Welcome to Ancient China!
History
• In 7000 BC farming begins on the Yangzi River
• Advancement in culture and architecture begins in 3000 BC
• The Shang Dynasty exists from 1500 BC to 1100 BC
• From 1100 BC to 771 BC, the Zhou Dynasty takes over China
• The Warring States Period engulfs China in bloodshed from 771 BC to 221 BC
• The Qin Dynasty unifies China from 221 BC to 210 BC
• The Han Dynasty controlled China from 206 BC to 220 AD
• 220 AD to 589 AD marked The Period of Disunion signified by widespread war and the spreading of Chinese culture
• The Grand Canal was constructed under the short rule of the Sui Dynasty which ran from 589 AD-618 AD
• China spread into eastern and central Asia under the 300 year rule of the Tang Dynasty (from 618-907 AD)
• Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms ushered in a short period of chaos and unrest as many kingdoms battle for rule from 907 AD - 960 AD
• China was reunited under the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) and experiences many scientific advancements as well as improved economic conditions
• The Mongols invaded and forcefully took control from 1211 AD - 1368 AD and added to the Grand Canal, and built a new capital, called Dadu, which is near modern day Beijing
• The Yuan Dynasty defeated the Mongols in 1279 AD during a rebellion which lasted until 1368 AD
• The Ming Dynasty gained power and built up an immense navy, constructed the Forbidden City, and restored and completed the Great Wall of China (from 1368-1644 AD)
• In 7000 BC farming begins on the Yangzi River
• Advancement in culture and architecture begins in 3000 BC
• The Shang Dynasty exists from 1500 BC to 1100 BC
• From 1100 BC to 771 BC, the Zhou Dynasty takes over China
• The Warring States Period engulfs China in bloodshed from 771 BC to 221 BC
• The Qin Dynasty unifies China from 221 BC to 210 BC
• The Han Dynasty controlled China from 206 BC to 220 AD
• 220 AD to 589 AD marked The Period of Disunion signified by widespread war and the spreading of Chinese culture
• The Grand Canal was constructed under the short rule of the Sui Dynasty which ran from 589 AD-618 AD
• China spread into eastern and central Asia under the 300 year rule of the Tang Dynasty (from 618-907 AD)
• Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms ushered in a short period of chaos and unrest as many kingdoms battle for rule from 907 AD - 960 AD
• China was reunited under the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) and experiences many scientific advancements as well as improved economic conditions
• The Mongols invaded and forcefully took control from 1211 AD - 1368 AD and added to the Grand Canal, and built a new capital, called Dadu, which is near modern day Beijing
• The Yuan Dynasty defeated the Mongols in 1279 AD during a rebellion which lasted until 1368 AD
• The Ming Dynasty gained power and built up an immense navy, constructed the Forbidden City, and restored and completed the Great Wall of China (from 1368-1644 AD)
Geography
• Ancient China was bordered by the Yangzi River to the south and the Yellow River to the north
• The East China Sea and Gobi Dessert, along with the Himalayan Mountains also provided protection against invasion for many years
• Mountains made trade difficult
• Fertile soil around the rivers aided in the growing of rice
• Ancient China was bordered by the Yangzi River to the south and the Yellow River to the north
• The East China Sea and Gobi Dessert, along with the Himalayan Mountains also provided protection against invasion for many years
• Mountains made trade difficult
• Fertile soil around the rivers aided in the growing of rice
Economy
• Trade grew across China and into Europe and became known as The Silk Road
• Ancient China exported tea, rice, spices, and jade, but silk remained their main export
• Food, plants, wool, glass, precious metals (gold and silver), and amber made up Ancient China's imported items
• Ancient Chinese led the world by introducing shells as currency
• When shells became difficult to find, other materials like pottery, jade, bone and bronze were made into shell-shaped money
• Shell-shaped coins soon transitioned into bronze coins and then into paper money, introduced by the Song Dynasty, which became the preferred method payment
• Trade grew across China and into Europe and became known as The Silk Road
• Ancient China exported tea, rice, spices, and jade, but silk remained their main export
• Food, plants, wool, glass, precious metals (gold and silver), and amber made up Ancient China's imported items
• Ancient Chinese led the world by introducing shells as currency
• When shells became difficult to find, other materials like pottery, jade, bone and bronze were made into shell-shaped money
• Shell-shaped coins soon transitioned into bronze coins and then into paper money, introduced by the Song Dynasty, which became the preferred method payment
Social Structure
• Society interacted based upon a system called Confucianism seperated people into for four main classes; upper class, second class, third class and lower class
• Confucianism was based up the teachings of Confucius, who lived more than 1,000 years before the Song Dynasty
• Confucianism drove political decisions as well as social interactions
• The military was not considered a class because one was able to elevate their social status through military success
• Society interacted based upon a system called Confucianism seperated people into for four main classes; upper class, second class, third class and lower class
• Confucianism was based up the teachings of Confucius, who lived more than 1,000 years before the Song Dynasty
• Confucianism drove political decisions as well as social interactions
• The military was not considered a class because one was able to elevate their social status through military success
Government
• Ancient China operated under a bureaucratic system of unelected government officials
• Favorable results on civil services exams would open the door for new bureaucrats; scholar officials (educated members of the government)
• Scholar Officials became wealthy and provided stability and were widely admired for their high ethics and knowledge
• The military was considered a branch of the government
• Political decisions at all levels were driven by Confucianism which emphasized ethics and proper behavior
• Ancient China operated under a bureaucratic system of unelected government officials
• Favorable results on civil services exams would open the door for new bureaucrats; scholar officials (educated members of the government)
• Scholar Officials became wealthy and provided stability and were widely admired for their high ethics and knowledge
• The military was considered a branch of the government
• Political decisions at all levels were driven by Confucianism which emphasized ethics and proper behavior
Beliefs/Religion
• Religion was heavily based on the teachings of Confucius
• Two principles guided the conduct of society; ren (the concern for others) and li (appropriate behavior)
• Ancient Chinese believed society would function best if everyone followed both principles
• Following both principles involved knowing your place and behaving appropriately for that place
• Buddhism overshadowed Confucianism as people sought peace and comfort during times of unrest
• Buddhism focused on an overall spiritual outlook and promised peace over suffering
• Confucianism regained interest but with the an added spiritual focus creating Neo (or new) Confucianism
• Religion was heavily based on the teachings of Confucius
• Two principles guided the conduct of society; ren (the concern for others) and li (appropriate behavior)
• Ancient Chinese believed society would function best if everyone followed both principles
• Following both principles involved knowing your place and behaving appropriately for that place
• Buddhism overshadowed Confucianism as people sought peace and comfort during times of unrest
• Buddhism focused on an overall spiritual outlook and promised peace over suffering
• Confucianism regained interest but with the an added spiritual focus creating Neo (or new) Confucianism
Advancements/Achievements
• Ancient China is credited with inventing a tool that used earth's magnetic field to show direction; today's compass
• They used carved wood blocks to create a method for printing which then led to movable stamp-like blocks used to create lines of type
• They created a mix of powders and explosives to make what we call gunpowder
• Ancient Chinese perfected a thin and fragile form of pottery, called porcelain, became a valued item of trade
• Paper, invented during the Han Dynasty, was one of China's greatest inventions and allowed for a cheap easy way of keeping records and made printing possible
• They created a method by which portions of time could be measured using shadows cast by the sun; known as a sundial
• Today's seismograph has its roots in Ancient China, as emperors sought to gain insight to and an understanding of earth's movements
• They also discovered a mean of relieving pain and curing various diseases by inserting needles into specific points in the body. Acupuncture is still practiced today
• Ancient China is credited with inventing a tool that used earth's magnetic field to show direction; today's compass
• They used carved wood blocks to create a method for printing which then led to movable stamp-like blocks used to create lines of type
• They created a mix of powders and explosives to make what we call gunpowder
• Ancient Chinese perfected a thin and fragile form of pottery, called porcelain, became a valued item of trade
• Paper, invented during the Han Dynasty, was one of China's greatest inventions and allowed for a cheap easy way of keeping records and made printing possible
• They created a method by which portions of time could be measured using shadows cast by the sun; known as a sundial
• Today's seismograph has its roots in Ancient China, as emperors sought to gain insight to and an understanding of earth's movements
• They also discovered a mean of relieving pain and curing various diseases by inserting needles into specific points in the body. Acupuncture is still practiced today
Architecture
• Timber was mainly used in the construction of Ancient Chinese houses
• Wooden posts and lintels, joist and beams supported weight in Ancient Chinese structures
• Walls served to separate rooms but did not bare any weight of the structures
• Most of a building's decoration was achieved through detailed painting
• Patterns and floral artwork and design on even the most functional of pillars displayed creativity of the high-level craftsmen
• Even the layout of the windows, courtyards, and walls reflect a high level of creativity, as no one scene is the same from window to window, and perspective of details changes with a few steps difference in the courtyards and within the house itself
• Chinese memorial arches, called piafang, have remained a strong symbol throughout Chinese Culture
• Timber was mainly used in the construction of Ancient Chinese houses
• Wooden posts and lintels, joist and beams supported weight in Ancient Chinese structures
• Walls served to separate rooms but did not bare any weight of the structures
• Most of a building's decoration was achieved through detailed painting
• Patterns and floral artwork and design on even the most functional of pillars displayed creativity of the high-level craftsmen
• Even the layout of the windows, courtyards, and walls reflect a high level of creativity, as no one scene is the same from window to window, and perspective of details changes with a few steps difference in the courtyards and within the house itself
• Chinese memorial arches, called piafang, have remained a strong symbol throughout Chinese Culture