Year 7 History

Ancient China

 

Timeframe: 2000BCE- 220CE

 

 

Like other early civilisations, such as Ancient Egypt, China had its roots in farming. When the last glacial ended, people of the Stone Age began to drift towards the fertile valley of the Huang He (Yellow) River (We'll learn more about this soon). By about 8000BCE, people were growing rice and millet and herding animals. From here, villages and towns were formed- and soon, even became cities.

 

Ancient China was ruled for most of its last 3800 years by a series of dynasties. These dynasties were rules by Emperors. For example: the Qin dynasty was ruled by Shi Huangdi.

 

 

 

Activity 1:

 

 

Before we go any further let's just establish what is meant by the words dynasty and emperor.

Use the textbook to help you write a definition for each of these words.

 

Dynasty:

 

Emperor:

 

 

 

 

 

Context:

 

In order to get your head around Ancient China, let's take a look at the timeline in your textbook on page 272.

 

Activity 2:

Have a look at the timeline and answer the following questions in your book:

 

• How many kingdoms or dynasties are shown on the timeline and during what years did these kingdoms exist?

 

 

 

 

• Which foreign empire/s defeated the Chinese and made China part of their empire? When were these empires defeated and by whom?

 

 

 

 

• When was the Great Wall of China built? Why?

 

 

 

 

• During which period did the first Chinese emperor emerge? What was his name?

 

 

 

Geography of Ancient China (see handout)

 

Rivers
 

The two most important geographical features of Ancient China were the two major rivers that flowed through central China: the Yellow River to the north and the Yangtze River to the south. These major rivers were a great source of fresh water, food, fertile soil, and transportation. They also were the subjects of Chinese poetry, art, literature, and folklore.

Yellow River

The Yellow River is often called the "cradle of Chinese civilization". It was along the banks of the Yellow river where the Chinese civilization first formed. The Yellow River is 3,395 miles long making it the sixth longest river in the world. It is also called the Huang He River.

Early Chinese farmers built small villages along the Yellow River. The rich yellow colored soil was good for growing a grain called millet. The farmers of this area also raised sheep and cattle.

Yangtze River

The Yangtze River is south of the Yellow River and flows in the same direction (west to east). It is 3,988 miles long and is the third longest river in the world. Just like the Yellow River, the Yangtze played an important role in the development of the culture and civilization of Ancient China.

Farmers that lived along the Yangtze River took advantage of the warm climate and rainy weather to grow rice. Eventually the land along the Yangtze became some of the most important and wealthy land in all of Ancient China.

The Yangtze also served as a boundary between northern and southern China. It is very wide and difficult to cross. The famous Battle of Red Cliffs took place along the river.

Mountains

To the south and southeast of China are the Himalaya Mountains. These are the highest mountains in the world. They provided a nearly impassable border for Ancient China, keeping the area isolated from many other civilizations. They were also important to Chinese religion and were considered sacred.

Deserts

To the north and west of Ancient China were two of the world's largest deserts: the Gobi Desert and the Taklamakan Desert. These deserts also provided borders that kept the Chinese isolated from the rest of the world. The Mongols, however, lived in the Gobi Desert and were constantly raiding cities of northern China. This is why the Great Wall of China was built to protect the Chinese from these northern invaders

 

 

Activity:

 

1. Read through pages 274 and 275 of your textbook before answering the following question.

 

After examining source 6.3, what can we learn about where the early dynasties were located in ancient China? Why might they have been based around the two largest rivers? Write a paragraph explaining your answer.

(Please note: Shang, Zhou, Qin and Han are all early dynasties of China)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Mark the two rivers on the map (hand out)

 

 

 

 

Social order in Ancient China:

 

Social structure was very important in ancient China. The Chinese believed in strict social groups and people were expected to behave according to their social position. Men and women in ancient China were not equal and men were afforded far more privileges than women. The Chinese strongly believed in the wisdom of the elders and, as such, grandparents were greatly respected.

 

 

Key social groups in Ancient China:

Every society has a social structure. In ancient China people were divided into five main groups:

• The emperor was at the top. The emperor had 100% control and was wealthy from collecting taxes. 

• Next there were civil servants. They worked for the emperor and could read (not everyone in China could read). They collected taxes, enforced laws, and organized building projects (like the Great Wall). 

• Peasants were poor farmers and craftspeople, but were well respected and third in order because they made food and useful goods for everyone. 

• Merchants were fourth and weren’t well respected because they made money by selling things other people worked hard to make. 

• The ‘mean’ people who performed rough transport and other unskilled jobs and suffered the lowest status. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In your textbook, read about the key social groups in China.

 

Research activity:

 

Research each key group and create a poster that displays images and information for each group.

 

 

 

 

Activity:

 

Write a diary entry:

 

A day in the life of:

 

 

 

BLOOM'S TAXONOMY ACTIVITY SHEET