Key
Pink – Good information, great for studying
Red – Critical information, most likely on the test
Economy
- Silk Road was the main trade route for China
- China wanted to be isolated, so they wouldn’t start conflict or trouble
- But they HAD to trade in order to get something out of their empire so they could continue, so the main thing they had in the Silk road, was of course, silk
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- Made paper by mixing bamboo with water
- First people to use it for writing
- Used it for making paper money
- Wrote symbols, not letters or numbers like our system
- The Qin dynasty was the dynasty that created paper
- Made everyone in China use the same system of writing
- They don’t write from left to right like us, they write from top to bottom
- China didn’t want to be involved with the rest of the world, but they needed money and taxes were already high
- They later opened the Silk road which allowed chinese ideas and inventions to spread
- Buddhism came to China from India due to this trade
Technology
Made compasses, paper, paper money, all of the things in the pop quiz
- Many forms existed originally on, but the Qin dynasty made everyone use the same form
- The letters began as pictures but were simplified over time
- Writing goes up and down
- The compass allowed the chinese to travel much more efficiently than other groups
- It allowed them to explore the world more than any other nation at the time
- Gunpowder: Invented by accident when the Chinese were looking for a potion to live forever. It was used more for fireworks than weapons at first
- Later used to fire rocket-powered poison error
Geography
- Holds the himalayan mountains
- Very isolated, protected by mountains. Some sections weren’t protected, so they decided to build the great wall of china, which was never finished
- The majority of China is made up of farmland
- 2 major rivers: The Huang, and the Chang
- 90% of the world’s rice comes from China
- Has the Gobi desert, except of being filled with sand, it is filled with rocks
- Big trade route running through it, it is known as the Silk Road
Buddhism
Buddhism began in India, but mainly Nepal. It had traveled on what is known as the Silk Road, which was a major trade route in China at the time. It appealed mostly to poor people, since their lives were pretty terrible. It offered them relief from their suffering and didn’t require all the rules and education of Confucianism, another religion in China. Buddhism’s whole reason of existence was to out-rule unhappiness. Desire is the root of unhappiness. Suffering is a normal part of life, and all life must be respected. Respect the rights of other people.
Taoism
Philosophy of Taoism states that nature is the best example of how to live- showing us to avoid conflict and desire. It is all about making life simple and easy. It can help avoid conflict and desires of all kinds. Desires are also to be avoided, so you can be happy. It simply teaches that viewing things properly will make you happier.
Confucianism
Philosophy founded by a great thinker who studied and had great wisdom. It was built around getting people to behave properly. It has been around in China for thousands of years. Teaches respect for family, elders and ancestors. Logic and learning are very important to Confucianism, and you could become better by studying or by serving the government.
Ancestor of Worship
This is part of most Chinese philosophies. Claims that the spirit of the dead stayed with a family to look after them. It is a part of Confucius’ command to honor ones family.
Summary
Taoism – Nature is the best way to live, it offers peace and relaxation. No stress and it helps make life simple and easy. It avoids desire and conflict.
Confucianism – Built to get people to behave positively. It teaches people to respect their family, and take care of their elders. It also focuses on logic and education, such as studying and helping the government.
Buddhism – Focused on ending suffering and building up happiness. It gave relief and didn’t require the education of Confucianism.
DYNASTY
China was divided into warring states that spoke the same but wrote differently.
Qin Dynasty
Under the rule of Shi HuangDi they united China. It brought peace and the great wall of China. But they used the same:
- Writing
- Weights
- Money
- Laws
Han Dynasty
They forced Confucianism unto their people. Attacked by barbarian invaders in the north. The Han were eventually defeated and the people of China were left in a Period of Disunion again.
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