History - Lesson 3

Question 1

What was the social structure like in Ancient China?

Answer 1

• Developed around the ideas of people belonging to ‘four occupants’
  - The Shi ===> a ruling group of nobles, scholars and officials
  - The Nong ===> peasant farmers
  - The Gong ===> artisians and craftspeople
  - The Shang ===> merchants and traders

Question 2

What are some main points of status in Ancient China?

Answer 2

• Was possible (not easy) to move groupings
• Most respected group were scholars then farmers
• Looked down on merchants
• The slave population of 60 000 of 60 million people

Question 3

What are some of the main points about emperors?

Answer 3

• Most important person, ruled groups
• Power to:
  - Expect and enforce people’s obedience to his will
  - Responsibility to protect people and their livelihoods

Question 4

What are some points about peasants in Ancient China?

Answer 4

• 90% of Imperial China’s population lived as peasants
• Worked as farmers and lived in small farming communities
• Always trying to avoid debt