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A dynasty is a line of rulers from the same family. When the emperor died, someone in his family took over - usually his oldest son. A dynasty could last many, many years or it could end quickly if there was a disagreement or war. Read about famous families or dynasties. Then, on our study guide put the letter next to the facts that are correct about each one. Each letter will be used FIVE (5) times.
A dynasty is a line of rulers from the same family. When the emperor died, someone in his family took over - usually his oldest son. A dynasty could last many, many years or it could end quickly if there was a disagreement or war. Read about famous families or dynasties. Then, on our study guide put the letter next to the facts that are correct about each one. Each letter will be used FIVE (5) times.
- Shang - S
The Shang Dynasty lasted 600 years and was the first family to rule China. Honoring the gods and ancestors was important. They believed spirits lived in mountains, rivers, and seas. Most people were poor farmers who worked for the emperor and his relatives. Farmers learned to domesticate (or train) horses. Other important inventions were an accurate calendar and the chariot.
The Shang Dynasty lasted 600 years and was the first family to rule China. Honoring the gods and ancestors was important. They believed spirits lived in mountains, rivers, and seas. Most people were poor farmers who worked for the emperor and his relatives. Farmers learned to domesticate (or train) horses. Other important inventions were an accurate calendar and the chariot.
Family was extremely important. If one family member did something wrong, the whole family was in disgrace. The young obeyed their parents without arguing. Most looked forward to having their own family because family was so important it was almost sacred.
Family was extremely important. If one family member did something wrong, the whole family was in disgrace. The young obeyed their parents without arguing. Most looked forward to having their own family because family was so important it was almost sacred.
The Shang started a celebration called the Spring Festival that turned into Chinese New Year. The Shang started the first Chinese writing and using bronze. They used bronze to make sculptures, vases, drinking cups, and bowls. This was called the Bronze Age. The Shang also used bones to predict the future. They called them oracle bones. They wrote a question on an animal bone and heated it over a fire until it cracked. Then, they "read" the answer given. It is very similar to fortune telling.
The Shang started a celebration called the Spring Festival that turned into Chinese New Year. The Shang started the first Chinese writing and using bronze. They used bronze to make sculptures, vases, drinking cups, and bowls. This was called the Bronze Age. The Shang also used bones to predict the future. They called them oracle bones. They wrote a question on an animal bone and heated it over a fire until it cracked. Then, they "read" the answer given. It is very similar to fortune telling.
2. Zhou - Z
2. Zhou - Z
The Zhou (pronounced Jo) Dynasty lasted over 800 years. It was the longest dynasty in Chinese history. It was a time full of great thinkers or philosophers. One very famous philosopher was named Confucius. His ideas spread throughout China and are still famous today.
The Zhou (pronounced Jo) Dynasty lasted over 800 years. It was the longest dynasty in Chinese history. It was a time full of great thinkers or philosophers. One very famous philosopher was named Confucius. His ideas spread throughout China and are still famous today.
Poetry or poems became very popular and they also invented chopsticks. Excellent irrigation systems were built to control the rivers to help with farming. This allowed them more time to trade and they focused on trading silk. The Mandate of Heaven came from this dynasty and was used for many years. The Mandate of Heaven convinced the Chinese people that the gods gave families the right to rule. At the end of the Zhou dynasty people stopped obeying the emperor and tried to set up their own kingdoms. Fighting started and lasted for almost 200 years.
Poetry or poems became very popular and they also invented chopsticks. Excellent irrigation systems were built to control the rivers to help with farming. This allowed them more time to trade and they focused on trading silk. The Mandate of Heaven came from this dynasty and was used for many years. The Mandate of Heaven convinced the Chinese people that the gods gave families the right to rule. At the end of the Zhou dynasty people stopped obeying the emperor and tried to set up their own kingdoms. Fighting started and lasted for almost 200 years.
3. Qin - Q
3. Qin - Q
The Qin (pronounced Chin) dynasty was the shortest. The first ruler Qin Shi Huang became known as emperor Qin. He believed all people were bad and he needed to control every minute of their lives. He thought they needed discipline and hard work. He ran his dynasty with absolute control and harsh punishments. He was very, very, very strict. It was illegal even to whine or complain. If you did this, you might be put to death without a trial.
The Qin (pronounced Chin) dynasty was the shortest. The first ruler Qin Shi Huang became known as emperor Qin. He believed all people were bad and he needed to control every minute of their lives. He thought they needed discipline and hard work. He ran his dynasty with absolute control and harsh punishments. He was very, very, very strict. It was illegal even to whine or complain. If you did this, you might be put to death without a trial.
To make sure everyone behaved and did their job, Qin set up a spy system. People had to spy on each other - it was the law. If people tattled on others, they were rewarded. If they did not and Qin found out, they were executed. Qin also started a system of weights and measurements and insisted only one kind of money be used.
To make sure everyone behaved and did their job, Qin set up a spy system. People had to spy on each other - it was the law. If people tattled on others, they were rewarded. If they did not and Qin found out, they were executed. Qin also started a system of weights and measurements and insisted only one kind of money be used.
One of his biggest accomplishments was the Great Wall. He connected many smaller parts of the wall. He was also responsible for building roads, canals and bridges that saved lives. He was still mean though. He burned books and tortured teachers that didn't teach what he wanted. In fact, he really thought education wasn't important because it took time away from work. He hated the ideas of Confucius so he tried to burn all his books and erase him from history.
One of his biggest accomplishments was the Great Wall. He connected many smaller parts of the wall. He was also responsible for building roads, canals and bridges that saved lives. He was still mean though. He burned books and tortured teachers that didn't teach what he wanted. In fact, he really thought education wasn't important because it took time away from work. He hated the ideas of Confucius so he tried to burn all his books and erase him from history.
People obviously disliked Qin's controlling ways. They also did not like that he built himself huge palaces. He even built a gigantic tomb for himself with life-like and life-sized soldiers to protect him after death. His rule did not last long, people didn't like him very much.
People obviously disliked Qin's controlling ways. They also did not like that he built himself huge palaces. He even built a gigantic tomb for himself with life-like and life-sized soldiers to protect him after death. His rule did not last long, people didn't like him very much.
4. Han - H
4. Han - H
The Han Dynasty lasted for 400 years. Life was very good for people during the Han Dynasty because of the demand for Chinese silk. The Chinese had been making silk for hundreds of years. However, the creation of a new trade route called the Silk Road allowed China to become super rich during this time.
The Han Dynasty lasted for 400 years. Life was very good for people during the Han Dynasty because of the demand for Chinese silk. The Chinese had been making silk for hundreds of years. However, the creation of a new trade route called the Silk Road allowed China to become super rich during this time.
During the Han Dynasty they replaced many of the ideas and books that were lost when Qin had them burned. They especially agreed with the long dead Confucius that education was very important. So the Han's started public schools. They also came up with a civil service test. Anyone could take this test to get an important government job if they were smart enough. It did not matter if you were rich or from an important family. If you proved yourself on the test, they believed in you.
During the Han Dynasty they replaced many of the ideas and books that were lost when Qin had them burned. They especially agreed with the long dead Confucius that education was very important. So the Han's started public schools. They also came up with a civil service test. Anyone could take this test to get an important government job if they were smart enough. It did not matter if you were rich or from an important family. If you proved yourself on the test, they believed in you.
The Han Dynasty is also known for INVENTIONS. Some very important ones were: acupuncture, paper, and a seismograph to detect earthquakes.
The Han Dynasty is also known for INVENTIONS. Some very important ones were: acupuncture, paper, and a seismograph to detect earthquakes.
Shang
Zhou
Qin
Qin
Han
Han
Mandate of Heaven
People in ancient China were superstitious. This means they believed in magic and luck rather than reasoning or science. They believed the ruling family or dynasty got the right to rule from the gods. They called this the "Mandate of Heaven" as if it came from the heavens and from the gods. The Zhou dynasty came up with this idea. If the ruling family kept the gods happy, they continued to rule. However, if the gods became unhappy a sign would occur. Signs might be earthquakes, food shortages, floods, and other natural disasters. These can be explained by science but instead they believed they were sent by the gods because they were unhappy with the ruling family. After a disaster occurred the dynasty could lose the "Mandate of Heaven" and a new family came into power. Aa war might happen before the new family would start ruling China because the other family did not give up without a fight. Sometimes, the same family could convince the people the sign wasn't true or just win the war and keep ruling. Regardless, the people all believed the rulers had the "Mandate of Heaven" or the blessing from the gods to rule.
People in ancient China were superstitious. This means they believed in magic and luck rather than reasoning or science. They believed the ruling family or dynasty got the right to rule from the gods. They called this the "Mandate of Heaven" as if it came from the heavens and from the gods. The Zhou dynasty came up with this idea. If the ruling family kept the gods happy, they continued to rule. However, if the gods became unhappy a sign would occur. Signs might be earthquakes, food shortages, floods, and other natural disasters. These can be explained by science but instead they believed they were sent by the gods because they were unhappy with the ruling family. After a disaster occurred the dynasty could lose the "Mandate of Heaven" and a new family came into power. Aa war might happen before the new family would start ruling China because the other family did not give up without a fight. Sometimes, the same family could convince the people the sign wasn't true or just win the war and keep ruling. Regardless, the people all believed the rulers had the "Mandate of Heaven" or the blessing from the gods to rule.
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