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!!!!