Ancient China was geographically isolated by mountains and deserts, which limited outside influences. Civilization developed along two major river systems, the Chang Jiang and Huang He rivers, where the fertile soil supported farming. Three major philosophies emerged during a period of conflict and disorder: Legalism advocated for a powerful government and strict laws to maintain order, Confucianism focused on social hierarchies, filial piety, and setting a good example, and Daoism believed in living harmoniously according to natural rhythms and avoiding involvement in government.

1. Chapter 6 Ancient China

2. Section 1 Geography Shapes Ancient China

3. Geographic Features of China Civilization centered around two rivers which brought water and silt Made farming possible Isolated by Barriers Water barriers: Yellow Sea, East China Sea, & Pacific Ocean Desert barriers: Gobi Desert & Taklimakan Desert Mts.: Pamir, Tian Shan, & Himalaya mts. Geographically isolated Made spread of ideas & goods difficult Few outside influences

4. Two River Systems Chang Jiang a.k.a. Yangtze Rivers Central China Huang He (or Yellow River) North China Ancient farming Done between Chang Jiang & Huang He Silt made fertile soil Center of Chinese civilization

5. A Varied Climate Had varied climate Western China: dry, mostly deserts & mts.; sparsely populated & usable farmland Northeast China: cold winters & warm summers Southeast China: mild winters & hot, rainy summers Climate variety lead to variety of crops produced Rice, wheat, soybeans, & millet

6. The Shang Dynasty Shang Kings 1766 B.C. Shang family began to control some cities Set-up dynasty (a family or group that rules for several generations) Kings: responsible for religious activities Ruled w/ god’s permission Ruled central North China Plain Used chariots to defend themselves against nomads

7. Shang Families Respect for parents & ancestors was important Close tie to religion Spirits of ancestors could bring good fortune Animals were sacrificed Men ruled within the family

8. Developing Language Kings claimed to be able to influence gods Received messages through oracle bones Animal bones that were scratched to question the gods (became early form of writing) Developed pictographs Used huge # of symbols Could read Chinese w/o being able to speak it Helped to unify a large varied land

9. The Zhou Dynasty Zhou moved down from the northwest Clashed w/ Shang 1027 B.C. Wu Wang led forces & defeated Shang Adopted many Shang ways New ideas also introduced

10. The Zhou & the Dynastic Cycle New dynasty est. Dynasties rose & fell in a pattern Dynastic Cycle Trouble resulted from rulers losing heaven’s favor Claimed last Shang ruler was bad & god took away Shang right to rule & gave it to Zhou Mandate of Heaven Bad or foolish ruler = approval of the gods would be taken away Examples: uprisings, invasions, floods, or earthquakes

11. Zhou Government Central gov’t was weak People w/ family ties or other trusted people were in charge Local rulers (lords) owed loyalty & military service to king King promised in return to protect their lands Lords became more powerful as cities grew More group under their power Less dependent on king Lords began to fight with each other & other peoples Added lands expanded Chinese territory

12. The Time of the Warring States Invasion was a constant theme 800 B.C. Nomads from the north & west invaded 771 B.C. Invaders destroyed capital city of Hao & king was killed Kings were weak Lords fought constantly As their power grew they claimed to be kings of their own territories (Time of the Warring States)

13. Section 2 China’s Ancient Philosophies

14. Intro During Time of Warring States Chinese society experienced much disorder Kings & Warlords fought over land, while scholars wondered what it would take to bring peace 3 ways of thinking developed Legalism Confucianism Daoism

15. Legalism Belief that a powerful, efficient gov’t and a strict legal system are the keys to social order Feared disorder Strong gov’t & strict laws would restore order

16. Strict Laws & Harsh Punishments Legalists believed human nature was wicked People do good only when forced to Gov’t should pass strict laws to control behavior in people Needed to make people afraid to do wrong

17. An Increase in Government Control Legalists believed rulers should reward those who carried out their duties well Punishment was, however, stressed more than rewards Shang Yang (Legalist) Wanted people to report lawbreakers Those who didn’t should be executed Legalists Did not want people ? or complain about the gov’t Arrested those that did Burned books that contained different philosophies or ideas

18. Confucianism Confucius Lived from 551-479 B.C. during time of unrest in China Wanted to restore order Believed more in peace to end conflict Respect for others was absolutely necessary for peace and order Gov’t leaders should set good example for people to see Ideas were collected in a book called the Analects Became belief system of Confucianism

19. The Five Relationships Code of proper conduct/behavior for people 5 basic relationships in Confucianism each with its own duties and its own code Father and son Elder brother and younger brother Husband and wife Friend and friend Ruler and subject *Two basic categories: proper conduct in the family & proper conduct in society

20. Proper Conduct Confucius Good conduct & respect began at home Husband good to wives, wives obeyed husbands, brothers kind to brothers, younger had to follow wishes of older Most important teaching Filial piety: treating parents w/ respect Behavior in society Authority should be respected Ruler was to live correctly & respect subjects Subjects should obey if they did Peace in society would come if followed

21. The Impact of Confucianism Chinese found ways to avoid conflict and live peacefully Many rulers tried to live up to Confucius’s model for a good ruler Groundwork was laid for fair and skilled gov’t officials

22. Daoism Laozi 500s B.C. Book of his teachings was Daodejing The Way Believed a universal force called the Dao (or Way) guides things All creatures, except humans, live in harmony w/ this force Humans argue about right and wrong (arguments are pointless) To relate to nature humans had to find individual was to follow Each should learn to live in harmony w/ nature & their inner feelings Natural order was more important than social order Social order would follow if everyone learned to live in their own individual harmony

23. Following the Way Daoists Didn’t not argue about good and bad & didn’t try to change things Accepted things as they were Didn’t want to be involved with gov’t Thought gov’t should leave people alone Yin and Yang Two things that interact w/ each other and represent the natural rhythms of life Yin (black): all that is cold, dark, & mysterious Yang (white): all that is warm, bright, and light Forces complement each other; forces always change and evolve Helps people understand how they fit into the world Daoists pursued scientific studies Astronomy & medicine