Ancient China

Beginnings of Civilization People began farming

in China as early as

7000 B.C.

Civilizations

flourished along the

Chang Ziang (Yangzi)

and Huang He

(Yellow) Rivers.

Achievements of the Dynasties

(2000 B.C. – 1911AD)

Shang Dynasty

First Chinese dynasty

Developed China’s first

writing system and a

calendar

Bronze containers &

armor, jade weapons

Zhou Dynasty

Longest ruling dynasty

Mandate of Heaven – idea that

heaven chose China’s ruler and gave

him power

Qin Dynasty

Emperor Shi Huangdi

System of laws that applied to all

Uniform systems of money and writing

Network of roads and canals – travel and trade

Great Wall to keep out invaders

Terra Cotta Army – discovered in 1974

Han Dynasty Paper

Sundial – tells time with position of shadows

Seismograph – measures strength of earthquakes

Acupuncture – inserting needles at specific points to relieve pain

Magnetic compass

Silk Road

Sui Dynasty

Grand Canal – Connected northern

and southern China

Tang & Song Dynasties

Only female Chinese ruler – Empress Wu (Tang)

Woodblock printing & movable type

Porcelain – thin, beautiful type of pottery

Gunpowder – fireworks and signals

Paper money

Mongol Empire

Mongols from North invaded

Led by Genghis Khan

Followed by grandson Kublai Khan

Revival In the 1980s by Chaka Khan

Mongol Empire cont.

Kublai Khan declared himself emperor

of China – beginning of Yuan dynasty

First time China was entirely under

foreign control

Ming Dynasty Stable period of rule

after fall of Mongols

Built Forbidden City –

palace complex with

residences, temples, and

government buildings –

commoners not allowed

Ming Dynasty cont.

Restoration of Great Wall of China

Fiercely protected government power

Government censors

In response to previous Mongol rule, the Ming instituted isolationism.

Isolationism

Policy of avoiding contact with other

countries

Prevented technological progress to

keep up with rest of world…opps!!!!