Shang/Zhou Dynasties + Philosophies

Dynasties of Ancient China

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Multiple Choice

What were the four main dynasties of Ancient China?

• Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han
• Hand, Mouth, Foot, Head
• Shoe, Chin, Hand, Shang
• Tavs, Lodas, Kohlmann, Hoeft

The Shang Dynasty

• arose along Huang River

• began as monarchy (kings)

• lasted 600 yrs.

• kept government power within family

• large harvest = surplus = strong soldiers = expansion

• built large, walled cities + controlled flooding of Huang

Multiple Choice

The Shang dynasty started in what region of China?

• Yangtze River Valley

• Huang He River Valley

• Gobi Desert

• Tibetan Plateau

Writing

• oracle bones - predict future

• didn't use alphabet

• used pictographs/logograph

• developed FIRST writing system in China

• thousands of characters (memorization)

• language is diff. across China, but characters are same

Multiple Choice

Which dynasty developed a system of writing?

• XIA
• SHANG
• ZHOU
• HAN

"Bronze Age"

• soldiers used war chariots + bronze tipped spears

• best known for bronze metalworking - pots, cups, weapons

• used in religious ceremonies

• sacrifices w/ bronze blades

• offerings to ancestors

Multiple Choice

Which dynasty experienced the Bronze Age?

• Shang

• Zhou

• Xia

• Qin

Fall of the Shang

• constantly at war - weakened armies

• government/rulers grew corrupt

• resented by people

• Zhou attacked Shang and warriors refused to fight

• surrendered + accepted Zhou king as new ruler

Multiple Choice

Which dynasty took over after the fall of the Shang?

• Qin

• Han

• Zhou

• Ming

Multiple Choice

True or False: The Shang had multiple spoken languages, but only one written language.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What was the government system of the Shang?

• Monarchy (Rule by a King/Queen)

• Democracy (Rule by the People)

• Oligarchy (Rule by the Rich)

• Republic (People Elect Their Leaders)

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a possible reason the Shang dynasty ended?

• Their constant warfare severely weakened their military strength.

• Shang rulers spent money lavishly, which weakened their economy.

• A Zhou army attacked the Shang, defeating and overthrowing them.

• all of the above

The Zhou Dynasty

• ruled about 800 yrs (longest)

• struggled staying united during last 1/2 of rule

• iron readily available to masses

• result = war/upheavals

Mandate of Heaven

• concept that heaven gave dynasties right to rule

• heaven supported change in power

• ruler = "Son of Heaven"

• virtuous = harmony between heaven/Earth

• uprisings/natural disasters = sign of poor ruling

Multiple Choice

In China, dynastic cycles were based on divine right and rulers felt justified to rule
The political influence dynasties had was based on

• the Peter Principle
• the Mandate of Heaven
• the Eightfold Path
• the Confucian Principle

Zhou Society

• majority peasants

• high value on family

• innovations = crossbow + iron

• better farm tools

• irrigation/fertilizer = more crops

• network of roads = travel/trade

• use of coins = easier trade

Multiple Choice

What important invention helped the Ancient Chinese to make strong weapons and tools?

• a. Gunpowder

• b. Moveable type

• c. Iron

• d. Porcelain

• e. Lacquer

Feudal System of Government

• large territory-king owned all

• king gave pieces of land to "lords" in exchange for protection by soldiers

• lords = rulers of own land/states

• full power over peasants/farmers

• lords protected them - given portion of crops in return

Multiple Choice

A system of government where the king gives land and power to aristocrats in exchange for tribute and troops is called...

• Capitalism

• Legalism

• Feudalism

Multiple Choice

3. What type of government did the Zhou use to rule China?

• a. Democratic

• b. Communist

• c. Civil service

• d. Republic

• e. Feudal system

Warring States

• feudalism began to break down

• lords wanted more power

• warlords: military rulers of small states

• full scale warfare = total disorder for 200+ yrs. in China

• "Warring States Period" - 7 kingdoms fighting

• leaders looked for ways to bring back peace

Multiple Choice

What occurred during the end of the Zhou dynasty?

• Warlords fought throughout China.

• Crop production decreased.

• Cities declined in importance.

• Weak states conquered stronger ones.

Multiple Choice

For 200 years 7 different kingdoms fought with each other. This period was known as

• The Warring State Period

• The Classic Age

• The Golden Period

• The Renaissance

Belief Systems

• believed many spirits ruled daily life

• *ancestor veneration = practices honoring the dead

• spirit would protect/guide

• philosophy = set of beliefs about the world/how to live

• 3 schools of thought: Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism

Multiple Choice

Why did leaders of China seek out the three major schools of thought, Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism?

• People no longer wanted to believe in the Mandate of Heaven.

• Conflict rose with the Warring States period.

• The King was no longer looked at as a god, and wanted to regain his superior power.

Confucius

• the "First Teacher"

• honored for great wisdom

• chaos b/c Chinese had turned from old traditions/values

• started own school (Analects)

• "Golden Rule"

• central to political/ethical thought across China

Multiple Choice

Confucius lived when no dynasty controlled China. It was called "the Warring States Period."

Confucius hoped to persuade rulers to _________their ways and bring ___________ to China.

• move, happiness

• remove, slaves

• change, peace

• listen, work

Multiple Choice

Confucius's ideas were put into a book called....

• The Analects

• The Quran

• The Bible

• The Buddha

Confucianism

• *stable, orderly society based on 5 relationships

• 1- ruler/subject

• 2- father/son

• 3 - husband/wife

• 4- older/younger brother

• 5- two friends

• harmony = people acting accordingly to their role

Multiple Choice

Confucius' main goal was to have ___________ in society.

• order
• fun
• happiness
• work

Multiple Choice

How is a harmonious society created according to Confucianism?

• By praying to Confucius for mercy.
• Through individuals following the social rules appropriate to their station in life.
• By making certain that foreign elements are not allowed in.
• Through democratic processes that allow each individual to vote for those who will rule them.

Confucianism

• filial piety: the devotion of children to their parents

• "the source of all virtues"

• elders care for/teach younger --> respect/obey elders

• rulers should lead by setting good example

• kind + benevolent

• tradition rituals + education support social order

Multiple Choice

According to Confucius, rulers should govern by _______

• the law.

• military might.

• a monopoly on natural resources.

• setting a good example.

Multiple Choice

In China on Tomb-sweeping Day, families visit the graves of deceased relatives. Why did Confucius say people should honor and respect their elders?

• Because children should sweep away all memory of their ancestors so they may rest in peace.

• So that their elders will fund their children's education.

• Because filial piety - respect of children for their parents - was critical to the social order.

• Because elders do not need to show the younger members of the family any respect or lead by example.

Daoism

• founded by Laozi (a sage)

• *way of life that emphasizes a simple + natural existence*

• Dao = natural way of the universe

• Yin/Yang - 2 great forces at work in nature (opposites)

• balance = key to harmony in universe

Multiple Choice

Who is considered to be the founder of Daoism?

• Confucius

• Lao Tzu

• Sun Tzu

• Mao Zedong

Multiple Choice

The yin and yang are ______

• the two temples of Laozi.

• the sun and the stars.

• things that are the same and must be kept together at all times.

• two polar forces in all things that must be kept in balance.

Multiple Choice

There is a big emphasis on _______________ in Daoist beliefs.

• balance

• zen

• meditation

• yoga

Daoist Beliefs

• Dao = "the way/path" (source of yin +yang)

• follow course of nature = peaceful society

• good leader = little action

• not concerned w/ morals, rituals, learning

• possibility of after-life/immortality

Multiple Choice

Name the philosophy: True happiness is found through meditation and connecting with nature.

• Confucianism

• Legalism

• Daoism

Multiple Choice

Name the philosophy: If someone is not behaving properly, a mentor should work with them and help them correct the behavior.

• Confucianism

• Legalism

• Daoism

Multiple Choice

Name the philosophy: Mike always listens to his parents (even when he doesn’t agree with their decisions) because he believes you should always respect your elders.

• Confucianism

• Legalism

• Daoism

Multiple Choice

Name the philosophy: James never worried much about the future. He just went with the flow and accepted whatever life threw his way.

• Confucianism

• Legalism

• Daoism

Multiple Choice

Name the philosophy: Ryan believes that nature is full of opposites.

• Confucianism

• Legalism

• Daoism

Multiple Choice

Name the philosophy: Joe believes that he must set a good example for others to follow.

• Confucianism

• Legalism

• Daoism

Multiple Choice

All three philosophies were created to bring...

• Peace
• Violence
• Knowledge
• Hope

Multiple Choice

Respect for elders, good government and social order represent the basic beliefs of

• Hinduism

• Buddhism

• Confucianism

• Shintoism

Multiple Choice

Respect for elders, good government and social order represent the basic beliefs of

• Hinduism

• Buddhism

• Confucianism

• Shintoism