History - Lesson 6

Question 1

What was the peasants life like in Ancient China?

Answer 1

• Revolved around farming
  - Spring = plough
  - Summer = care for crops
  - Autumn = harvest
  - Winter = repair tools (down time)
• Did not own land during Shang and Zhou
• By Han, most owned small land
• Landless peasants had to work the land of the landowner
  - Gave 30% to landowner
  - Gave 20% to Emperor

Question 2

What are some main points of working the land?

Answer 2

• Used hand tools
• Few people could afford either iron ploughs or oxen
• Used pulled carts to get to markets
• Only the wealthy could afford horses

Question 3

What are some main points of struggling to survive in Ancient China?

Answer 3

• During the Han dynasty, there were 20 periods of drought, flood or famine
• Drastic measures:
  - Killed babies they couldn’t feed
  - Sold children to slavery
  - Cannibalism (sometimes)
• The government increased the amount peasants paid in taxes
• During winter (rest period) all 23-36 male peasants worked for the government (in defence, irrigation and flood control)

Question 4

What are some main points of irrigation in Ancient China?

Answer 4

• Built a levee: build up a land to prevent flooding
  - Divided the river into two channels
  - Irrigation
  - Control excess water
• After 8 years
  - 20m wide channels through the mountain
  - Solved flood problems and provided water
  - Additional farmland