Ancient China -- Society

Ancient China -- Society

Multiple Choice

A group of people at a similar cultural, economic, or educational level is what word ?

• Social class

• Social hierarchy

• Daoism

• None of the words

Society in Ancient China

The emperor ruled with absolute power over all the classes. The servants and enslaved people were at the bottom. Social classes in ancient China were determined by birth. Once Chinese society became more established, there were chances for people to improve their social status. This could be achieved by working for the government, doing well at a job, or passing exams.

Multiple Choice

Social Class was determined:

• at birth

• by your education

• by your skills

• at your death

Slaves

The bottom of the pyramid

Slaves were:

• Born into slavery

• Sold by a family member into slavery

• captured during a battle

Slaves

What did they do?

Most people who were slaves worked in the fields, with the peasants. They did the same job, and had the same hours, and pretty much the same clothing and food, as free farmers. But they were not treated with the same respect given to farmers. Some slaves built roads. Some worked in government. Other slaves worked for the emperor or a noble family.

Peasants -- Farmers, Merchants and Artisans

Peasants: The working class

• Farmers: Grow crops and make sure there is enough food

• Merchants: Sell or trade things made by artisans (travel the Silk Road)

• Artisans: Create things to be sold

​The second class, the largest, was made up of the peasants. Nearly 60 million people lived in China during the Han dynasty, and about 90 percent of them were peasants. Although they were respected for their labor, most peasants were poor. They wore plain clothing and ate cooked grains like barley. Most peasants lived in small villages.

Life in ancient China during the Han Dynasty was busy and hardworking. Most people lived in small villages and worked as farmers. They grew crops like rice, wheat, and millet. Families worked together, and children helped with chores. Homes were simple, and people wore loose clothing made from cloth or silk.

​Life for most people in Ancient China

Open Ended

Most people in China were classified as what social class?

Nobility -- land owners and scholars

Nobility had a lot of wealth, power, land, privilege, and even military members that fought for them.

• land owners -- owned farms

• scholars. -- could read and write

Nobility

School was important for some children, especially boys from wealthy families. They learned how to read, write, and follow rules. Respect for parents, teachers, and leaders was very important. Many people believed in kindness, respect, and doing the right thing.

​The Nobility class was made up of the emperor's court, and scholars who held government positions. The emperor and his court lived in a large palace.

Less important officials lived in multilevel houses built around courtyards. Many of these wealthy families owned large estates and employed laborers to work the land.

However, Nobility was not a lifetime guarantee because the privilege could be removed at any time by the emperor.

Reorder

Put the social classes in order starting with the most power.

• Emperor

• Nobility

• Peasants

• Slaves

1

2

3

4

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Family Roles

Men and women had very different roles in early China. Men grew crops, ran the government, and fought wars. Women raised children and saw to their education. They also managed the household and family finances.

​The Family

​Since Confucianism was the government’s official philosophy, Confucian teachings about the family were also honored. Children were taught from birth to respect their elders. Disobeying one’s parents was a crime. Even emperors had a duty to respect their parents.

​Within the family, the father had absolute power. The Han taught that it was a woman’s duty to obey her husband, and children had to obey their father. All members of a family were expected to care for family burial sites and to honor their ancestors with rituals and ceremonies.

Filial Piety

Filial piety means showing love, respect, and care for your parents and older family members. In ancient China, this was very important.

Children were expected to listen to their parents, help at home, and be polite. As parents got older, children were supposed to take care of them. This showed gratitude for everything their parents had done for them.

People believed that when families treated each other with respect, the whole community would be peaceful and strong.

Multiple Choice

What Chinese custom is when children must respect and obey their parents?

• Mandate of Heaven

• Daoism

• Filial Piety

• Legalism

Honoring your family

In ancient China, family honor was very important. If someone dishonored their family by being rude, disobedient, or dishonest, there could be serious consequences.

People might feel shame, and the whole family could lose respect in the community. Neighbors might avoid them or talk badly about the family. This could make life harder for everyone.

Sometimes, there were punishments too, like being scolded by elders or punished by leaders. Because of this, children were taught to be respectful, listen to elders, and always try to make their family proud.