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China: An Introduction

 Dragon: symbol of good luck; believed to be gods that brought rain and good harvests; rivers were described as dragons – limbs were smaller streams, body was main river, mouth was the delta.

 Terrace Farming: practice of carving “shelves” into hillsides on which crops could be grown on “terraces” 名 词     Ancient China was isolated by mountains, seas, and deserts North China Plain and its highlands were places where fertile soil existed; deposited by Huang River Civilization developed along rivers Ancients didn’t know of rest of world and called themselves “Middle Kingdom ”

China: Introduction

  Loess (LOH es) is yellow brown soil that the Yellow River deposits when it floods – very fertile Millet – small round grain that is a main part of Chinese diet 名 词     

HUANG RIVER

Called Yellow River 2 nd longest in China Seasonal floods brought fertile soil, but also could do harm Yellow River often called “China’s Sorrow” due to annual floods

China: Introduction

 Dikes – protective walls built to hold back flood waters    Yellow River floods could drown thousands; sometimes created whole new river course People built dikes and later dams to control flood water Farming began in Huang River Valley as early as 5000 BCE 名 词

China: Introduction

 Bronze – ancient metal that was mix of copper and tin 名 词      

SHANG DYNASTY

First ruling dynasty Built first cities – 1760 BCE Worked in bronze Created writing system with its own alphabet Ruled for approximately 600 years

China: Introduction

  Mandate – a law or order; something that is required Extended Family – Closely related people – parents, grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.

   Mandate of Heaven: belief that dynasties came to power because it was their destiny – a mandate Allowed dynasties to retain power for many years Gave fathers authority over families 名 词

China: Introduction

    Patriarch – male who is leader of a group, usually a family Patriarchal – a family or group that is ruled by a male Matriarch – female who is leader of a group, usually a family Matriarchal – a family or group that is ruled by a female      FOCUS ON FAMILY Extended Family was the center of life for Ancient Chinese Thought to be more important than country or individual Households were made up of as extended families and were patriarchal Status within family was based on gender and age 名 词

China: Introduction

名 词     Oldest male was head of family and had absolute authority Women had lower status than men Women were expected to follow “three obediences”: obey fathers; husbands; oldest sons Chinese women were expected to be moral, modest, speak properly, and have domestic skills

China: Introduction

名 词    Family Names China was first culture to have two names for its people – a family name (“last”) and a given name (“first”) Put family name first so Abe Lincoln would be called “Lincoln Abe” in China

China: Confucius

   Philosophy – system of beliefs or values that people follow Philosopher – someone who studies or creates a certain philosophy and shares ideas about it QUESTION: How would a “philosophy” be different than a “religion”?

名 词      Confucius – early Chinese teacher and philosopher (Kong Fu Zi) Born 551 BCE to noble but poor family Self-taught Decided to be a teacher Thought of as China’s first professional teacher

China: Confucius

名 词     Wanted to bring order to society Believed that by teaching people to behave properly, peace and order would result Felt everyone should be treated with respect “Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself.”

China: Chapter 5

名 词    His teachings have come to be called “CONFUCIANISM” A philosophy, not religion – ideas for improving behavior and society; most widely studied in China Confucianism is the most widely studied Chinese philosophy

China: Introduction

名 词  Civil Service – a group of people who do the work of the government    Confucius’ teaching had impact on Chinese government Basic part of training for all civil servants People could advance based on merit – how well they did their jobs, or how qualified they were

China: Chapter 5

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China: Chapter 5

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China: Chapter 5

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China: Chapter 5

 名 词

China: Chapter 5

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