Chapter 5 - Ancient China Flashcards
What were some natural barriers of China?
Mountains, (Himalayas) Plateaus, oceans, deserts
How fast did China develop?
Because of it’s natural barriers and geographic location, China developed more slowly than other nations
Why is the Huang He called the Yellow River?
It has a yellow tint from it’s fertile yellow soil called loess
What is the nickname of the Huang He river and why is it called that?
Called “The river of sorrows” because the excess soil caused destructive flooding.
What were two major crops of Ancient China?
Wheat and rice
What are the main contributions of the Shang Dynasty?
Writing and bronze
What is animism?
The belief that everything has a soul or spirit
What were oracle bones?
When people communicated with spirits or ancestor by inscribing questions onto the bones of dead animals.
What is a dynasty?
Ruled by a king or emperor that comes from a continuous family
What is the most important contribution of the Zhou dynasty?
The use of iron
What was the Mandate of Heaven?
An ancient Chinese philosophical concept that determines if an emperor is virtuous enough to rule. It gave rulers a moral obligation to rule wisely, because if they did not, they would lose the right to rule.
Who founded the Qin dynasty?
Shi Huangdi, a harsh ruler who established an autocracy in which he had total control. Had a strong army and ruled using legalism.
What is legalism?
a political philosophy focusing on harsh laws and untrustworthiness of people
Who ruled using legalism?
The first Qin emperor, Shi Huangdi
Which dynasty lasted for the shortest amount of time?
Qin
Which dynasty lasted for the longest amount of time?
Han
What are the main contributions of the Qin dynasty?
Establishing a strong central government and a uniform system of writing and measures
What are the main contributions of the Han dynasty?
Paper and porcelain, establishment of the Silk Road
Who was Wu Di?
Longest ruling Han emperor who:
- established a civil service system
- began an economic policy called leveling
- established the Pax Sinica and helped expand trade
What is leveling?
When the government bought surplus commodities when prices fell and sold them when prices rose.
What is the Civil Service system?
Administers day-to-day business of government.
What was the Pax Sinica?
A time in which trade flourished peacefully along the Silk Road
Who founded the Han dynasty?
Lui Bang
Who was Confucius?
A famous and well-respected teacher, philosopher, and political theorist?
