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The ancient Chinese civilization developed in the valleys of the Hwang-Ho, the Yangtse and the Siklang.
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China got its name by Chin dynasty. They ruled China from 221 B.C to 207 A.D. It unified China
and gave a strong administrative back bone.
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The Shang was the first major
dynasty which ruled over China, and it came to end when it got defeated by
Chou dynasty. During the rule of Chou dynasty China became very prosperous.
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After the fall of the Chou dynasty the Chin dynasty came to power and restored order and unity to empire. Shih – Huang – Ti standardized the Chinese
script. He built a network of roads to establish communication among the
provinces. He built Great Wall of China
to defend his empire from invaders.
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After Chou dynasty the Han dynasty ruled China over 400 years.
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The Siu dynasty replaced the
Hun dynasty in 6th century AD. The Han dynasty introduced written examinations
to appoint government officials, known as Mandarins.
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The Chinese emperors were powerful rulers.
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They kept large standing armies.
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They had to fight frequently against the attacks of the Barbarian Huns
and Tattars or Mongols from the north.
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Shih Wang Ti built the Great wall.
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It extended through hills and valleys in the northern part of China.
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The emperors also had to fight against the powerful war lords within the
country.
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The emperor, the nobility, the merchants, the craftsmen and the slaves
formed different grades of society. The Chinese had a close-knit family system.
The nobles were powerful.
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Agriculture, silk making, pottery, metal craft and woodwork were their
main occupations. The Chinese domesticated and reared horses, cattle, sheep,
pigs, dogs and poultry.
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They carried on trade with other countries. Compass, gunpowder, and paper
making were some important Chinese inventions.
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Gunpowder they didn't use in warfare but only for fireworks. Wood blocks
were used in printing.
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The Chinese religion consisted of ancestor
worship and worship of the powers of
nature. This continued even after the spread of Buddhism and Taoism.
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They believed in one Supreme God.
The oracles and the astrologers enjoyed great prestige in society.
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The Chinese script is a form of picture
writing. They wrote on silk or bamboo slips.
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Each picture stood for a different word, thing or idea.
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They didn't use a pen, but a fine brush for writing.
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The Chinese calendar had 365 days.
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They correctly calculated
eclipses and constructed various astronomical instruments including a big
clock. This clock was the ancestor of our modern clock.