TOPIC 7
THE CIVILIZATION OF ANCIENT CHINA

For a printable copy of this page, click here

IDENTIFICATIONS
Identify and discuss the importance of the following items
Lang Shan Yang Shao Hsia (Xia) Dynasty
Shang Dynasty Chou (Zhou) Dynasty Wei Valley
"Mandate of Heaven" "well field system" Book of Changes (I-Ching)
Book of  Songs Book of Rituals Loyang
Ch'in (Qin) Chin (Jin) Peking (Beijing)
Shantung (Shandong) Ch'u (Qu) Sechuan (Sichuan)
Confucius  K'ung Fu-Tze (Kongfuzi) Analects
Mencius Shih Huang Ti (Qin Shi Huang Di) Canton (Guangzhou)
Hsian Yang (Xian Yang) Li Ssu (Li Si) Legalism
Han Fei-Tzu (Han Fei-zi) Li Ping (Li Bing) Kuan Hsien (Guanxian)
Chengdu Ssu Ma Ch'ien (Simaqian) Liu Pang (Liu Bang)
Han Kao-tsu (Han Gaozu) Hsien (Xian) Han Wu Ti (Han Wudi)
Kansu (Gansu Corridor) Sinkiang (Xinjiang) Turkestan
Kashgar Hsiung-nu (Xiongnu) Uighurs
Chang Ch'ien (Zhangqian) Ch'ang An (Changan) Seres
Samarkand Talas River Tashkent
Wang Mang Red Eyebrows Huns
Pan Ch'ao (Ban Chao) Wei Dynasty Six Dynasties
Historical Records History of the Han Dynasty Pan Ku (Ban Gu)

STUDY QUESTIONS

1.  Despite the brevity of the dynasty, the Qin (Ch'in) established the foundation of a united China.  What were these significant political and social reforms?
2.  In what ways was Han China similar to Qin (Ch'in) China?  In what ways were they different?
3.  Explain the organization of Zhou (Chou) Dynasty feudalism?  Why did it work for such a long period?  What caused the changes in this organization during the eighth century BCE?
4.  Discuss the social, political, and religious characteristics of the Shang Culture.  What were the contributions of the Shang?  Were there any weaknesses in their basic cultural patters which led to their overthrow?

TIME FRAME

Western Chou (Zhou) 1122-771 BCE
Subject nobles installed by Chou (Zhou) kings

Western Chou (Zhou) 1122-771 BC
Subject nobles installed by Chou (Zhou) kings

Eastern Chou (Zhou) 771-256 BC
Independent political power of regional nobles under
Chou (Zhou) kings

Spring and Autumn Period 722-481 BC
Title of Chronicle of the Period covering these years

Warring States Period 403-221 BC
Name taken from the history of the Period

READING ASSIGNMENT

Rhoads Murphey, A History of Asia, Chapter 5

Return to Home Page

Return to Syllabus