Ancient China - Key Groups

What is a social class?

• line of rulers in the same family

• people with a similar position in society

• heavenly law giving the king the right to command

A ​ (a)   is a way of organizing things (or people) from top down in order of importance or significance.

• hierarchy
• pyramid
• government
• monarchy

Ancient Chinese society was based on a strict social hierarchy. Order the social classes from most important to least important.

• The nong - farmers

• Emperor and Imperial family

• The gong - artisans and craftspeople

• The shang - merchants and traders

• The shi - nobles and officials

Match the following occupations to their correct definition.

• Emperor

• Made their money through the exportation and selling of luxury goods such as silk.

• Merchant

• Worked closely with the Emperor, gaining high status and a good income by partaking in governmental duties.

• Farmer

• A highly skilled class who solely produced the goods essential for daily life.

• Artisan

• Worked on farmland, served as soldiers and worked on building projects.

• Official

• The leader of ancient China, who protected the people and forced them to obey him.

Which key group in ancient China believed that the government should not be concerned with money?

• The nong

• The shang

• The gong

• The shi

Identify the shang and the nong on the social hierarchy.

a

b

Nong

Shang

In ancient China, the birth of a girl was a sign of good luck.

• True

• False

Foot binding made women dependent on their husbands and family.

• True

• False

Women in ancient China were...

• Treated well

• Educated

• Allowed to lead

• Treated as second class citizens

Why were the craftsmen (gong) more respected than the merchants (shang)?

• Because they owned land

• Because of their friendship with the emperor

• Because of their money

• Because of their skills