Political
The Zhou dynasty in China was not a centralized government. Its government was purely feudalism, in which power is divided into several sects and required those sects to pay taxes and provide for an army. Because this system was entirely dependent on trust, as a result, it created disloyalty among the several regions of China. During the Zhou dynasty, the concept of the "Mandate of Heaven" was created. The Mandate of Heaven was a "blessing" by heaven that is given to certain individuals to rule China. Once the ruler lost favor of the gods, the ruler would fall. The Zhou dynasty was later replaced by the Qin dynasty, where emperor Qin Shih Huangdi created a legalistic form of government and united China.
The Qin dynasty was a strict government system in which it forced citizens of China to work for the emperor, no matter what the reason. This later led to the construction and creation of the Great Wall of China, because the Qin emperor feared that the northern steppes nomads would overthrow his position as emperor. After the emperor died in 210 BCE, the citizens of China revolted against the government and created an era of chaos until the Han dynasty was formed.
The Han dynasty was a government that was run by scholarly bureaucrats that had to take an exam to be qualified to work for the government. In addition, the Han dynasty revolved around the concept of Confucianism, which emphasized the importance of filial piety, social etiquette, and manners. Unfortunately, this centralized government was ended by the Mongols.
http://wps.ablongman.com/long_stearns_wcap_4/18/4646/1189489.cw/
The Qin dynasty was a strict government system in which it forced citizens of China to work for the emperor, no matter what the reason. This later led to the construction and creation of the Great Wall of China, because the Qin emperor feared that the northern steppes nomads would overthrow his position as emperor. After the emperor died in 210 BCE, the citizens of China revolted against the government and created an era of chaos until the Han dynasty was formed.
The Han dynasty was a government that was run by scholarly bureaucrats that had to take an exam to be qualified to work for the government. In addition, the Han dynasty revolved around the concept of Confucianism, which emphasized the importance of filial piety, social etiquette, and manners. Unfortunately, this centralized government was ended by the Mongols.
http://wps.ablongman.com/long_stearns_wcap_4/18/4646/1189489.cw/
Economy
The first form of Chinese currency was created during the Qin dynasty. China also used crops as a way to pay for taxes.
The silk production in China was very prominent and favorable by many foreigners. This mass liking of silk later spawned the Silk Road, a web of several trade networks.
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/china/ss/082208china_5.htm
The silk production in China was very prominent and favorable by many foreigners. This mass liking of silk later spawned the Silk Road, a web of several trade networks.
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/china/ss/082208china_5.htm
Religion
China's religion was mainly the following three: Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism.
Buddhism became the main religion of China during the Tang dynasty, in which the Empress herself became a Buddhist. During the Han dynasty, Confucianism influenced the decisions of many, including the emperor, Han Wu Ti. Daoism was also a major religion in that several individuals of Classical China believed in both Daoism and Confucianism due to their heavily contrasting beliefs.
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/china/ss/082208china_2.htm
Buddhism became the main religion of China during the Tang dynasty, in which the Empress herself became a Buddhist. During the Han dynasty, Confucianism influenced the decisions of many, including the emperor, Han Wu Ti. Daoism was also a major religion in that several individuals of Classical China believed in both Daoism and Confucianism due to their heavily contrasting beliefs.
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/china/ss/082208china_2.htm
Society
China strongly emphasized filial piety and ancestral worship. The first son inherited all inheritances and the family's will.
The social classes in China were strictly separated, and moving up in social class was very difficult.
Confucianism created social etiquette, including eating with chopsticks, dressing according to social class, and filial piety. A son that struck his father was killed for his actions.
http://confucianism.freehostingguru.com/
The social classes in China were strictly separated, and moving up in social class was very difficult.
Confucianism created social etiquette, including eating with chopsticks, dressing according to social class, and filial piety. A son that struck his father was killed for his actions.
http://confucianism.freehostingguru.com/
Innovations
Many well-known products were invented in China. Some of these include: paper, gunpowder, silk, mills, and etc..
China was introduced to iron before copper was ever introduced, therefore China completely skipped over the Bronze age and proceeded to the Iron age.
China's pottery was renowned. People from around the world purchased pottery and porcelain goods from China due to its luxury and well-crafted shape.
China also developed a high knowledge of astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and etc.. Much of the knowledge of the Chinese was later transferred over to the Middle East, where further research was done to the aforementioned topics. The Chinese basically set a foundation in which others could stand on and continue their work.
http://listverse.com/2009/04/18/10-great-ancient-chinese-inventions/
China was introduced to iron before copper was ever introduced, therefore China completely skipped over the Bronze age and proceeded to the Iron age.
China's pottery was renowned. People from around the world purchased pottery and porcelain goods from China due to its luxury and well-crafted shape.
China also developed a high knowledge of astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and etc.. Much of the knowledge of the Chinese was later transferred over to the Middle East, where further research was done to the aforementioned topics. The Chinese basically set a foundation in which others could stand on and continue their work.
http://listverse.com/2009/04/18/10-great-ancient-chinese-inventions/
Arts and Architecture
The greatest manmade creation of all time, the Great Wall of China, was created in the Qin dynasty. The Qin emperor feared attacks from the northern steppe nomads, the Huns, so he brutally ordered his citizens to build a wall that no army could ever trespass. In Qin Shih Huangdi's grave, there is a terracotta of clay soldiers, and his tomb, like several other tombs, has a geometrical symmetry
During the Han dynasty, several shrines were built because they regarded Confucius as a deity.
Chinese pottery was highly-regarded and praised. Its luxury attracted customers from all around the world, especially the Iberian peninsula. Porcelain eventually became one of the most successful sources of income in China.
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/china/702111
During the Han dynasty, several shrines were built because they regarded Confucius as a deity.
Chinese pottery was highly-regarded and praised. Its luxury attracted customers from all around the world, especially the Iberian peninsula. Porcelain eventually became one of the most successful sources of income in China.
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/china/702111
Near Geography
China expanded greatly during the Qin dynasty, where conquest as very prevalent. The Zhou dynasty was surrounded by the Yangtze River, the longest river in China.
North of China: Mongolia, Gobi Desert, and Russia.
East of China: Korea, Chinese Sea, Japan, and Pacific Ocean.
South of China: Yellow Sea, Taiwan, and the Pacific Ocean.
West of China: Tibet and mountainous areas.
http://geography.about.com/od/chinamaps/a/china.htm
North of China: Mongolia, Gobi Desert, and Russia.
East of China: Korea, Chinese Sea, Japan, and Pacific Ocean.
South of China: Yellow Sea, Taiwan, and the Pacific Ocean.
West of China: Tibet and mountainous areas.
http://geography.about.com/od/chinamaps/a/china.htm