianism
• People should be respectful and
loyal to their family members
• Leaders should be kind and lead
by example
• Learning is a process that never
ends
• Heaven expects people to behave
well and act morally
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Two Schools of Thought
Daoism
Legalism
• Daoism comes from
Dao, meaning “the
way.”
• Legalism is the political
philosophy that people
need to be controlled.
• Daoists believed that
people should avoid
interfering with nature
or each other.
• It is unconcerned with
religion or individual
thought, and prepared
always for war.
• Laozi wrote The Way
and Its Power, a book
teaching that power and
wealth are unnecessary.
• Legalists put their ideas
into practice throughout
China.
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Politics
 1100 BC The Zhou Dynasty began and lasted longer
than any other dynasty in Chinese history
 Zhou kings claimed to receive their authority to rule
form the Mandate from Heaven which stated
heaven gave the power to the kings or leader and
no one ruled without heavens permission. If the
king was bad heaven would support another leader.
 Zhou came from an area to the west of the Shang
Kingdom.
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Politics
 Zhou new political order granted land to others in return for
loyalty, military support and other services.
 Lords paid taxes and provided soldiers to the king
 Peasants, or farmers were at the bottom of the social order
 Book of Songs – each peasant family received a small plot of
land and had to farm additional land for the noble
 Around 481 BC China’s lords began to fight each other, this
was called the Warring States Period
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Society
 When the Zhou dynasty crumbled, political
and social chaos erupted and the new
teachings of Confucianism, Daoism, and
Legalism emerged
 Chinese family structure: large families of
several generations formed powerful groups.
When families broke apart they lost their
power. Close relatives became rivals.
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Society
 Confucius felt that China should
needed to return to ethics or
moral values
 Confucianism focuses on
morality, family, society, and
government
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Religion and Philosophy
 Main Ideas of Confucianism: Page 170
1.People should be respectful and loyal to their
families
2.Leaders should be kind and lead by example
3.Learning is a process that never ends
4.Heaven expects people to behave well and
act morally
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Religion and Philosophy
 Daoism - stressed living in harmony with the
Dao, the guiding force of all reality
1.Dao gave birth to the universe and all things
in it
2.Government should stay out of people’s lives
3.The universe is a balance of opposites
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Religion and Philosophy
 Laozi was most famous Daoist teacher, wrote The Way and
its Power
 Legalism – the belief that people were bad by nature and
needed to be controlled
1. Han Fei Zi felt that society needed strict laws to keep people
in line and punishments should fit the crimes
2. Unity and efficiency were also important to Legalism
3. Legalist were the first to put their ideas into practice
throughout China
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Society
Politics








1100 BC The Zhou Dynasty began and
lasted longer than any other dynasty in
Chinese history
Zhou kings claimed to receive their
authority to rule form the Mandate
from Heaven which stated heaven gave
the power to the kings or leader and
no one ruled without heavens
permission. If the king was bad heaven
would support another leader.
Zhou came from an area to the west of
the Shang Kingdom.
Zhou new political order granted land
to others in return for loyalty, military
support and other services.
Lords paid taxes and provided soldiers
to the king
Peasants, or farmers were at the
bottom of the social order
Book of Songs – each peasant family
received a small plot of land and had to
farm additional land for the noble
Around 481 BC China’s lords began to
fight each other, this was called the
Warring States Period




Holt McDougal,
When the Zhou dynasty
crumbled, political and social
chaos erupted and the new
teachings of Confucianism,
Daoism, and Legalism
emerged
Chinese family structure:
large families of several
generations formed powerful
groups. When families broke
apart they lost their power.
Close relatives became rivals.
Confucius felt that China
should needed to return to
ethics or moral values
Confucianism focuses on
morality, family, society, and
government
Religion and Philosophy

1.
2.
3.
4.

1.
2.
3.


1.
2.
3.
Main Ideas of Confucianism: Page 170
People should be respectful and loyal to
their families
Leaders should be kind and lead by example
Learning is a process that never ends
Heaven expects people to behave well and
act morally
Daoism - stressed living in harmony with the
Dao, the guiding force of all reality
Dao gave birth to the universe and all things
in it
Government should stay out of people’s lives
The universe is a balance of opposites
Laozi was most famous Daoist teacher,
wrote The Way and its Power
Legalism – the belief that people were bad
by nature and needed to be controlled
Han Fei Zi felt that society needed strict laws
to keep people in line and punishments
should fit the crimes
Unity and efficiency were also important to
Legalism
Legalist were the first to put their ideas into
practice throughout China
Section 3 The Qin Dynasty
The Big Idea
The Qin dynasty unified China with a strong
government and a system of
standardization.
Main Ideas
• The first Qin emperor created a strong but
strict government.
• A unified China was created through Qin
policies and achievements.
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Achievement or Policy
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Effect
Section 3: Key Terms and People
• Shi Huangdi – 221 BC, the Qin king
Ying Zheng succeeded in unifying
China; Shi Huangdi or first emperor,
followed Legalist political beliefs
• Great Wall – a barrier that linked
earlier walls across China’s northern
frontier
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Shi Huangdi
• The Legalist Qin king Yin Zheng took the throne in
221 BC and gave himself the title Shi Huangdi,
which means “first emperor.”
• He burned all books and writings that dealt with any
practice other than Legalism.
• He created a strict government with harsh
punishments.
• He used his armies to expand the empire and
ensured that there would be no more revolts in the
new territory.
• He claimed all power and took land away from the
lords. Commoners were forced to work on
government building projects.
• China was divided into districts with their own
governors.
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Unified China
Politics
• Shi Huangdi
took complete
control of the
land and the
people.
• There was a
strict chain of
command.
• Taxes and
building
projects were
introduced.
Culture
Finance
• Shi Huangdi
set up a
uniform system
of law.
• Gold and
copper coins
were
standardized.
• Rules and
punishment,
writing styles,
and money
were
consistent
across China.
• Uniform
weights and
measures help
standardize
trade and other
legal issues.
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Unified China’s Policies: A Uniform System of Law
A citizen had to :
• Standardized gold and copper
coins became the currency
• Weights and measures were also
standardized
• Make the axle of width of carts
the same length
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Qin Achievements
Building Projects
• Massive government building projects gave jobs to
many poor workers.
• New roads were built and maintained to provide easy
access to and from these buildings.
Water Systems
• Canals were built to connect rivers and keep trade fast
and efficient.
• Irrigation systems that are still in use today watered
the fields and made more land good for farming.
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The Great Wall Of China
• The Great Wall was built to protect
the country from invasion
• The Great Wall linked previously built
walls across China’s northern
frontier.
• The building of the wall required
years of labor from hundreds of
thousands of laborers.
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The Fall of the Qin:
The Oppressed Rise Up
• Many scholars, peasants, and nobles grew
resentful of Shi Huangdi’s harsh policies
and complete control.
• Upon the death of Shi Huangdi, the country
began to unravel.
• Rebel groups fought among themselves,
and eventually the Qin capital was burned
to the ground.
• With no authority present, the country fell
into civil war.
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Achievement or Policy
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Standardized the written language
Set up uniform system of law
Set up a new money system
Set up weights and measure system
Set up a network of roads
Improved China’s water and irrigation
system
7. Built the Great Wall of China
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Effect
1.People everywhere were required to write
using the same symbols and people in
different regions could communicate
2.All citizens had the same punishments
3.People could sell goods easier
4.People could use the same measuring
system
5.Improved transportation
6.Expanded farmland
7.Protected the people from invasions
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Achievement or Policy

Standardized the written language
Effect


Set up uniform system of law

People everywhere were required to write
using the same symbols
People in different regions could
communicate
All citizens had the same punishments

Set up a new money system

People could sell goods easier

Set up a weights and measure system

People could use the same measuring system

Set up a network of roads and canals

Improved transportation

Improved China’s water and irrigation system 

Built the Great Wall of China

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
Expanded farmland
Protected the people from invasions
Section 4: The Han Dynasty
The Big Idea
The Han dynasty created a new form of government
that valued family, art, and learning.
Main Ideas
• Han dynasty government was based on the ideas of
Confucius.
• Family life was supported and strengthened in Han
China.
• The Han made many achievements in art, literature,
and learning.
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Government
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Family Life
Achievements
Section 4: Key Terms and People
• Sundial – uses positions of the
shadows cast by the sun to tell the
time of day
• Seismograph – a device that
measures the strength of an
earthquake
• Acupuncture – the practice of
inserting fine needles through the
skin at specific points to cure disease
or relieve pain
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The Rise of a New Dynasty
• Liu Bang, a peasant fighting in a rebel army, became
emperor due to the Chinese belief in the mandate of
heaven.
• He was the first emperor of the Han dynasty.
• Well liked by both warriors and peasants, Liu Bang
released the country from strict Legalistic practices
and focused on people’s immediate needs.
• Liu Bang lowered taxes, gave large plots of land to
supporters, and set up a government that expanded
on the ideas of the Qin.
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Wudi’s New Government
• In 140 BC, Emperor Wudi took the throne
and shifted the country’s focus back to a
strong central government.
• Confucianism became the official
government philosophy.
• Wudi built a university that taught
Confucian ideals, and awarded his officials
with higher rank if they were familiar with
Confucian principles.
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Wudi’s New Government
• Wudi wanted a strong
central government with a
policy of Confucianism where
people got jobs based on
ability.
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Wudi’s New Government
• To create a strong central
government, Wudi took
lands from the lords and
raised taxes. The lords were
likely angry, because their
land was taken away.
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Four Social Classes
under the Confucian System
• Upper Class: The Emperor, his court, and
his scholars
• Second Class: The peasants, who made life
work on a daily basis
• Third Class: The artisans, who produced
items for daily life and some luxury goods
• Fourth Class: The merchants, who bought
and sold what others made
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Family Life
Social Classes
and Wealth
• Social rank did
not reflect
prosperity.
• Hard work and
heavy labor did
not reflect
prosperity.
• A strong family
was stressed
so that people
would obey the
emperor.
Men
Women
• Men were the
head of the
household.
• Women were
taught to obey
their husbands.
• Rulers had to
obey their
elders too; it
was a crime to
disobey.
• Girls were not
valued as
highly as boys.
• Some men
gained jobs
based on the
respect they
showed to
elders.
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• Women could
influence their
sons’ families.
Han Achievements
Art
The Han created realistic scenes from
everyday life, advanced figure painting, and
depictions of religious figures and Confucian
scholars.
Literature
Fu style: combination of prose and poetry
Shi style: short lines of verse that could be
sung
Invention of
Paper
The Han Chinese made paper by grinding
plant fibers into a paste and then setting the
paste out to dry in sheets. Later they rolled
the dried pulp into scrolls.
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Han Achievements
Sundial
A device for telling time, the sundial uses
the position of the shadows cast by the sun
to tell the time of day.
Seismograph
This device measures the strength of an
earthquake. Chinese scientists believed that
the movement of the earth was a sign of evil
times.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the practice of inserting
needles into the skin to cure disease or
relieve pain. This practice is still widely used
today.
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Government
 In 207 BC, the Qin dynasty collapsed and Liu Bang, a peasant, became
the first emperor of the Han dynasty
 The Han Dynasty lasted for 400 years
 The Han Dynasty was based on ideas of Confucius
 Liu Bang freed people from harsh government policies, lowered taxes,
make punishments less severe, gave blocks of land to his supporters,
and used educated officials to help him rule
 In 140 BC, emperor Wudi took the thrown. He took lands from lords,
raised taxes, placed supply of grain under government control. Made
people take exams and get recommendations for government service
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Family Life
 Social classes were based on the Confucian system where
people were divided into four classes (Wealth and Power):
1. Upper Class – Emperor, his court, scholars who held
government positions
2. Second Class – peasants
3. Third Class – artisans who produced items for daily life
4. Lower Class – merchants who bought and sold goods
5. The military was not a class but considered part of the
government
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Family Life
 90% of the people were peasants who lived in the
countryside
 Children were taught from birth to respect their elders
 Disobeying parents was a crime
 The father was the head of the family and had absolute
power
 Wives and children had to obey their fathers and husbands
 Sons were thought highly of because they carried on the
family line and took care of parents as they got older
 Daughters went to live with their husbands’ families
Holt McDougal,
Achievements
 Art
1.Figure painting – style of painting that
includes portraits of people
2.Realistic Scenes
3.Bronze statues
Holt McDougal,
Achievements
 Poetry
1.Fu style – combined poetry and prose
2.Shi style – featured short lines of verse and
song
3.Sima Qian wrote a complete history of all the
dynasties
Holt McDougal,
Inventions/Innovations/Advances
1.Sundial – uses the position of shadows cast
by the sun to tell the time of day
2.Seismograph – a device that measures the
strength of an earth quake
3.Paper – made from mulberry bark and hemp
4.Acupuncture – the practice of inserting fine
needles through the skin at specific points to
cure disease or relieve pain
Holt McDougal,
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Government
In 207 BC, the Qin dynasty collapsed
and Liu Bang, a peasant, became the
first emperor of the Han dynasty
The Han Dynasty lasted for 400 years
The Han Dynasty was based on ideas of
Confucius
Liu Bang freed people from harsh
government policies, lowered taxes,
make punishments less severe, gave
blocks of land to his supporters, and
used educated officials to help him rule
In 140 BC, emperor Wudi took the
thrown. He took lands from lords,
raised taxes, placed supply of grain
under government control. Made
people take exams and get
recommendations for government
service
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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Family Life
Social classes were based on the
Confucian system where people were
divided into four classes (Wealth and
Power):
Upper Class – Emperor, his court,
scholars who held government
positions
Second Class – peasants
Third Class – artisans who produced
items for daily life
Lower Class – merchants who bought
and sold goods
The military was not a class but
considered part of the government
90% of the people were peasants who
lived in the countryside
Children were taught from birth to
respect their elders
Disobeying parents was a crime
The father was the head of the family
and had absolute power
Wives and children had to obey their
fathers and husbands
Sons were thought highly of because
they carried on the family line and
took care of parents as they got older
Daughters went to live with their
husbands’ families
Holt McDougal,
Achievements
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1.
2.
3.
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1.
2.
3.
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1.
2.
3.
4.
Art
Figure painting – style of painting that
includes portraits of people
Realistic Scenes
Bronze statues
Poetry
Fu style – combined poetry and prose
Shi style – featured short lines of verse and
song
Sima Qian wrote a complete history of all the
dynasties
Inventions/Innovations/Advances
Sundial – uses the position of shadows cast
by the sun to tell the time of day
Seismograph – a device that measures the
strength of an earth quake
Paper – made from mulberry bark and hemp
Acupuncture – the practice of inserting fine
needles through the skin at specific points to
cure disease or relieve pain
Section 5: Han Contacts with
Other Cultures
The Big Idea
Trade routes led to the exchange of new products and ideas
among China, Rome, and other peoples.
Main Ideas
• Farming and manufacturing grew during the Han dynasty.
• Trade routes linked China with the Middle East and Rome.
• Buddhism came to China from India and gained many
followers.
Holt McDougal,
Products
 Silk
 jade
Trade Routes/Silk
Road
Buddhism
 The Silk Road began  Buddhism introduction
and ended in the
to China is an example
Han Dynasty and
of diffusion, the spread
the Roman Empire
of ideas from one
culture to another
Holt McDougal,
Section 5: Key Terms and People
• Silk – a soft light highly
valued fabric
• Diffusion – the spread of
ideas from one culture to
another (cultural
diffusion)
Holt McDougal,
Section 5: Key Terms and People
• Silk Road – a 4,000 mile long
network of routes stretched
westward from China across
Asia’s deserts and mountain
ranges, through the Middle
East, until it reached the
Mediterranean Sea.
Holt McDougal,
Technological Advances
during the Han Dynasty
Farming
• Iron plow could
till more land and
raise more food
• Wheelbarrow able
to haul more
products
Holt McDougal,
Manufacturing
• Iron swords
• Iron armor
• Silk: a soft, light,
highly valued
fabric
Trade Routes
• Chinese goods became highly valued
in other lands, so trade routes began
opening up.
• Trading Chinese silk for strong
Central Asian horses became a
primary goal under the rule of
Emperor Wudi.
• Central Asians could then take the
silk and trade it for products in other
lands.
Holt McDougal,
The Silk Road
The Silk Road was a network of routes stretching more
than 4,000 miles beginning in China acrossing Asia’s
deserts and mountain ranges, through the Middle East
and stopping at the Mediterranean Sea.
Chinese traders only used the road until they reached
Central Asia, and then gave their goods to local traders.
Travelers banded together for protection along the many
miles of difficult terrain.
China grew rich from trading silk with other lands.
Holt McDougal,
Buddhism Comes to China
Contact with New Cultures
• When the Han dynasty began to fail, people looked to
old religions to find answers, but were disappointed.
• After coming into contact with Indian Buddhists on
trade routes, many Chinese brought the teachings
home to China.
Impacts on China
• In hopes of relieving the suffering of human life, both
rich and poor people began to embrace the teachings of
the Buddha.
• The popularity of Buddhism in China is an example of
diffusion: the spread of ideas from one culture to
another.
Holt McDougal,
Buddha
•Siddhartha Gautama
was about 35 years old
when he found
enlightenment under a
tree. Buddha means
Enlightened One.
Holt McDougal,
Holt McDougal,
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Products
Silk - Chinese kept the
secrete for making silk a
secret for over 300 years
Iron plow – could till more
land and grow more crops
Wheelbarrow – allowed
people to carry as much as
300 lbs at a time
Looms – enabled people to
make silk clothes
Gunpowder
Orange trees
Iron
Bronze
Ceramics
Jade
Trade Routes/Silk Road
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The Silk Road began and ended in
the Han Dynasty and the Roman
Empire
The Silk Road was a 4000 mile long
network of routes stretched
westward from China across Asia’s
deserts and mountain ranges
through the Middle East, until it
reached the Mediterranean Sea
Trade routes exchanged silk, gold,
horses, livestock, jade, wool,
spices, amber and religious beliefs
Weather dangers were sandstorms,
blizzards, and desert heat
Other dangers were bandits
Spices from China: ginger, nutmeg
cinnamon
Rome Empire sent: wool, amber,
gold
Holt McDougal,
Buddhism
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Buddhism introduction to China is an
example of diffusion, the spread of ideas
from one culture to another
The first century AD Buddhism came from
India to China
By AD 200, Buddhist alters stood in the
Emperor’s Palace
Buddhism seemed to provide more hope
than traditional Chinese beliefs
As the Chinese government became less
stable hunger and violence became
widespread, the Chinese embraced
Buddhism because it offered a relief from
suffering
Buddhism offered rebirth and the relief
of suffering
Buddhism spread to China along the Silk
Road and other trade routes
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