THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA
Sections of this 21 Km wall was begun as early as the 5th Century BC and finished in the 16th Century AD.
We know that the history of Chinese empire has not been expansive like other cultures and in this sense is similar to India. Geographically it is also isolated by mountains and the sea.
This shows the internal power stuggles between the many Chinese Dynasties
CHINA IS THE MOST POPULATED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD
1.4 BILLION PEOPLE 91% HAN CHINESE
THE DYNASTIES OF CHINA
THE SHANG DYNASTY
Began 176O BC - this is early Bronze Age China - when cultures began to use metals - copper + tin makes bronze
The SHANG DYNASTY also invented the first Chinese writing system (12OO BC) independent from the Summerians in Mesopotamia 3OOO yrs BC
Not the same but similar to Egyptian HIEROGLYPICS
- 6OO years later
THE ZHOU DYNASTY
Who were neighbors to the SHANG culture but defeated them and ruled for the next 1OOO years - The Chinese believed that rulers had a MANDATE FROM HEAVEN or who were appointed by their heavenly destiny.
FAMILY is very important in Chinese Society - parents were very respected and especially wise old men who became the centre of authority in villages. Women unfortunately had lower status than men.
CONFUCIUS the wise Chinese Philospher and Teacher
Born in 551 BC (around the same time as the Greek Philosophers)
Confusius like Socrates did not write anything down instead his students recorded his teachings - which became CONFUCIANISM
The goal of Confucianism was to bring law and order to society. He also realised the importance of respect and honor. One of his principle teachings was :
'DO NOT DO TO OTHERS, WHAT YOU WOULD NOT WANT DONE TO YOU'
He also influenced leaders to adopt a MERITOCRACY of learning to enter positions of government by passing examinations.
Another great influential philosopher at this time was
LAO TZU
Inspite of these peaceful philosophers future Dynasties would wage war inside China.
The Chinese developed many beautiful arts like CALIGRAPHY along with warfare.
A SCENE FROM THE MOVIE 'HERO'
THE QIN DYNASTY
By 221 BC the country eventually became united China under the Qin Dynasty with China's first Emperor 'Zheng of Qin'
Now that the country is united Emperor Zheng strengthened the Empire and began to extend the great wall of China.
He also divided the country into districts governed by the Emperors trusted officials.
He made economic progress including a common currency , a legal system and improved Chinese writing and medicine.
But he outlawed the teachings of Confuscius and other scholars wanting the people to be loyal to the government by adhering to a system of 'legalism' - a stricked practice of laws.
The Emperors eventual death in 2O1 BC brought about a time of civil chaos eventually after 4 years the HAN DYNASTY came to power
8OOO SOLDIERS 52O HORSES WERE BURIED WITH THE EMPEROR FOR HIS AFTER LIFE - SIMILAR PRACTICE IN ANCIENT
THE HAN DYSNASTY
This was a 4OO year period of stable government in China. At this time education was encouraged and Confusianism was brought back into society.
After this long period of stability the Empire again began to weaken and many new war lords began to seize power in the country. China began to break up into a number of separate kingdoms.
In 22O AD the WEI DYNASTY emerged in the northern part of China and ruled for a short time along side the kingdoms in the south.
From this time on many DYNASTIES rose and fell keeping China as one country to varying degrees of success.
The Main Chinese Dynasties
SUI DYNASTY 581 - 618
TANG DYNASTY 618 - 9O7
MING DYNASTY 1368 - 1644
QING DYNASTY 1644 - 1911
CHINESE DEVELOPMENTS & PROGRESS
One means of connecting with the West (and other parts of Asia) and trading goods was the famous 6,4OOkm SILK ROAD
Chinese SILK was the main commodity exported to the West
Marco Polo a famous traveller and trader from Venice would eventually find his way to China heading East from Venice in 1266AD along this route
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