Ancient China Flashcards
Main 2 rivers in China
The Huang He (Yellow River) and the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River)
Why is China isolated?
There are the Himalayas in the South, deserts in the North, and the ocean in the East
Name two deserts
The Gobi Desert and the Taklimakan Desert
Two bodies of water
The South China Sea, the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the Sea of Japan
Characteristics of Outer China
Cold, rocky mountains, dry deserts, and little water/vegetation
Characteristics of Inner China
Fertile soil, plains, grassland, and lots of rivers
First dynasty of China
Shang dynasty
What did archaeologists find in Anyang?
Palace, temple, houses, workshops, tombs
Why did they believe in human sacrifices?
Kings had to be served in the afterlife
Who led Shang government?
A powerful king
What were prisoners of war used for?
Laborers and human sacrifices
What tool made armies strong?
Bronze weapons
What were the social classes?
King and family, nobles, artisans, traders, farmers slaves
What was religion centered on?
Ancestor worship
What are oracle bones?
Used to seek ancestor’s advice by reading the cracks in the shells. They were made of turtle shells or the shoulder blade of a cow
Two examples of artwork
Bronze vessels, jade trinkets, and pottery
What dynasty took over after the Shang?
Zhou dynasty
Define Mandate of Heaven
a power or law believed to be granted by the heavens
Define Feudalism
A system of government based on landowners and tenants
Define The Warring States Period
When small states joined together to fight for power over 250 years
Define Confucianism
A Chinese philosophy that emphasizes proper behavior
What are the Analects?
A book that holds Confucius’s sayings
What are the main teachings of Confucianism?
Know your position in the government, be obedient, ceremonies are important
What are the main teachings of Daoism?
People should have balance in their life, and they shouldn’t feel self important, live with the way of nature,
What is another name for Daoism?
Taoism
Define Yin and Yang
Opposing forces of nature
What are the main teachings of Legalism?
People are naturally selfish, and strict rules are necessary in order for a strong government
Why was Legalism adopted?
Qin rulers wanted a strong government and organized society
First emperor of China
Emperor Qin
How did Qin conquer other states?
Military might, spies, bribery, alliances
What philosophy did Qin believe in?
Legalism
How did he divide China into sections?
36
Define standardizing the culture
Making the culture the same
3 ways culture was standardized
Weight, measurement, currency, writing system
Why was Great Wall built
To protect empire from invaders
How long did it take to build Wall, and what were work conditions?
10 yrs, mountains, deserts, swampland, quicksand, ranging temperatures
What did Qin do to Confucianism followers?
He executed them
What artifacts were found in Qin’s tomb?
Terra-cotta army, life size sculptures of warriors and animals, tools, jewels, rare objects, bronze sculpture