The Establishment of the Civilization and Empire of China
Objectives:
1. To discuss on how the Civilization and Empire of China start.
2. To identify the Philosophies and rulers of the different Dynasty in China.
3. To give value on the different Dynasty and Empire ruled in the Civilization of China in
terms of the ruler and its way of governing.
Content
P’anku - He was believed to have been born from the Womb of Chaos.
Three (3) Ancient Emperors in China
Fu Shih- Invented the use of expressions in picture form which marked the
beginning of Chinese writing and even crafted guidelines for marriage.
Shen Nung- He improved the knowledge of agriculture.
Huang Ti- Known as the Yellow Emperor. Invented the brick to use for
construction, corrected the calendar and started the 60 year cycle.
Three (3) Sages
Yao
Shun
Yu
Different Dynasty in the Civilization of China
Hsia
Was believed to be the first dynasty in China.
It was located in the province of Shanxi and populated by Neolithic people.
The people of Hsia had knowledge of Pottery.
It was believed that the Hsia felt because of an abusive leader.
Shang
The Chinese Bronze Age began.
Metal implements and the evolution of a written language and most important
developments during the Shang era.
Recognized as the first literature group of people in Asia East of the Urals.
As amulets bones and turtle shells for good fortune.
200 Chinese characters developed during the period.
Silk weaving also developed fully during the period which indicated that practiced
long before the Shang Dynasty.
Shang felt because of the abusive leader who was violently replaced by another
ruler from Zhou.
Zhou
Zhou replaced the Shang when the former successfully invaded the Shang
capital in Anyang.
Stated to use the fertilizer and metal implements for farming as well as the plow
harness for the water buffalo.
Began to use metal coinage for trade.
Feudal System in Chinese society.
Three (3) Schools of thought were important
Confucianism- is the philosophy of those who believe that foundation of a good
dynasty is contingent on the designation of leaders who exemplified good values.
Taoism- argues that an orderly dynasty can only be achieved by leaders who
observe no other rules except the law of nature.
Legalism- the success of the dynasty depends on a leader with direct powers
who will enact and order laws that affect all aspects of life and movement of the
people.
Mandate of Heaven- this refers to the forces of nature that manifest approval or
disapproval of a leader’s governance.
Qin or Ch’in
State overpowered all its enemies to form its own dynasty.
In the English Language, the name China has its roots in the Ch’in.
Shih Huang Ti- literally the first Emperor.
The Ch’in became the first dynasty to rule over the entire Chinese world.
Han
Liu Pang- A peasant emerged as the rebel leader who became emperor in 206
BC. He established the Han Dynasty upon his Victory with its capital at Cahngan.
The western and eastern Han.
The Han started its dynasty from the foundation of the Ch’in but it improved on
the laws that weekend the latter.
Ssu-ma-Yen was a general from the Wei Dynasty succeeded in securing the
throne in 265 CE.
He established his own Jin Dynasty.
280 CE was able to unify South and North China under his rule. But this was
separated again upon his death in 290 CE. The Jin Dynasty eventually collapsed
when rich influential families prevaile.
Sui
The Sui was of mixed Tartar and Chinese stock.
Sui-Wan-Ti founded a dynasty which ended under the rule of his son Sui Yang
Ti.
He also tried but failed to defeat the Koguryo Kingdom of Korea.
He was killed by his own followers.
After Sui Yang Ti’s death, the Sui Dynasty came to an end.
Reference:
Fornier, J.N, Banasihan, M. et’al (2006): ASIA, History, Civilization, and
Culture, Anvil Publishing Inc.
The Establishment of the Civilization and Empire of China
Exercise 1
Direction: Choose the correct answer in the box to answer the following questions.
Write your answer in the space provided.
Metal implements and evolution of written language Shang Dynasty
Golden Age of Chinese Philosophy Shen Nung
P’anku Yao
Zhou Dynasty Huang Ti
Fu Shih Hsia
________________1. He was believed to have been born from the Womb of Chaos.
________________2. It was believed to be the first Dynasty in China.
________________3. One of the ancient emperor who taught the Chinese how to make
fishing nets, domesticate animals and make musical instruments.
________________4. It is consider as one of the three sages.
________________5. An ancient emperor who improved the knowledge of agriculture.
________________6. Dynasty that is consider as the Chinese Bronze Age.
________________7. He was known as the Yellow Emperor.
________________8. Two most important developments during Shang era.
________________9. The time or age where different kinds of philosophy grew in china.
________________10.Consider as the longest dynasty in China ruled for about 800
years.
Exercise 2
Direction: Match the items in Column A with the items in Column B.
1. Philosophy of those who believed
that foundation of a good dynasty is a. Shih Huang Ti
a contingent on the designation of
leaders who exemplified good values.
2. It refers to the forces of nature that
manifest approval or disapproval of a b. Liu Pang
leader’s governance
3. He consider as the first emperor in c. Han Dynasty
Qin Dynasty.
4. Another philosophy argues that an
Dynasty can only be achieved by d. Wu Ti
leaders who observe no other rules
except the law of nature.
5. Another Dynasty that established e. Confucianism
after Qin Dynasty came to an end.
6. It is a policy that allows owners of
Industries to make regulations and f. Laissez faire
Administer their own affairs without
Interference from the government.
7. Peasant who emerged as the
Rebel leader and became emperor g. Ssu Ma Yen
of Han Dynasty.
8. He is a general from the Wei
Dynasty succeeded in securing h. Mandate of Heaven
the throne in 265 CE.
9. In Han dynasty, he reaches the peak i. Sui Wen Ti
of power who ruled from 140 to 87 CE.
10. Founded the Sui Dynasty which ended j. Taoism
Under the rule of his son Sui Yang Ti.
Exercise 3
Essay
1. In the establishment of Civilization and empire in China, what dynasty or empire do
you think is the most effective in our present days when it comes to ruler and its way of
governing? Explain your answer.
The Establishment of the Civilization and Empire of China
Answer to Exercises:
Exercise 1
1. P’an Ku
2. Hsia
3. Fu Shih
4. Yao
5. Shen Nung
6. Shang Dynasty
7. Huang Ti
8. Metal Implements and Evolution of written language
9. Golden age of Chinese Philosophy
10. Zhou Dynasty
Exercise 2
1. Confuasianism
2. Mandate of Heaven
3. Shi Huang Ti
4. Taoism
5. Han Dynasty
6. Laissez faire
7. Liu Pang
8. Ssu Ma Yen
9. Wu Ti
10. Sui Wen Ti
