Social
In first class were the kings and nobles; they were at the highest level. The kings lead the government and gave land to different lords.
Then came the lords and warriors, they were in the second class. The lords responsibilities were to pay the taxes to the king and provided warriors to protect the land. Lastly were the peasants, they were in the lowest class. Peasants farmed the nobles land and worked for the nobles and kings. As you see some people are higher than others, they were more powerful because they were wealthy and known. They also had a lot more resources than others. |
Political
China was eventually united under one of the regional kings, the first emperor Qin Shi Huang, in 221 BC. During the Qin Dynasty he founded only lasted for 12 years but the emperor wielded absolute power over all of China. The emperor was despotic, ordering the burning of books to remove all evidence of any earlier dynasties and burying many scholars alive by ceiling them in a room. His tight control of China allowed him to conscript massive labor forces, allowing him to construct ambitious projects like the Great Wall of China. The workers died by the thousands in harsh conditions, but the nomadic tribes they protected the population from where skilled horse archers and ruthless invaders. These nomads also killed thousands of Chinese soldiers in massive bloody battles, the Qin generals using massed levies like pawns.
The Qin Dynasty had gained control over the mass of peasants by abolishing the landowning lords who they had formerly served. The abolishing also agricultural output and allowed for larger military forces. The Qin also standardized weights and measures, and even standardized axel lengths for carts to ensure their roads were the right width. This increased all had the effect of increasing trade.
The Han Dynasty that followed the Qin ruled over a golden age in Chinese history. There aggressive policy towards the “barbarian” nomads greatly expanded their frontiers in all directions. They had used the nomads mounted strategies against them, pushing into central Asia and making contact with the Persians. This connected the Roman, Persian and Chinese trade routes, creating the great Silk Road. China’s traders and government prospered from the government held monopoly on silk. Secrets of silk making were protected by law and breaching a law would mean canning or death.
The following dynasties created a feudal system but continued to be autocratic monarchies. Civil wars also fractured China into different kingdoms periodically throughout the 2200 years of dynastic rule. Eventually, the nomadic tribes got the upper hand in the endless struggle between them and China and they created Dynasties of their own. These new “barbarian” rulers, like the Wu Hu, Mongols and Manchu, began to take up Chinese customs like wearing silk robes instead of their horseman’s pants. They modeled their rule after the Chinese and were soon swallowed into Chinese culture becoming just another Chinese dynastic government. Eventually, chinese military fell behind in the development of firearms and ruling dynasties lost much of its influence and control. In 1911 the last dynasty was overthrown.
The Qin Dynasty had gained control over the mass of peasants by abolishing the landowning lords who they had formerly served. The abolishing also agricultural output and allowed for larger military forces. The Qin also standardized weights and measures, and even standardized axel lengths for carts to ensure their roads were the right width. This increased all had the effect of increasing trade.
The Han Dynasty that followed the Qin ruled over a golden age in Chinese history. There aggressive policy towards the “barbarian” nomads greatly expanded their frontiers in all directions. They had used the nomads mounted strategies against them, pushing into central Asia and making contact with the Persians. This connected the Roman, Persian and Chinese trade routes, creating the great Silk Road. China’s traders and government prospered from the government held monopoly on silk. Secrets of silk making were protected by law and breaching a law would mean canning or death.
The following dynasties created a feudal system but continued to be autocratic monarchies. Civil wars also fractured China into different kingdoms periodically throughout the 2200 years of dynastic rule. Eventually, the nomadic tribes got the upper hand in the endless struggle between them and China and they created Dynasties of their own. These new “barbarian” rulers, like the Wu Hu, Mongols and Manchu, began to take up Chinese customs like wearing silk robes instead of their horseman’s pants. They modeled their rule after the Chinese and were soon swallowed into Chinese culture becoming just another Chinese dynastic government. Eventually, chinese military fell behind in the development of firearms and ruling dynasties lost much of its influence and control. In 1911 the last dynasty was overthrown.
Religious
Three major religions shaped many of the ideas and history of Ancient China. They are called the three ways and include Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism.
Taoism was founded during the Zhou Dynasty in the 6th century. Taoism believes that people should be one with nature and that all living things have a universal force flowing through them. Taoists didn't believe in a lot of rules or government.
Confucius was born in 551 BC. Confucius was a philosopher and thinker. Confucius came up with ways that people should behave and live. He didn't write these down, but his followers did.
Confucius' teachings focus on treating others with respect, politeness, and fairness. He thought that honor and morality were important qualities. He also said that family was important and honoring one's relatives was required. Unlike Taoists, followers of Confucius believed in a strong organized government.
Buddhism was based on the teachings of Buddha. Buddha was born in Nepal, just south of China, in 563 BC. Buddhism spread throughout much of India and China. Buddhists believe in a "rebirth" of the self. They also believe that the cycle of rebirth is complete once a person lives a proper life. At this point the person's soul would enter nirvana.
Buddhists also believe in a concept called Karma. Karma says that all actions have consequences. So actions you take today will come back in the future to help you (or hurt you) depending on whether your actions were good or bad.
Taoism was founded during the Zhou Dynasty in the 6th century. Taoism believes that people should be one with nature and that all living things have a universal force flowing through them. Taoists didn't believe in a lot of rules or government.
Confucius was born in 551 BC. Confucius was a philosopher and thinker. Confucius came up with ways that people should behave and live. He didn't write these down, but his followers did.
Confucius' teachings focus on treating others with respect, politeness, and fairness. He thought that honor and morality were important qualities. He also said that family was important and honoring one's relatives was required. Unlike Taoists, followers of Confucius believed in a strong organized government.
Buddhism was based on the teachings of Buddha. Buddha was born in Nepal, just south of China, in 563 BC. Buddhism spread throughout much of India and China. Buddhists believe in a "rebirth" of the self. They also believe that the cycle of rebirth is complete once a person lives a proper life. At this point the person's soul would enter nirvana.
Buddhists also believe in a concept called Karma. Karma says that all actions have consequences. So actions you take today will come back in the future to help you (or hurt you) depending on whether your actions were good or bad.
Innovations
Gunpowder, paper, printing, and the compass are sometimes called the Four Great Inventions of Ancient China.
Silk was a soft and light material much desired by the wealthy throughout the world. It became such a valuable export that the trade route running from Europe to China became known as the Silk Road. The Chinese learned how to make silk from the cocoons of silkworms. They managed to keep the process for making silk a secret for hundreds of years.
Paper was invented by the Chinese as well as many interesting uses for paper like paper money and playing cards. The first paper was invented in the 2nd century BC and the manufacture later perfected around 105 AD.
The Chinese invented the magnetic compass to help determine the correct direction. They used this in city planning at first, but it became very important to map makers and for the navigation of ships.
Gunpowder was invented in the 9th century by chemists trying to find the Elixir of Immortality. Not long after, engineers figured out how to use gunpowder for military uses such as bombs, guns, mines, and even rockets. They also invented fireworks and made great beautiful displays of fireworks for celebrations.
Silk was a soft and light material much desired by the wealthy throughout the world. It became such a valuable export that the trade route running from Europe to China became known as the Silk Road. The Chinese learned how to make silk from the cocoons of silkworms. They managed to keep the process for making silk a secret for hundreds of years.
Paper was invented by the Chinese as well as many interesting uses for paper like paper money and playing cards. The first paper was invented in the 2nd century BC and the manufacture later perfected around 105 AD.
The Chinese invented the magnetic compass to help determine the correct direction. They used this in city planning at first, but it became very important to map makers and for the navigation of ships.
Gunpowder was invented in the 9th century by chemists trying to find the Elixir of Immortality. Not long after, engineers figured out how to use gunpowder for military uses such as bombs, guns, mines, and even rockets. They also invented fireworks and made great beautiful displays of fireworks for celebrations.
Technology
Casting of bronze objects developed very early in the Shang Civilization of the Yellow River Valley of about 1800 BCE. Religious objects, as well as tools and weapons, of great artistic merit were cast. Later when the superiority of iron over bronze was recognized superior blast furnaces were developed. These furnaces achieved high enough temperatures that the iron flowed like water and could then be cast. In the West there were blast furnaces that smelt iron from its ores but the temperature was only high enough to produce a mass of iron and slag melted together. This mass had to be hammered to consolidate the iron and drive out the rock-like slag. It was known as wrought iron. In China cast iron was produced. Cast iron has one disadvantage; it has such high carbon content that it is relatively brittle. The Chinese learned to reduce the carbon content to a level such that the metal was strong and resilient instead of being brittle. This is called steel.
The compass was invented n ancient China. People learned to use naturally occurring magnets, called lodestones, to magnetize an iron pointer. The first pointers had a shape somelike a balanced spoon. The handle of the spoon pointed to the south rather than to the north. The early compasses that were borrowed in the West also pointed to the south and only later were modified to point to the north. The Chinese compasses were used in the geomancy called Feng Shui as well as in navigation.
Accurate mechanical clocks were developed in ancient China because of a belief in a form of astrology that was based upon the moment of conception rather than the time of birth. Retainers listened outside the royal bedrooms to record the possible times of conception of royal children. This was considered important enough that considerable effort was devoted to developing accurate timing mechanisms. These clock mechanisms were borrowed in the West and perfected for other purposes. When Jesuits presented such mechanical clocks to the Chinese emperor many centuries later the technology had be forgotten in China and no one knew that the mechanical clock had been invented in China.
The compass was invented n ancient China. People learned to use naturally occurring magnets, called lodestones, to magnetize an iron pointer. The first pointers had a shape somelike a balanced spoon. The handle of the spoon pointed to the south rather than to the north. The early compasses that were borrowed in the West also pointed to the south and only later were modified to point to the north. The Chinese compasses were used in the geomancy called Feng Shui as well as in navigation.
Accurate mechanical clocks were developed in ancient China because of a belief in a form of astrology that was based upon the moment of conception rather than the time of birth. Retainers listened outside the royal bedrooms to record the possible times of conception of royal children. This was considered important enough that considerable effort was devoted to developing accurate timing mechanisms. These clock mechanisms were borrowed in the West and perfected for other purposes. When Jesuits presented such mechanical clocks to the Chinese emperor many centuries later the technology had be forgotten in China and no one knew that the mechanical clock had been invented in China.
Environment
Perhaps the two most important geographical features of Ancient China were the two major rivers that flowed through central China: the Yellow River to the north and the Yangtze River to the south. These major rivers were a great source of fresh water, food, fertile soil, and transportation. They also were the subjects of Chinese poetry, art, literature, and folklore. The Yellow River is often called the "cradle of Chinese civilization". The Yangtze River is south of the Yellow River and flows in the same direction (west to east).
To the south and southeast of China are the Himalaya Mountains. These are the highest mountains in the world. They provided a nearly impassable border for Ancient China, keeping the area isolated from many other civilizations. They were also important to Chinese religion and were considered sacred.
To the north and west of Ancient China were two of the world's largest deserts: the Gobi Desert and the Taklamakan Desert. These deserts also provided borders that kept the Chinese isolated from the rest of the world. The Mongols, however, lived in the Gobi Desert and were constantly raiding cities of northern China. This is why the Great Wall of China was built to protect the Chinese from these northern invaders.
To the south and southeast of China are the Himalaya Mountains. These are the highest mountains in the world. They provided a nearly impassable border for Ancient China, keeping the area isolated from many other civilizations. They were also important to Chinese religion and were considered sacred.
To the north and west of Ancient China were two of the world's largest deserts: the Gobi Desert and the Taklamakan Desert. These deserts also provided borders that kept the Chinese isolated from the rest of the world. The Mongols, however, lived in the Gobi Desert and were constantly raiding cities of northern China. This is why the Great Wall of China was built to protect the Chinese from these northern invaders.
Sources
http://www.ancientmilitary.com/ancient-china-government.htm
http://poster.4teachers.org/view/poster.php?poster_id=323493
http://www.ducksters.com/history/china/religion.php
http://www.ducksters.com/history/china/inventions_technology.php
http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/ancientchina.htm
http://www.ducksters.com/history/china/geography_of_ancient_china.php
http://poster.4teachers.org/view/poster.php?poster_id=323493
http://www.ducksters.com/history/china/religion.php
http://www.ducksters.com/history/china/inventions_technology.php
http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/ancientchina.htm
http://www.ducksters.com/history/china/geography_of_ancient_china.php
Links to Photos
http://www.chs.d211.org/socialstudies/hildabrandbx/World%20History/River%20Valleys/RiverValleys.htm
https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/cmhialu/han-dynasty-45166436
http://mmsamee.weebly.com/ancient-chinas-government.html
http://www.ducksters.com/history/china/inventions_technology.php
https://explorechina8.wordpress.com/ancient-chinese-innovations/
http://www.chinaculture.org/chineseway/2013-03/22/content_454483.htm
https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/cmhialu/han-dynasty-45166436
http://mmsamee.weebly.com/ancient-chinas-government.html
http://www.ducksters.com/history/china/inventions_technology.php
https://explorechina8.wordpress.com/ancient-chinese-innovations/
http://www.chinaculture.org/chineseway/2013-03/22/content_454483.htm