Unit 5 Lesson 3 World History

What are some of the important technological advances made in early China? Why are they important?

Silk making gave China a valuable trade item; a complex written language that was common to all who could read and write made it possible to communicate with people from all over China despite local dialects; and book-making allowed ideas and information to be documented as well as brought to other areas of China.

What are three ways that China expanded during the Zhou dynasty?

The Zhou dynasty expanded economic production by developing new iron tools that helped produce more food. They grew new crops and organized large-scale irrigation works. They expanded commerce by using money. Economic expansion led to an increase in population which led to the settling and farming of new territories.

feudalism

loosely organized system of government in which local lords governed their own lands but owed military service and other support to a greater lord

With what ideas was the philosophy of Confucius concerned?

personal growth, social order, good government

Compare the basic ideas of Confucianism and Daoism in their approach to how people should live their lives.

Confucianism taught people to accept their place in society and to live their lives according to the duties and responsibilities of their roles in the five key relationships. Daoism taught people to focus on living in harmony with nature. Some Daoists turned away from what they considered the unnatural ways of society.

Confucius

Confucius (551 B.C. -479 B.C. ) is China's most famous philosopher. His teachings about the importance of education and public service influenced many eastern Asian civilizations. His ancestors, members of the aristocracy, were poor by the time of Confucius's birth. By the age of 15, Confucius was dedicated to the life of a scholar. Although his ideas about the proper way to live guided millions of people, Confucius's own life was simple and reflected a deep humility.

How did a uniform system of writing benefit the Chinese?

Different languages were spoken throughout China. Since all of China used the same system of writing, it provided a way for all Chinese to communicate regardless of spoken language.

Laozi

Laozi means "Master Lao" or "Old Master" in the Chinese language. An old man when Confucius was a young scholar, Laozi was born in a small village in ancient China. He was appointed a historian in one of the Zhou dynasty courts. Laozi developed a philosophy of inner calm, purity of mind, and living in harmony with nature that is called Dao, or the way of the universe. His book, The Way of Life, had enormous influence on Chinese life.

How does a society achieve harmony?

when people accept their place and role in society

What characteristics did the Shang and Zhou governments and social structures have in common?

Both governments had a feudal system: kings had great wealth while nobles governed most of the land and provided armies. Both dynasties had social structures made up of rulers and noble warriors, artisans, merchants, and peasants.

China's geographic barriers made it difficult for both invaders and traders to make their way to the center of China's emerging civilization. What physical features acted as obstacles to outside contact with China?

Geographic barriers included high mountain ranges in the west and southwest; thick rainforests in the southeast; the Gobi desert to the north; and to the east, the Pacific Ocean.

How did China's varied geography both help and hinder China's development as a country?

Geographic barriers kept China isolated, allowing it to develop without interference from foreign invasion. At the same time, fertile river valleys allowed farmers to grow enough food to feed growing populations, increase trade, and expand their economy.

What duties and responsibilities do superiors have? How does this apply to rulers?

Superiors should care for and set a good example for their inferiors. Rulers should provide good government by being virtuous and leading by example. To this end, they should also be well educated.

What aspects of Confucianism and Daoism do you think contributed to their long-lasting influence?

The Confucian emphasis on achieving social harmony by performing the duties associated with their roles gave people a sense of structure and a map for achieving a good life. Daoism's emphasis on living in harmony with nature and the virtue of yielding to the ways of the universe gave people a way of looking beyond everyday cares.

What are some of the contributions both the Shang and Zhou dynasties made to the growth of China's classical civilization?

The Shang established a system of cooperative government that produced enough stability to support artisans. The Zhou further solidified that government into feudalism. Introducing the idea of dynastic cycles and the Mandate of Heaven led to more attention being paid to good vs. bad government. That eventually brought economic prosperity and technological advances that benefited the civilization as a whole.

Why do you think Shang kings only controlled a small area, while loyal princes and nobles governed most of the land? What would be the purpose of dividing power in this manner?

The Shang kings were "at the top of the social hierarchy." However, the Shang kings probably controlled only a small area. This indicates that the kings were aware of how much land they could control. Rather than attempting to control too much, they left local governance to local nobles. Then, if needed, the kings could call upon local nobles to muster armies of several thousand men.

What are some of the most notable achievements of early China?

a complex system of writing, the first books, silk-making, the development of an accurate calendar, advancements in the art and technology of bronze-making

character

a graphic symbol (as a hieroglyph or alphabet letter) used in writing or printing

philosophy

a particular set of ideas about knowledge, truth, the nature and meaning of life, etc.

oracle bone

an animal bone or tortoise shell on which ancient Chinese priests wrote predictions about the future

loess

an unstratified usually buff to yellowish brown loamy deposit found in North America, Europe, and Asia and believed to be chiefly deposited by the wind

According to Confucius, what is everyone's prime duty?

filial piety, or respect for one's parents

clan

group of families with a common ancestor

dynastic cycle

rise and fall of Chinese dynasties according to the Mandate of Heaven

What are the five key relationships according to Confucius? Which is based on equality?

ruler to subject, parent to child, husband to wife, elder brother to younger brother, and friend to friend; Friend to friend is based on equality.

filial piety

the practice of a respect for one's parents above all other things