Ancient China

Confucius

Confucius also encouraged the idea of xiao, or filial piety. Filial piety involves showing the highest respect to one's parents and the elders of society. He also believed in practicing the Golden Rule. According to this idea, people should treat others as they would like to be treated. Confucius became a teacher and traveled to spread his ideas. He gained followers who wanted to spread his ideas. Some of his followers collected his sayings and teachings into a book called The Analects. In time, more people began to adopt and follow the Confucian virtues of righteousness and morality. As a result, Confucianism helped to restore peace and order in China. Confucianism also reinforced the idea of one central and fair ruler. Next, you'll watch a video about Confucius

Mountains and Plateaus

towering mountain ranges cover almost two-thirds of China. They acted as a barrier that protected Chinese civilizations in the river valleys from outsiders. The largest of these mountain ranges is the mighty Himalayas, which run along the western and southern border of China. The Himalayas surround the Plateau of Tibet in western China. It is the largest plateau on earth. The Plateau of Tibet is often called the "roof of the world" because it rises 14,763 feet, or nearly 3 miles, above sea level. Melting snow from the mountains flows onto the plateau. This fresh water feeds rivers that cross the plateau, including the Huang He and Yangtze. The Plateau of Tibet also protected ancient civilizations from outsiders. Its harsh, cold climate made it impossible for people to cross.

monsoon a seasonal reversal of wind direction that results in heavy rain

Although the Huang He River provided China with rich soil and water for agriculture, it was also the source of great hardship and sorrow. Because of the large amount of silt that it carried, the level of the Huang He kept increasing every year. As a result, the river would flood onto the land during heavy monsoons. The ancient civilizations in the Huang He River valley suffered because of these floods. This region came to be known as China's "Great Sorrow."

Archaeologists

Archaeologists have discovered ancient Chinese tombs. These artifacts help us learn more about the culture of ancient China. For example, the tombs show that the ancient Chinese developed detailed rituals for burying the dead. Most tombs were rectangular graves dug into the ground. The Chinese buried important personal possessions with the bodies. These items included deer teeth, jewelry, jade axes, hammers, and ivory combs. The burial tombs suggest that the ancient Chinese believed in an afterlife. They likely thought that the dead would use their possessions after death.

The Xia Dynasty

Archaeologists know some facts about the Xia dynasty. But they are still working to uncover more about its history. For years, people told myths and legends to explain the history of this dynasty. No written records have survived from this time period. Next, you'll watch a short video about one legend from China's ancient history. Pay attention to the story, and think about what it tells us about the history of ancient China. Yu the Great was a legendary Xia ruler known for his strong moral character.

Sanxingdui

As towns and villages grew, different cultures began to develop in ancient China. One of the earliest cultures was Sanxingdui. This walled city was located on the banks of the river Minjiang in what is now the Sichuan province. Historians don't know much about Sanxingdui people. They didn't leave written records and it's unclear how long they existed. But they did leave behind ancient artifacts that tell us what life might have been like for the Sanxingdui people. For example, archaeologists have discovered many jade items, including pieces of jewelry and carvings. They have also found weapons, huge bronze structures, and a life-sized statue of a powerful Sanxingdui man. These findings suggest that the people of Sanxingdui had advanced skills, including bronze-making abilities.

China's Geography

China is a large nation with many different geographical features. Deserts cover the northwestern and northeastern regions. The mighty Himalaya mountain range borders western China. Much of eastern China is a fertile region that includes rivers, plains, and coastal areas. Let's take a closer look at the impact these physical features had on the development of early Chinese civilizations

China's Early Civilizations

China's civilizations developed around rivers. The earliest settlements grew and spread on land surrounding the Huang He River. This river and other geographical features played a key role in shaping China's civilizations.

The Xia and Shang Dynasties

China's villages and farming communities became more complex over time. Wealthy and powerful families gradually gained control of most of the land. Eventually the most powerful family in all the villages formed one centralized government. This family ruled over the villages and communities as China's first dynasty. The term dynasty refers to a series of kings or rulers from one family. The king's successor was always his son. So, having a male child was extremely important. a tiered temple behind a stone wall This temple is dedicated to Yu the Great, the first king of the Xia dynasty.

Cultures of Eastern China

Chinese cultures also developed in eastern China. The people of this region crafted gray and black pottery in distinctive shapes. This use of pottery shows that early eastern Chinese cultures were also advanced. People even used tools and wheels. Like the people of Sanxingdui, the people of eastern China worked with jade. Jade arts and crafts became the most notable feature of early Chinese civilization.

Deserts

Deserts border northern and western China. The Gobi Desert to the north is the fifth-largest desert in the world. It is also the coldest desert. The Gobi experiences bitter cold and even frost. Temperatures there drop as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit but rise to 122 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. The Taklimakan Desert is located to the west of China. It is extremely harsh and dry. The hostile and extreme climates of both deserts made them dangerous for foreign enemies to cross in ancient times. The deserts acted as natural barriers to China. They protected the civilization from outside invaders.

Early Human Settlements in China

Early Chinese settlers led a nomadic life. Around 6000 BC, they began to settle on the fertile land of the Huang He River valley. This development occurred during a time known as the Neolithic Age. Settlements along the Yangtze River also formed during this period. The use of agriculture allowed these river valley settlements to thrive. Increased food production supported growing populations of people. Over time, towns and villages formed. A small village contained about 100 families. They lived in clay houses with flat roofs. The people worked on small family farms. They used simple agricultural tools and animals such as oxen and dogs. Rice and wheat were the staple foods of the people. People living near the coastal areas also ate fish.

Warm-Up

In this lesson, you are going to read about ancient China. What do you think it means to say that something is "ancient"? Why do you think historians today are interested in studying ancient times? Open the Notebook tool () and write your answer in a few paragraphs.

Seas

Large bodies of water surround China. Both the Yellow Sea and South China Sea are part of the Pacific Ocean. The Yellow Sea is located between China on the west and the Korean Peninsula on the east. Both seas were a source of fish and transportation. They also kept China isolated from the rest of the world. The lack of cultural exchange with other civilizations led the Chinese to develop a unique identity.

farmers

Many farmers in China continue to use traditional farming methods developed over thousands of years.

Shang Dynasty

Oracle bones are the earliest written records of Chinese civilization. And the script on the oracle bones is the earliest form of Chinese writing. The discovery of these bones gave historians proof that the Shang dynasty existed. The system of writing in ancient China developed from an early form of writing called pictograph . These simple pictures and symbols were carved on pottery and jade. Over time, the pictographs evolved into a Chinese script. The carved script on oracle bones shows that the Shang people already followed the principles of modern writing. Other records during the Shang dynasty appeared on bamboo and silk strips. People also made short written carvings on bronze objects.

Shang Dynasty

Religion played a major role during the Shang dynasty. The Shang believed that the spirits of dead family members continued to affect the lives of living family members. The Shang worshipped these ancestors, as well as dead kings. Another widespread practice in Shang culture was visiting priests. People believe that these spiritual leaders could communicate with the dead to find out about the future. Priests interpreted messages from a family's ancestors using oracle bones. These objects were made of ox bones, or sometimes shells of tortoises. People would visit a priest and ask questions about the future. The priest would carve these questions onto the oracle bone. Then the priest would hold a heated bronze rod against the bone. The heat would cause the bone to develop multiple cracks. The priest would then interpret the pattern of the cracks. People believed the cracks were a message from the dead that predicted the future. a carved oracle bone from the Shang dynasty This carved bone is from the Shang dynasty. The process of striking the bone with a heated rod to create cracks is called divination.

Major Rivers

The Huang He and the Yangtze are major rivers in China. Both rivers contributed to the development of civilization in China. Also known as the Yellow River because of its yellow-colored silt, the Huang He begins in western China and travels eastward for 3,395 miles. The Yangtze is the longest river in Asia and the third longest river in the world. It begins in the glaciers of the Tibetan plateau in the west. From there, it flows 3,915 miles to the East China Sea. Both rivers were an important means of transport in ancient China. The rivers were also sources of fresh water and fertile soil. The Huang He River valley is often called the "cradle of ancient Chinese civilization." It is the largest plain of its kind in Asia, and its rich yellow silt provides the valley with some of the most fertile soil in the world. This fertile soil allowed ancient agriculture to thrive. People grew millet and wheat near the Huang He. The Yangtze River valley was the first place in the world where rice was grown. The Yangtze River and its 49 tributaries cover nearly 4,000 square miles of China.

Sanxingdui

The Sanxingdui culture left behind large and intricate bronze sculptures, including this mask.

The Shang Dynasty

The Shang dynasty began in 1600 BC and lasted until 1050 BC. During those 600 years, almost 30 kings ruled China. King Cheng Tang was the first Shang leader. Some of the most notable contributions to China's history happened in the Shang dynasty. A system of writing and metalwork developed during this period. A strict social class order was also established. The king was the most powerful person in Chinese society. Other nobles were below the king. Next in rank were warriors, then merchants, and then farmers. Slaves were the lowest social class. The government of the Shang dynasty also followed a strict order. It included several levels of government officials. Within the levels, each official had specific duties. The officials all belonged to the noble family in power during the Shang dynasty.

Shang Dynasty

The Shang dynasty started and grew during China's prosperous Bronze Age. The Bronze Age began around 1700 BC. The Chinese people considered bronze to be a symbol of wealth and power. They did not use bronze to make ordinary tools, such as hammers. Instead, they used it to make advanced weapons. They also used it to make big containers for serving food and wine during rituals and ceremonies. Many bronze objects have survived from this period. They include huge wine vessels weighing more than 2,000 pounds. These objects show that the Shang culture gave great importance to ceremonies and rituals, such as burials and the worship of gods and ancestors.

Shang Dynasty

The Shang dynasty was stable and flourished under many rulers. However, King Zhou, the last Shang ruler, led an extravagant lifestyle. He spent a lot of wealth on Daji, his companion. He also punished people cruelly. In 1046 BC, a powerful Chinese leader from the state of Zhou led a rebellion against King Zhou. This leader, named Wu, defeated King Zhou's army. Wu's victory marked the end of the Shang dynasty and the beginning of the Zhou dynasty. Before it ended, the Shang dynasty advanced human civilization in China. People today continue to study it for its many important contributions to Chinese civilization. These advances include metal working techniques, jade ornaments, burial tombs, bronze weapons, horse-drawn chariots, oracle bones, and a system of writing.

The Xia Dynasty

The Xia dynasty was the first dynasty to rule China. It lasted around 500 years, from 2000 BC to 1600 BC. According to legend, a leader named Yu the Great established this dynasty. Agriculture was the main occupation of the Xia people. They used stone and bone tools, and they made clay pottery. People also used bronze to make containers and weapons. The jade products of the Xia period were delicate and beautiful. The Xia people also used a calendar that followed the movements of the sun and the moon.

Explanation:

The Yellow Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean, is to the northeast of China. The Himalayas run along the western and southern borders. The Plateau of Tibet covers western China. The Gobi desert is in northern China.

Zhou dynasty

The Zhou also used the system of crop rotation. In this system, farmers planted different crops on the same field in different years. This farming technique improved the soil and helped protect crops from pests and diseases. The Zhou also developed irrigation methods, which carried water from rivers to farmland. In addition, they invented ways to control floods. These developments increased food production. As a result, the population of China increased greatly. Trade also flourished during the Zhou dynasty. Silk was a major source of trade. The Chinese also sold items such as fur, spices, pottery, and bronze to Greece, the Middle East, and some neighboring civilizations in Asia

The Zhou Dynasty

The Zhou dynasty began in 1050 BC and was the longest dynasty to rule China. During the Zhou dynasty, the Chinese made great progress in the fields of economy, trade, culture, religion, and science. Zhou rulers introduced the idea of the Mandate of Heaven. According to the Mandate of Heaven, the gods of heaven gave the rulers the power to rule. The mandate also spread the idea that when an unjust ruler was defeated, it was because the gods had punished him for his wrong deeds. Only a just ruler could be king.

Western and Eastern Zhou

The Zhou dynasty was divided into two periods. The Western Zhou period lasted from 1100 BC to 771 BC. It was followed by the Eastern Zhou period, from 770 BC to 221 BC. The western period was fairly stable and peaceful. However, the Zhou ruling system led to problems. While some rulers were just, others expected people to obey them blindly. Around 770 BC, people rebelled against the king and overthrew him. This event marked the start of the Eastern Zhou period. The new king had difficulty maintaining his power. Some feudal lords took advantage of his weakness. They established rule in their own states. Over time, these small states merged into several larger states. By 475 BC, major wars broke out among these powerful states. This period became known as the Warring States period. During this time, the states fought to expand their territory and gain greater power.During the warring states period, several states along the Huang He River valley declined. At the same time, states such as Qin, Qi, and Chu grew in size and power

Zhou

The conflict among the warring states affected family and social life in China. Family life was central to Chinese society. Powerful families had controlled huge plots of land under the Zhou leadership. But as violent wars raged across China, many families became divided in a struggle to keep power over their lands. Sometimes brothers even killed one another to secure their right to inherit land. In 221 BC, the king of the Qin state defeated all other warring states. He brought China under his rule and became known as Emperor Qin. This event marked the end of the Zhou dynasty and the beginning of the Qin dynasty. Emperor Qin in ornate robes China united under the rule of Emperor Qin in 221 BC.

Confucius

The period of political chaos and turmoil in China gave birth to one of the most influential Chinese philosophies—Confucianism. Confucius was a philosopher who tried to restore peace in China during the decline of the Zhou dynasty. Confucius wanted to restore morality, ethics, and duty to Chinese society. He believed that a powerful central ruler could rule China smoothly. He also felt that there would be no chaos if each person did his or her duty and respected traditional values and culture. Confucianism focused on morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, and sincerity. Ren is a central idea of Confucian philosophy. It involves loving others while practicing self-discipline. Confucius believed that a leader should promote the idea of ren by leading with humility and compassion.

What does it tell us about life in ancient China? Why do you think people in China gave Yu the title "the Great"?

The video provided these facts about life in ancient China: Weather had a huge influence on daily life. Rulers could be harsh. Duty and honor were valued. The people of China gave Yu the title "the Great" because he worked hard to control floods.

displays

This museum reconstruction displays a Neolithic burial site in China

Zhou society

Zhou society had a clear social order. The king was all-powerful and ruled over all classes. Below the king were nobles, government officials, scholars, warriors, farmers, craftspeople, and merchants and traders. The Zhou rulers gave the noble class, or lords, large areas of land. The lords ruled over the land and everyone living on it. They made poor farmers, called peasants, work the land. This system is known as feudalism, and it grew during the Zhou dynasty. Men and women also lived by a strict social order. Because power passed from the king to his son, the Zhou culture gave more importance to boys. Boys from wealthy families attended school, but their sisters could not attend. Instead, Zhou society expected girls of all classes to marry by the age of 15. As wives, they often lived a life in which they served their husbands and family. Children of the lower classes in Zhou society did not attend school. Instead, they helped their parents in farming. During this time, the Zhou dynasty made important advances in agriculture. The Zhou was one of the first civilizations to use iron in tools. They invented iron ploughs that helped farmers loosen hard soil. They also developed new bronze tools

mandate

a command or rule that must be followed

pictograph

a picture or symbol that represents a word or phrase; pictographs were used in early forms of writing

Confucius are respectful, dutiful, and moral.

respectful: Confucius believed that respecting elders is an important virtue. dutiful: He believed that people should honor and fulfill their duties with dedication. moral: He believed that people should display good, moral behavior.