China developed along major rivers like the Yellow River and Yangtze River. Chinese culture began around 1500 BC and was governed by dynastic rulers who held a "Mandate of Heaven". Confucianism and Taoism were influential philosophies that emphasized order, harmony with nature, and respect for elders. The Great Wall was constructed to protect against northern invaders. Contributions included paper, porcelain, silk, and the Silk Road which facilitated trade. Confucius advocated for order through relationships and education while Laozi sought harmony with nature's way or Tao. Yin and yang represented balancing opposing forces.

1. ChinaChina

2. China

Centered on the Huang He (Yellow River)
and Yangtze rivers and was geographically
isolated.

Chinese culture began around 1500 BC.

China was governed by dynasties.

Chinese rulers were considered divine, but
they served under a Mandate of Heaven
only as long as their rule was just.

Confucianism and Taoism were important
contributions.

4. River Dynasties in China

China’s geography insured that it would
develop apart from other cultures. It was
isolated from other areas. The land lies
protected by a great ocean, huge deserts,
and high mountains.

The mountains did not protect China
totally. Many times during Chinese
history, people living to the north and
west of China invaded the land.

6. Family is central to Chinese society

Society was held together by a strong
belief in the importance of the group- all
the people- and not any single person.

The most important part of society was
the family, and children grew up learning
to respect their parents.

7.  The family played a central role in
Chinese religion, too. The Chinese
thought that family members who had
died could still influence the lives of
family members still alive.
 They gave respect to dead members of
the family, hoping to keep them happy.

8. China’s written language

The Chinese system of writing differed
from those other groups. Symbols stood
for ideas, not sounds. As a result, the
many different groups in China, who all
had a special language, could still
understand the same writing.

The written language had thousands of
symbols, however, which made it very
hard to learn. Only specially trained
people learned to read and write.

10. The Great Wall of China

Migratory invaders raided Chinese
settlements from the North.

Qin Shi Huangdi built the Great Wall to
protect from these invasions.

It stretched over 2000 miles. The towers
were around 40 feet tall.

Many people died constructing the wall,
and in battles that raged around it, that
the Great Wall is sometimes called the
world’s largest cemetery.

12. Chinese Contributions

Silk Road- facilitated trade and
contact between China and other
cultures as far away as Rome.

Civil service system

Paper

Porcelain

Silk- only the Chinese knew how to
make silk and it was in high demand
in Rome, India and other areas.

13. Silk Road

15. Confucius seeks to organize Chinese society

One of the most important of these thinkers
was Confucius. Born in 551 BC, he
became a well educated man who thought
deeply about the troubles of China.

He believed that a time of peace could
return if people would work at five basic
relationships: ruler and subject, father and
son, husband and wife, older and younger
brothers, and friend and friend.

The family relationships, he thought, were
the most important.

16. Confucian ideas lay the groundwork
for a civil service

He also tried to change government
for the better. Using his ideas, the
Chinese built a system in which
people could work in the government
only if they had a good education.

Over time, the ideas of Confucius
spread to other countries of East
Asia.

17. Confucianism

Belief that humans are good, not
bad

Respect for elders

Code of Politeness, still used in
Chinese society today

Emphasis on education

Ancestor worship

18. Taoists seek accord with nature.

Another thinker of this period was
Laozi, who was more interested in
putting people in touch with the
powerful forces of nature.

Nature follows a universal force called
the Dao, or “the Way”, said Laozi.

People do not follow this force, but
they can learn to do so.

20. Taoism

Humility

Simple life and inner
peace

Harmony with nature

21. Yin and Yang

22. Yin/ Yang

For practical advice in solving problems, people in
China could consult a book called I Ching. It was
based on the idea of Yin and Yang, two powers that
balanced together to make harmony in the universe,
representing opposites. By having these forces in
balance, a person could reach harmony.

Found in Confucianism and Taoism

Yang represented heaven, males, light, and action.
Yin stood for the earth, females, darkness, and
being passive.