Ancient China developed a unique culture due to its isolated geography along major river valleys and surrounded by natural barriers like mountains and deserts. The geography influenced the development of political and social structures, including the philosophy of the Mandate of Heaven and the emphasis on filial piety. Major religious and philosophical traditions that emerged in China and gained popularity included Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and Legalism. The Great Wall of China was constructed starting in the 3rd century BCE and reconstructed during the Ming Dynasty to protect against nomadic tribes from the north.

1. Ancient China Yeah, it’s awesome too

2. Himalayas Gobi Desert River Valleys

3. From the map What does China have in common with all of the other ancient civilizations we have studied? RIVERS

4. Yellow River

5. Yangtze River

6. Three Gorges Dam

7. Three Gorges Dam Has displaced over 1 million people. Everyone in Champaign-Urbana, Bloomington, Danville, Springfield, and Peoria has to pick up an move. The government is making them move for benefit of the country Do you think that this is right or wrong? If the U.S. Government made all of you pick up and move to another state, would you?

9. It’s said that because of the amount of water held by the dam, the earth’s rotation could be altered DAAAAAAAAAM!

11. Chinese Climate Monsoon Season – Winter Months and months of just rain Allows for farmable land in China

15. China’s culture Is ancient China more similar or more different than the other cultures we have studied? Is modern China more similar or more different than our culture? How does this difference reflect China’s geography?

17. Mt. Everest

18. Gobi Desert

20. Their surroundings? Mt. Everest – highest mountain in the world Part of the Himalayas The Gobi Desert – 4 th largest and 1 st driest desert in the world That’s hot!

21. Himalayas Gobi Desert River Valleys What does it all add up to?

22. Ancient Chinese Culture It is very unique because China is extremely isolated from the rest of Asia It makes sense They never were contacted by other groups, thus their culture developed very uniquely

23. Political Structure/ philosophy Mandate of Heaven Read the Mandate of Heaven handout and answer the questions attached for homework According to the Mandate, under what circumstances did the people have a right to revolt?

24. Mandate of Heaven Heaven would bless the authority of a just ruler, but would be displeased with a despotic ruler and would withdraw its mandate. The Mandate of Heaven would then transfer to those who would rule best.

25. Social Structure Filial Piety Filial means son or daughter Piety means respect What does filial piety mean?

26. Filial piety Obedience to one’s ancestors because of love and respect

27. A Woman’s Place “ A clever man builds a city, A clever woman lays one low; With all her qualifications, that clever woman is but an ill-omened bird.” What was the woman’s place, do you think?

28. Chinese philosophy/religion First up is Buddhism Started in India This caught on in China for a number of reasons Buddhism spread because of the Silk Road Not just silk, remember? Buddhism had many characteristics from other Chinese philosophies

29. Buddhism’s principal beliefs The physical surroundings are an illusion Material things are pointless, and they cause us pain because we care about them too much Letting go of your worldly cares can bring you close to peace and one with the world This is called nirvana

30. Four Noble Truths Ordinary life is full of suffering This suffering is caused by our desire to satisfy ourselves The way to end the suffering is to end selfish desire and to see others as extensions of ourselves The way to end desire is to follow the Middle Path ANYONE CAN DO THIS Buddha rejected castes

31. The Chinese LOVED THIS They were in rigid social classes as well, but their rulers didn’t mind if their subjects tried to reach heaven

32. Chinese religion/philosophy Confucianism founded by Confucius His interests were not religious, but philosophical Known as “the first teacher”

33. Confucianism Confucius believed in merit-based government Merit-based: If you studied hard and got an A in Government class, you might be pushed to go into politics Ruling is not just for the elite, but for those who can serve well

34. Confucianism What do Confucists believe? Serve your family, and those in power above you. Be subservient b/c you should respect your ancestors What do you think about being subservient to all those above and older than you as a belief system?

35. Chinese religion/philosophy Daoism (Taoism) Based on the teaching of Lao Tzu (Laoze) Like Confucianism, was not concerned with the meaning of the universe The best way to improve the world, was not to do things, but to practice inaction Why was this philosophy attractive?

36. “ The universe is sacred You cannot improve it If you try to change it, you will ruin it If you try to hold it, you will lose it.” - Lao Tsu What did Taoists think about nature?

37. Daoism Taoists had a deep reverence for nature

38. Chinese Religion/Philosophy Legalism No official founder Legalists’ beliefs People are naturally bad Laws should be impersonal and harsh

39. Legalism People should be ruled by a strong powerful leader to control them Who do you think came up with the idea that China should be rules by a strong leader with lots of power?

40. Not built in a Day: The Great Wall

41. The Who: Parts of the wall were built by previous rulers First emperor of Qin Dynasty, Qin Shi Huang, connected all the differing parts of wall, making it a single “wall” of rammed earth (more like a mound) Forced many workers to build the wall and many died

42. The What: World’s longest man-made structure Over 3,948 miles long Questionable whether visible from space (many believe binoculars and clear weather conditions are needed)

43. The Where: Located in China Starts at Bo Hai Sea in the east and extends east to protect the treasure that is, Beijing Qin Shi Huang’s wall was located further north than the Great Wall today—little of the ‘original’ exists today

44. The When: ‘Original’ Qin Shi Huang wall started in 208 BCE Various walls built by other dynasties Great Wall as we see it today was built by the Ming Dynasty from 1560-1640 CE in reaction to the Mongols’ siege of Beijing in 1550 CE

45. The Why: Built to keep out the nomadic tribes from the north (modern-day Mongolia & Manchuria) Also frontier demarcation (“You’re in my territory now!”)

46. The How: Quarried what was available in the area: limestone, granite Fired bricks Would build two big outer walls, fill in between with dirt and rubble, then pave over the top, thus connecting the two walls In desert locales, used dirt rammed between wood tied together with woven mats

47. Juyongguan

48. Juyongguan 37 miles northwest of Beijing Strategically protected Beijing One of three greatest passes of the Great Wall What is seen now at Juyongguan was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and renovated in the 1990s

49. Let’s get Started !!

50. On the way to Station #1: kinda crowded

51. Whew! One down…. View from Watch Tower Engraved certificate, anyone?

55. Graffiti, the universal language