China
History
History
- earliest settlements recorded Huang He Basin and Shang
- one Chinese dynasty lasted at least 800 years
- 1675-1046 BC Shang dysnasty
- 7000 BC people started to farm in china
- 3000 BC people started using potters wheels
- Zhou rulers ruled China until 771 BC
- 221 BC King Qin took over Egypt
- Han dynasty lasted about 400 years
- 2700-2200 BC Old kingdom
- 2050-1750 BC Middle Kingdom
- 1550-1050 BC New Kingdom
Geography
- people settled along Yangtze and Yellow River
- Ancient China was protected by Himalayan Mountains
- Himalayan Mountains provided protection from invaders
Economy
- trade was a huge part of Ancient China
- unexplored sea routes connected China to other countries
- China traded with Korea, India, South West Asia, and Japan
- money in China was called cowrie shells
- cowrie shells increased results of trade
- main crops grown were wheat, rice, corn, and soy beans
Social Structure
- first class contained kings and nobles
- second class contained lords and warriors
- lowest class contained the peasants
- the king lead the government and gave land to the worlds
- the lords payed taxes to the king and warriors protected the land
- peasants farmed nobles land and worked for nobles and kings
Government
- government was ruled by dynasties
- government created tended to be autocratic and despotic
- confucianism developed in China
- had a monarchy government
Beliefs and Religion
- many religions shaped ancient china
- religion included Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism
- Taoism founded during Zhou dynasty
- Confucianism created in 551 BC
- Buddhism created in 563 BC
Advancements and Achievements
- China invented paper, silk, and the wheel barrow
- China invented gun powder
- gun powder was used in war and also to make fireworks
- Ancient China used the silk road to trade goods
Architecture
- great wall built between 246 and 209 BC
- wall extended 1,500 miles
- the forbidden city was a moated city
- believed roofs helped keep away evil spirits
- some temples can be up to 400 feet tall