Geography
The geography of Ancient China changed the way civilization and culture developed here. The large land was isolated from the rest of the world by dry deserts to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the east, and the Himalaya Mountains to the South. This is how the Chinese kept separate from other world civilizations.
Daily Life
The majority of people in Ancient China were peasant farmers. Although they were respected for the food they provided for the rest of the Chinese, they lived tough and difficult lives. They lived in small villages and worked on small family farms. Although they had plows and sometimes used animals to help with the work, most of the work needed to be done by hand. Farmers had to work for the government one month each year as military or construction projects.
The Chinese family was ruled by the father of the house. Three generations (grandparents, parents, and children) usually all lived in the same house. The father's wife and children were required to obey him in all things. Who you married was decided by your parents. A big part of Chinese family life was the respect of their elders. Children of all ages, even grown ups, were required to respect their parents. The respect carried even after people were dead. Chinese would often pray to their ancestors and offer sacrifices to them.
Only wealthy boys attended school in Ancient China. They learned how to write, studied religion, and poetry. Girls had it difficult in Ancient China. They were considered much less valuable than men. Women had no say in who they would marry, and sometimes infant baby girls were abandoned. Dainty small feet were considered attractive in girls. Young woman had their feet painfully bound to prevent them from growing.
The Chinese family was ruled by the father of the house. Three generations (grandparents, parents, and children) usually all lived in the same house. The father's wife and children were required to obey him in all things. Who you married was decided by your parents. A big part of Chinese family life was the respect of their elders. Children of all ages, even grown ups, were required to respect their parents. The respect carried even after people were dead. Chinese would often pray to their ancestors and offer sacrifices to them.
Only wealthy boys attended school in Ancient China. They learned how to write, studied religion, and poetry. Girls had it difficult in Ancient China. They were considered much less valuable than men. Women had no say in who they would marry, and sometimes infant baby girls were abandoned. Dainty small feet were considered attractive in girls. Young woman had their feet painfully bound to prevent them from growing.
Religion
Three major religions shaped the ideas and history of Ancient China. They are Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddism.
- Taoism believes all people should be one with nature. They didn't believe in a lot of rules or government. The idea of Yin and Yang comes from this religion. This is where everything in nature has two balancing forces called Yin and Yang. They are always opposite and always equal and balanced.
- Confucianism came from a philosopher named Confucius. He came up with ways that people should behave and live. His teachings focused on treating others with respect, politeness, and fairness. He said that family was important and honoring your relatives was required. His followers believed in a strong and organized government. Confucius is famous today for his many sayings. Such as "It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you don't stop" or "When anger rises, think of the consequences."
- Buddhism was based on the teachings of Buddha who was born in Nepal, south of China. Buddhism spread through much of India and China. They believe in rebirth and in Karma. Karma says that all actions have consequences. So actions you take today will come back in the future to either help or hurt you depending on if your actions were good or bad.
Systems
1. The Grand Canal is the longest man-made waterway in the world. It was built in order to ship grain from the rich farmland in southern China to the capital city in Beijing. This helped emperors to feed the soldiers guarding the northern boarders. The canal was built from other ancient canals build 1000 years earlier.
2. The Great Wall of China
Technology
The Ancient Chinese were famous for their inventions and technology! Many had lasting impact on the entire world. Some of their inventions were...
- Silk
- Paper
- Printing
- The Compass
- Gunpowder
Modern Day Traces
If You Have Extra Time...
Photos used under Creative Commons from otisarchives3, cphoffman42, Franco Folini, john.gillespie, simpleinsomnia