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Readings and Questions Packet Asian River Civilizations

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The geography of what is now called mainland China affected what
was called classical China. As in the case of classical India, China was
separated from the rest of Asia by geographical factors such as great
distances, mountains, deserts, and rivers. China is typified by a vast
expanse of sprawling countryside and plateaus. In the north, the
Gobi Desert serves as an obstacle for invaders to traverse while the
southwestern region of China is protected by the Himalayan
Mountains. These factors kept China rather isolated during her
classical period and enabled her to evolve into a strong empire with relatively little contact by outsiders.

Agree or Disagree: Geography played a very important role in protecting China from
invaders.
Proof #1

Proof #2




SHANG CHINA:
Between 1750 and 1500 B.C.E., a group of nomadic invaders swept into the Huang He River Valley and subjugated
its inhabitants. These rulers, the Shang, established the first
dynastic empire in China. They increased their rule over
their subjects by introducing simple irrigation and
instituting flood control as a way of harnessing the
Yellow Rivers volatile behavior. Like King Menes of
Egypt, Shang rulers created an imperial bureaucracy
to help their government run efficiently and
smoothly. They protected their borders
through the use of war chariots, as the Indo-
Aryans did, and by utilizing bronze weaponry.
The Shang had religious beliefs based on a mixture
of animism (belief that spirits inhabit everything)
and ancestor worship. As other great civilizations created a form of writing, so too did the Chinese.
Their earliest forms of written language included pictographs and evolved into more elaborate
ideographs (symbols that represent ideas). The epitome (best example) of Chinese written language is the beautifully
elaborate art of calligraphy. By the 1100s B.C.E., the Shang were continuously fighting their neighbors. A smaller satellite
province of the Shang Empire, Zhou, organized alliances with other bands of people and rose to overthrow the Shang. The
Zhou were largely successful because they persuaded people into believing that the Shang had become corrupt and were inept
(unable) in their attempts to create an effective government.
Agree or Disagree: The only contribution made by the Shang Dynasty was writing.
Proof #1

Proof #2









Chinese Dynasties Continued

ZHOU CHINA:
Around 1050 B.C.E., the Zhou (JOH) overthrew the Shang and
established themselves as the rulers of China. Ruling from 1050-
256 B.C.E., they were the longest ruling dynasty of classical China.
To their discredit (loss or lack of reputation), they did not create a
strong centralized government typical to most empires. Instead,
they gave control of each individual province within the empire to
family members in their exchange for monetary tribute and military
service. A lack of strong centralized leadership would eventually
lead to the downfall of the Zhou. As well as being a dynasty, Zhou
rulers ruled according to the Mandate of Heaven. This divine
form of rule claims that the god of heaven personally appointed
each ruler. In turn, Chinese rulers were considered divine (as in
Egypt) and served under the mandate as long as they ruled justly. In
the 700s, the Zhou dynasty spiraled into a steady decline resulting
from internal fighting between local leaders, attack by outsiders, and the incompetence (unfitness) and poor quality of Zhou
rulers. This decline continued until the 400s B.C. when a series of Warring States competed for control over the
dramatically weakened Zhou government. The victor in this power struggle, the Qin (chin), emerged victorious in 221 B.C.

Agree or Disagree: The Zhous weak government had a negative impact on the dynasty.
Proof #1

Proof #2









TAOISM (DAOISM):
Taoism was created by the prophet Laozi (Lowd-zoo). His guiding principle was that the Dao (the way) was a force that
governed the universe and all of nature. He encouraged people to withdraw from the world and to contemplate nature in an
attempt to understand Dao and to live with it in harmony. In order to do this, Laozi claimed it was necessary for one to
avoid material wealth and power while striving to:
1. show humbleness, quietness, and thoughtfulness
2. lead a simple life
3. find inner peace and
4. live in harmony with nature.

Rather than focus on political discussion, Laozi shunned politics. His entire teachings are found in the Dao De Jing.


Agree or Disagree: If Taoism were adopted by everyone, there would be fewer wars.
Proof #1

Proof #2







Peak




QIN (Chin) CHINA:
In 221 B.C. the Qin rose to power through sheer military might. Their leader, Cheng took the title of Shih Huang Ti which
translated into, First Emperor. The modern day nation of China received its name from it s new rulers the Qin. The Qin
were harsh rulers. They established an autocracy, a form of government in which the ruler holds absolute authority and
based their rule on the political principles of Legalism. Legalism was the political belief that emerged, which stated that peace
and prosperity were only achieved with the threat of severe punishment if one disobeyed the established laws. Though the
Qin were harsh rulers, they ran an effective government and standardized the currency of the empire, as well as the system of
weights and measures. To secure its northern borders from nomadic invasions (especially the Mongols) the Qin instituted a
forced labor system to construct what evolved into the Great Wall of China. This wall was built for Chinas protection as a
line of defense against invasions. The results of this massive public works project were ultimately more harmful than
beneficial. Slave labor was used to build the wall. While it temporarily prevented invaders easy access (though it ultimately
failed because the Mongol Horde simply went around), its slave labor methodology (system of principles and/or rules)
resulted in growing discontent (dissatisfaction) of the lower classes. A Shang general, Liu Bang eventually rallied the
discontented masses under his leadership and overthrew the Qin rulers. He immediately established the Han Dynasty,
proclaiming himself to be the King of Han.
Agree or Disagree: Harsh punishments were rarely used during the Qin Rule.
Proof:



Agree or Disagree: The Great Wall of China had a negative impact on the people.
Proof:


HAN CHINA:
The Han rulers were more moderate than their Qin
predecessors. Han rulers used a mixture of Qin Legalist
ideals and Confucian teachings to rule their empire. Many
historians believed that this balance between harsh yet just
and virtuous rule allowed the Han to rule as long as they
did. Their 400-year rule witnessed some of the greatest
contributions to Chinese society. One of their most
significant contributions to Chinese civilization was that
of the civil service. The civil service was based on Qin
ideas and was responsible for the governance and
functioning of the empire. Previously civil service jobs
were based on family connections, not merit. This
practice of issuing important jobs and positions to family
members is called nepotism. The Han changed the Qin
policy of nepotism into one that required the taking of
rigorous government exams, which indicated who was fit or unfit for the appointed duties. An imperial university was
established to train prospective government officials. Also, an official curriculum was followed to ensure that candidates
were properly trained. Students learned practices and policies by reading the Five Classics in conjunction with the Confucian
Analects. These Five Classics served to indoctrinate students to government policy and ceremonies, as well as pertinent
history, and great Chinese literature. Another significant advancement under the Han was the invention of paper. Paper and
other Chinese commodities such as porcelain and silk were traded along the Silk Road (trade route connecting China to the
Mediterranean Basin). The Silk Road facilitated trade between the two continents (Asia & Europe). Eventually Han rule
ended in 220 A.D. with the death of the last Han emperor and a series of debilitating nomadic invasions.
Agree or Disagree: The Han made major contributions to Chinese society.
Proof:





Of
Chinese contributions to civilization, the philosophies of Confucianism and Taoism were among the most noted. These
philosophies (not religions) served to explain economic, political, and social change that affected peoples everyday lives.


CONFUCIANISM:
Confucius was a philosopher who lived from 551 B.C.-479 B.C. during the Zhou dynasty. His ideas and teachings were
compiled in the text called, Analects. Confucius main goal was to end the political disorder of the Zhou dynasty. He also
encouraged strong, positive behavior of leaders. He taught that leaders could attain this goal by 1) accepting their social role
and by performing their duties and 2) behaving virtuously (correctly towards others). Confucianism formed the social order
in China because it taught and endorsed:
1. that all humans are good, not bad
2. respect for elders
3. a code of politeness still used in Chinese society today
4. an emphasis on education and
5. ancestor worship

Agree or Disagree: If Confucianism were adopted by everyone, rudeness and disrespect
would not exist.
Proof:

















Yin-yang-the representation of opposites in Confucianism and Daoism
Background Information: The force known as yin is female, dark, and passive.
The opposite force, yang, is male, bright, and active. Yin and Yang are not in
conflict with each other, but rather depend on each other.
Significance: This concept led to the belief that balance is needed in human affairs.
(No extremes of either side)
HUANG HE RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATION
c. 1500 B.C.E. (B.C.) - 220 C.E. (A.D.)

GEOGRAPHY OF CHINA:
- Chinese civilization began on the __________________________ (_______________________) River system.
- Comparable to the subcontinent of __________________________.
Geographically ___________________ from the rest of Asia
_________________________ Mountains in the southwest dividing China from ___________________.

SHANG DYNASTY (c.1557 B.C.E.-1027 B.C.E.):
- The ______________, a group of ______________ invaders, invaded China from the ______________________.
- Introduced _____________________________ and ___________________________________.
- Created an __________________________________________________________________ as did King Menes.
- Dynasty/Dynastic Succession = _________________________________________________________________________________.
- Religious beliefs = combination of _______________________ and _________________________________.
- Forms of writing = ________________________, ___________________________, and _______________________.
- Overthrown by the province of ____________________.

ZHOU (JOH) DYNASTY (c. 1027 B.C.E.-221 B.C.E.):
- _________________________ ruling dynasty of China.
- Did not create a strong _______________________________________________________________.
- Provincial control was given to ______________________ in exchange for __________________________________.
- Mandate of Heaven= ________________________________________________________________________________________.
- Chinese rulers considered _______________________________ (godly) just as in ancient ______________________.
- Zhou Dynasty crumbles due to 1)__________________________________, 2)__________________________________________,
and 3)___________________________________________.
- The ________________________________ competed for control of China.
- The _________ emerged as the victor and established their own empire.

QIN (CHIN) DYNASTY (c. 221 B.C.E.-206 B.C.E.):
- Leader = ________________________(_____________________________________) which means ________________________.
- Established an ___________________: ___________________________________________________________________________.
- Based their rule on ________________________: __________________________________________________________________.
- As Cyrus the Great did, the Qin ran an ________________________________, ____________________ the currency of the
empire, as well as the system of _______________________ and ______________________________.
- Built the __________________________________. PURPOSE: _______________________________________________________.
- Shang general, _____________________overthrew the Qin rulers.

HAN DYNASTY (c. 206 B.C.E. 220 C.E.):
- Used a mixture of _______________________ and __________________________ ideals to rule.
- Civil Service: ________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Previously based on _____________________________, not ______________ (_________________________).
Improved quality of candidates by requiring ______________________.
Established an imperial _______________________ to train candidates.
Students study The _______________________________ and Confucius ___________________________.
- PURPOSE: __________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________.
- Invention of ______________________.
- Silk Road = _________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Products traded: _______________________, ___________________________, and ___________________________.
- Han dynasty crumbles due to ____________________________________________________.

CONFUCIANISM:
- SIGNIFICANCE: Formed the ______________________________ in ___________________.

TAOISM (DAOISM):
- SIGNIFICANCE: Formed Chinese ___________________________ and __________________________________.

HUANG HE RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATION
1500 B.C.E. (B.C.)-220 C.E. (A.D.)

GEOGRAPHY OF CHINA:
- Chinese civilization began on the Huang He (Yellow) River system.
- Comparable to the subcontinent of India.
Geographically isolated from the rest of Asia
Himalayan Mountains in the southwest dividing China from India.

SHANG DYNASTY (c.1557 B.C.E.-1027 B.C.E.):
- The Shang a group of nomadic invaders, invaded China from the north.
- Introduced irrigation and flood control.
- Created an imperial bureaucracy as did King Menes of Egypt.
- Dynasty/Dynastic Succession = rule is kept within the royal family.
- Religious beliefs = combination of animism and ancestor worship.
- Forms of writing = pictographs, ideographs, and calligraphy.
- Overthrown by the province of Zhou.

ZHOU (JOH) DYNASTY (c. 1027 B.C.E.-221 B.C.E.):
- Longest ruling dynasty of China.
- Did not create a strong centralized government.
- Provincial control was given to family members in exchange for monetary tribute and military service.
- Mandate of Heaven= god of heaven personally appointed ruler as long as rule was just.
- Chinese rulers considered divine (godly) just as in ancient Egypt.
- Zhou Dynasty crumbles due to 1) internal fighting, 2) attack by outsiders, and 3) incompetent rulers.
- The Warring States competed for control of China.
- The Qin emerged as the victor and established their own empire.

QIN (CHIN) DYNASTY (c. 221 B.C.E.-206 B.C.E.):
- Leader = Cheng (Shih Huang Ti) which means First Emperor.
- Established an autocracy: form of government in which the ruler holds absolute authority.
- Based their rule on Legalism: political belief in which peace & prosperity are achieved by threat of severe punishment
if one disobeys the laws.
- As Cyrus the Great did, the Qin ran an effective government, standardized the currency of the empire, as well as the
system of weights and measures.
- Built the Great Wall of China. PURPOSE: prevent invasions by nomadic peoples.
- Shang general, Liu Bang overthrew the Qin rulers.

HAN DYNASTY (c. 206 B.C.E. 220 C.E.):
- Used a mixture of Legalism and Confucius ideals to rule.
- Civil Service: responsible for the governance and functioning of the empire.
Previously based on family connections, not merit (Nepotism).
Improved quality of candidates by requiring exams.
Established an imperial university to train candidates.
Students study The Five Classics and Confucius Analects.
- PURPOSE: indoctrinate students to government policy and ceremonies, history, and literature.
- Invention of paper.
- Silk Road = trade route that connected China to Europe/Mediterranean Basin.
Products traded: paper, porcelain, and silk.
- Han dynasty crumbles due to nomadic invasions.

CONFUCIANISM:
- SIGNIFICANCE: Formed the social order in China.

TAOISM (DAOISM):
- SIGNIFICANCE: Formed Chinese culture and values.

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