Ancient Chinese Civilization: Dynasties of China: Xia Dynasty - Qing Dynasty

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Ancient Chinese

Civilization
Dynasties of China: Xia Dynasty – Qing Dynasty
Xia Dynasty (2,100 BC - 1,600 BC)
• Xia dynasty is considered to be the first dynasty in ancient China
which lasted for almost 500 years
• This dynasty was set up by Yu the great under the system of choosing
emperors based on their abilities
• Such a system was called Abdication system
• It is thought that most of the Xia people probably inhabited the
western area of Henan Province and southern Shanxi Province.
Xia Dynasty (2,100 BC - 1,600 BC)
Political History
• It is Yu the Great who first set up the dynasty under the Abdication
System (choosing the leader according to their ability). After he died,
his son Qi broke up this system and made himself the Xia emperor.
From that time onwards, the Abdication System gave way to the
Hereditary System.
• Xia ended under the reign of Jie, a very notorious tyrannical emperor
in Chinese history. After he succeeded to the throne, he lived an
extravagant life day and night without any thought for his country or
its people.
Xia Dynasty (2,100 BC - 1,600 BC)
• Yu the Great 2200 – 2101 BC

• Qi

2146 BC – 2117 BC
• Jie 1728 – 1675 BCE
Xia Dynasty (2,100 BC - 1,600 BC)
Economy and Crafts
• During this dynasty, many achievements were made. People lived mainly through
agriculture using tools made of stone or bone.
• The Jade ware at that time was quite delicate and bronze vessels were well
smelted.

Bronze Jue (wine vessel)


Xia Dynasty (2,100 BC - 1,600 BC)
Contribution of Xia Dynasty
• Chinese Lunar Calendar was created
• Pottery of bronze was used and also developed
• Wine was made
• Agricultural progressed
• Made the first writing
Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC)
• Shang dynasty lasted for around 600 years and was led by 30
different emperors
• It is also called the Yin dynasty
• King Tang was the founder of this dynasty
• Tang brought in lot many new changes with the help of his
two ministers.
Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC)
Political History
• Drawing from the 'lessons' of Jie, Tang implemented a series of
innovative measures with the help of his two ministers.
• He is best known for abolishing the persecution and oppression of the
people carried out by Jie, and for governing his people with
benevolence and compassion.
• Ended at the hands of Zhou at he battle of Muye in 1045 BC.
Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC)
• King Tang

• Zhou
Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC)
Culture and Arts
• In the field of music, there was also great progress. The
improvements in the bronze casting techniques allowed for delicate
musical instruments to be made.
• In Yin Xu (Yin Yuins) in Xiao Tun Village of Anyang City, archeologists
discovered musical instruments of the Shang Dynasty including: Xun
(Ocarina made of baked clay), drums, and copper cymbals.
Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC)
They divided their government into little bits controlled by loyal
governors (Nobles appointed by the king to preform certain duties &
land lords)
Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC)
Advancements
• They farmed millet, wheat, barley, & rice
• They grew silkworms, dogs, pigs, & sheep
• They had accomplished metal metal workers & craftsmen (bronze
containers for cooking & religious ceremonies, axes, knives, jade
ornaments
• Military developed bronze body armor, powerful bows, & war
chariots
• Astrologers created a calendar based on the cycles of the moon
Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC)
The legend of silk
Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC)
Chinese writing system
• More than 2,000 symbols to express words or ideas
• Today’s Chinese symbols are still based on the Shang Dynasty symbols
• Archeologist have found these symbols on cattle bones and turtle
shells
Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC)
Religion
• Polytheistic
• Top god was Shang Ti- the Founder of the Shang Dynasty
• Ancestor worship began in this period, as did the sacrifices to the
gods
• When Kings died, thousands of slaves were executed to serve him in
the afterlife.
• The kings tomb would be filled with objects and food that he would
need in the afterlife- like Egyptians.
Zhou/Chou Dynasty (1046 - 256 BC)
• The founder of this dynasty was Wuwang
• This dynasty ruled for the longest period of over
800 years under the rule of 37 different
emperors.
• The Chou dynasty is classified into two periods
i.e. the Western Chou and the Eastern Chou.
Zhou/Chou Dynasty (1046 - 256 BC)
Western Zhou Dynasty
• Established by King Wu
• This dynasty included the reigns of 13 emperors
Eastern Zhou Dynasty
• Xuan Jiu, the son of King You, established the dynasty in 770 BC
• Over 25 emperors have reigned over the Eastern Zhou Dynasty,
lasting 515 years in all.

• Spring and Autumn Period


• Warring States Period
Zhou/Chou Dynasty (1046 - 256 BC)
“Kung Fu-Tzu”or Confucius
• Believed society should be like a family
with everyone having roles &
responsibilities
• Wanted a return to ethics- moral values
of the ancients
• Lords ignored Confucius
• Confucius was a traveling teacher with great
respect, sharing his ideas with all
• After Confucius’ death- his students wrote down his proverbs or
Analects.
Zhou/Chou Dynasty (1046 - 256 BC)
Mandate of Heaven
• After the Zhou overtook the Shang Dynasty- they had to get the
people to accept them as the new kings.
• They claimed that heaven granted the emperors the right to rule
based on their ability to govern well and fairly.
• The Son of Heaven gives the right to a just ruler
• The overthrow of a ruler meant he had lost the Mandate of Heaven
because he was no longer worthy of it.
Zhou/Chou Dynasty (1046 - 256 BC)
Qin/Chin Dynasty (221 BC-207 B.C.)
• The dynasty ruled over China only for 15 years but in spite of such a
short duration, it played an important role in Chinese history.
• Emperor Qin in order to strengthen the unity of the nation and to
maintain the Qin Dynasty he carried out many reforms in politics,
economy, military affairs, and culture.
• Legalism - Rose to power and banned all other philosophies as a
corrupting influence.
Qin/Chin Dynasty (221 BC-207 B.C.)
Qin Shi Huangdi
• The First Emperor of China
• United China
• Very Powerful and Cruel
• Became King at age 13
• Rejected Confucius teachings
Qin/Chin Dynasty (221 BC-207 B.C.)
Accomplishments under Qin
• Standardization of money, weights, measurements.
• universally agreed upon set of guidelines
• Helped trade between Regions
• Better Communication
Qin/Chin Dynasty (221 BC-207 B.C.)
• For defense, built first Great Wall (Ming built other part later), extending 3000+
miles. Largest construction project in human history.
• Adopted Legalism: only way to achieve order was to pass strict laws and impose
harsh punishments.
• Ordered national census, standardized currency, weights measurements, laws,
and unified written script throughout the realm.
• Banned Confucianism, burned books. Attacks on intellectuals and high taxes
made him fiercely unpopular.
Han Dynasty (25 AD – 220 AD)
After Shi Huangdi’s death, massive peasant revolts broke out. Two
peasants led a revolt against Qin oppression, toppling the dynasty,
giving rise to the Han dynasty.
Lasted for 400+ years. Most effective, & most enduring bureaucracy in
the preindustrial world.
Han Dynasty (25 AD – 220 AD)
• Established by Liu Bang/Pang
• the Han dynasty is divided into two periods:
the Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE)
and the Eastern Han (25–220 CE)

• Emperor Wudi
• was the seventh emperor of the Han Dynasty of China
• During his reign, between about 130 and 110 BC
the Han ruling court and the army started winning
major battles, and they conquered
Xiongnu territory and greatly expanded the
empire's territory in the north and west.
Han Dynasty (25 AD – 220 AD)
Silkroad
The Silk Road or Silk Route was an ancient network of trade routes that
for centuries were central to cultural interaction through regions of the
Asian continent connecting the West and East from China to the
Mediterranean Sea.
Han Dynasty (25 AD – 220 AD)
The Han Dynasty was a period of peace and prosperity as many
effective measures were taken by the emperors during their rule.
Han Dynasty (25 AD – 220 AD)
Bronze Lamp

Striding Dragon

Jade pi-hsieh

Green-Glazed Dog

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