Ancient China Flashcards
(28 cards)
a series of rulers from the same family
dynasty
Highest class in a society, often born into this class. Had the most wealth and power.
Aristocracy
the belief that the Chinese king’s right to rule came from the gods, to keep order in the universe.
Mandate of Heaven
The supreme ruler of an empire. Held tremendous wealth and power.
emperor
collection of over eight thousand life-sized sculptures made from pottery in the tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China
Terracotta Army
Teachings based on the ideas and philosophy of Laozi (Lao-Tzu)
Daoism
The ideas and philosophy of the Chinese philosopher Confucius.
Confucianism
the belief that people were bad by nature and needed to be controlled with harsh laws and punishments.
Legalism
A barrier made of a series of walls across China’s northern frontier to stop invaders (Mongols).
Great Wall
An ancient network of trade routes between China and the Mediterranean Sea extending some 6,440 km (4,000 mi) linking China with the Roman Empire.
Silk Road
A time of division and warfare between regional lords following the decline of the Zhou dynasty in the 8th century B.C.E.
Warring States Period
a walled section of Beijing that encloses the palace that was the home of the emperor of China from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty
Forbidden City
a thin, beautiful pottery formed into cups, plates, etc. invented in China and often called “china”.
porcelain
respect shown by children for their parents and elders
filial piety
This was the earliest known dynasty. There is no written evidence of this early time period, but artifacts have been found. The people of this time were farmers and made pottery.
Xia Dynasty
This is the earliest dynasty with a written record; developed written language; and made bronze tools and weapons.
Shang Dynasty
(1056BC-256BC) Established feudal system with king at the highest level, then lords and warriors and then peasants. Used iron. Mandate of Heaven.
Zhou Dynasty
The first centralized dynasty of China. Used Legalism as its base of belief. Started by Qin Shi Huangdi; connected Great Wall; created Terracotta Soldiers; rule was often harsh and brutal.
Qin Dynasty
Dynasty started by Liu Bang; a great and long-lasting rule, it discarded the harsh policies of the Qin dynasty and adopted Confucian principles; Han rulers chose officials who passed the civil service exams; China’s “Golden Age”. Traded with other civilizations using the Silk Road.
Han Dynasty
What did the Qin dynasty order to have burned?
books
What Two Rivers did Ancient China develop around? (Select Two)
Yellow & Yangtze
Define Fief
land
Define betrothal
commitment to marriage
Why was the Great Wall built?
to keep out invaders
