Skip to main content
UploadLanguage (EN)Support
BusinessMobileSocial MediaMarketingTechnologyArt & PhotosCareerDesignEducationPresentations & Public SpeakingGovernment & NonprofitHealthcareInternetLawLeadership & ManagementAutomotiveEngineeringSoftwareRecruiting & HRRetailSalesServicesScienceSmall Business & EntrepreneurshipFoodEnvironmentEconomy & FinanceData & AnalyticsInvestor RelationsSportsSpiritualNews & PoliticsTravelSelf ImprovementReal EstateEntertainment & HumorHealth & MedicineDevices & HardwareLifestyle
Kimberly Simpson, profile picture
Uploaded byKimberly Simpson
PPTX, PDF17,620 views

Ancient china huang he civilizations

The document discusses the ancient civilizations of China, focusing on the Huang He river valley and the developments under the Shang and Zhou dynasties. It highlights the formation of early Chinese society, the establishment of dynasties, advancements in agriculture and technology, the introduction of Confucianism and Taoism, and the impact of geography on cultural development. Key figures, social structures, and religious beliefs of ancient China are also outlined.

Education◦Technology◦Entertainment & Humor◦
Downloaded 537 times
Ancient China The Huang He River Valley Civilizations Zhou Dynasty
Big Idea  Chinese civilization began with the Shang dynasty along the Huang He (Yellow) river.  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 (Yangzi) rivers  China’s first dynasties helped Chinese society develop and made many other achievements
Geography Panku Creation 1:32
Geography  Chinese civilization began around the area between the two rivers, the Chiang Jiang (Yangzi) and the Huang He (Yellow)  China was separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Himalayas & separated from most of Asia by deserts  Separation resulted in China developing its on unique culture and sense of identity without much cultural diffusion  Even today, Chinese culture is very different from “western” society
Civilization Begins  The rivers flood leaving behind a fertile silt that is perfect for farming  7000 BC- farmers grow rice along the middle of the Chang Jang Valley  To the North on the Huang He, soil was better for growing cereals like millet and wheat  They also fished and hunted with bows and arrows  Domesticated animals such as pigs and sheep  Large towns grew along the Huang He  Burials like Egyptians with tombs filled with objects  Wealthy were buried with jade
The Xia Dynasty • What is a dynasty? • Why do they exist? Legend says the Xia Dynasty was the first dynasty in China but no one really know for sure. The were likely to be a Bronze Age society. Later written stories of the time period tell of a horrible flood. Yu the Great, the founder of the Xia Dynasty, dug channels to drain the water back into the ocean. It took him over ten years to complete and created the major waterways of north China. • Other stories tell of how Xia rulers worked with the people to solve problems
Shang Dynasty
Shang Dynasty  Took over China in 1600 BC  Ruled China for about 700 years  Took over 1800 city- states……America has 50 states  They divided their government into little bits controlled by loyal governors (Nobles appointed by the king to preform certain duties & land lords)
Shang Dynasty • Head of political & religious lifeKing • Advisors to King • Government & religious officials • Land Lords Nobles • From the far regions Warriors leaders • Pottery • Clothes • Tools • weapons Artisans •Worked long hours •Little pay •Over taxed Farmers • Lowest rank • Important labor resource Slaves
Advancements  They farmed millet, wheat, barley, & rice  They grew silkworms, dogs, pigs, & sheep  They had accomplished metal metal workers & craftsmen (bronze containers for cooking & religious ceremonies, axes, knives, jade ornaments  Military developed bronze body armor, powerful bows, & war chariots  Astrologers created a calendar based on the cycles of the moon
The Legend of Silk  A 14 year old queen of China supposedly saw a worm spin its cocoon. She then took the cocoon, dropped it in hot water and watched it break up to threads. The thread was the used to sew and create silk garments.  What is silk?  It is secreted from the silk worm’s mouth to make the cocoons.  This “spit-up” hardens upon contact with the air.
Chinese Writing System  More than 2,000 symbols to express words or ideas  Today’s Chinese symbols are still based on the Shang Dynasty symbols  Archeologist have found these symbols on cattle bones and turtle shells  Priests carved questions about the future on the bones & shells, heated them up till they cracked, and then read the oracles or predictions from the cracks Shang bones 2:48
The “Dragon Bones” Story Fu Hao was married to King Wu Ding. He was a great warrior king, but he made peace with the surrounding tribes by marrying one women from each tribe and he ended up with 60 wives. She was smart enough to earn his favour by working in his government and he trusted her to perform special rituals and offer sacrifices, which was very unusual for a woman at that time, anywhere in the world. It was also very unusual for a woman be so powerful and to lead military campaigns. She was in charge of up to 13000 soldiers and was the boss of two generals Zhi and Hou Gao. The Shang had been fighting with the Tu-Fang for ages until Fu Hao defeated them once and for all. Then she won major battles against the Yi, Qiang and Ba tribes, and led the earliest recorded large-scale ambush in Chinese history. http://lisahillschoolstuff.wikispaces.com/Fu+Hao,+Woman+Warrior
King Ding must have been very proud of her because he built a magnificent tomb for her after she died. Her battle-axes and other weapons were buried with her, along with sacrificial bronze vessels and tortoise shells which are marked prepared by Fu Hao. This shows that she was a high priestess and could cast oracles (which means that they thought she could tell the future). Fu Hao died about 1200 BC, but her name survives because the Chinese word 'Hao' means 'good'.
Religion  Polytheistic  Top god was Shang Ti- the Founder of the Shang Dynasty  Ancestor worship began in this period, as did the sacrifices to the gods  When Kings died, thousands of slaves were executed to serve him in the afterlife.  The kings tomb would be filled with objects and food that he would need in the afterlife- like Egyptians.
Summary of Shang 2:14
Shang Dynasty government religion society achievements Kings ruled, nobles advised King at center of religion, priests used oracle bones to make predictions Royal family/nobles at highest level. Artisans at middle level, farmers, slaves at lower levels Writing system, use of bronze, calendar, ear chariots, and bows
The Zhou Dynasty  The longest lasting Dynasty in Chinese history- 900 years  Nomadic farmers settled near the Shang Dynasty’s kingdom  They were skilled fighters & farmers  They used iron weapons (stronger than the Shang’s bronze weapons)
Textbook page 167 Chinese Bronze Bells Music & Dance 2:53
Mandate of Heaven After the Zhou overtook the Shang Dynasty- they had to get the people to accept them as the new kings. They claimed that heaven granted the emperors the right to rule based on their ability to govern well and fairly. The Son of Heaven gives the right to a just ruler The overthrow of a ruler meant he had lost the Mandate of Heaven because he was no longer worthy of it.
Zhou Government Structure King gives land to the Lords Lords preform military service Lords protect the Peasants Peasants work the farmland & service Nobles
Zhou Accomplishments  Huge public works, new dikes, dams and canals, better agriculture, transportation, and communication  Civilization grew, more people than anywhere else
Road to Chaos Invasions from central Asia (Warring States) Lords began fighting against each other They lacked loyalty to anyone but themselves Chaos began to reign Ruling system crumbled as the Lords began declaring themselves kings
“Kung Fu-Tzu”or Confucius  Believed society should be like a family with everyone having roles & responsibilities  Wanted a return to ethics- moral values of the ancients  Lords ignored Confucius  Confucius was a traveling teacher with great respect, sharing his ideas with all  After Confucius’ death- his students wrote down his proverbs or Analects
Confucianism  Kung Fu-Tzu lived 551-479 BC  It is not a religion, but an ethical code of morals for individuals, society, and government  Primary goals: order, harmony, peace and happiness on earth  Achieved through education, self-effort, and self-reflection
Confucianism’s Five Relationships  Most important principles deal with the ideal standard of conduct that controls social action. 1. Parent-child: kindness in the father & obedient in the son 2. Husband-wife: righteous behavior in the husband & obedience in the wife 3. Elder sibling- younger sibling: gentility in the eldest brother & humility and respect in the younger 4. Elder friend- younger friend: humane consideration in elders & deference in juniors 5. Ruler- subject: benevolence in rulers & loyalty of ministers & subjects
Confucianism Impact  Initially spread through the Analects after his death by his students  Later, his students too positions within the government  Ideals formed the basis fro the civil service exam in China  Became foundation of Chinese education  Teachings spread to Korea and Japan Confucius & Confucianism 8:20
Origins Founder Principle s Diffusion China during the Zhou Dynasty After the end of feudalism crime was rampant and Confucius spoke of returning to the moral standards of the ancients Kung Fu-Tzu (Confucius) 551- 479 BC Ethical code dealing with moral character of individuals, society, and government Goals: order, harmony, peace, and happiness on earth Achieved through education, self- effort, and self- achievement Standard of conduct- Five Relationships Students/ followers obtained government jobs Analects of his teachings Basis for Chinese Civil Servant Exam Foundation for Chinese education Teachings spread through Korea & Japan
Taosim  Lao Tse was the founder of this philosophy. He lived before Confucius, but his teachings took longer to take root  Taoism grew as a reaction to the spread of Confucianism and Buddhism  Tao (Dao) means “The Way” or “The Path”  Focus on achieving balance and harmony in the universe and your life  Nature represents balance & the way you live
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff  Key concept: “Effortless doing” occurs when man’s efforts & actions are in harmony with the universe & not in conflict with the natural order  Harmony with nature
Reflects harmony and balance Symbol emphasizes the Three Jewels: compassion moderation humility
Tao Te Ching Text
Origins Founder Principles Diffusion Chinese philosophies merged into one basic teaching Grew as a reaction to the spread of Confucianism and Buddhism Lao- Tse “The Way” or “The Path” Focus on achieving balance and harmony within nature “effortless doing”- man’s actions are at one with nature Symbol- Yin/Yang The Three Jewels: compassion, moderation, & harmony Tao Te Ching text Spread to areas immediately near China Incorporated into the teachings & beliefs of several philosophies and religions-most notable: Buddhism and Shintoism
Activity: Create a chart depicting the differences and similarities of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism 16:32