Transcription

1 Document #1: Great Wall of China Throughout China s history, they often worried about the nomads that lived along the northern border. Shi Huangdi finally developed a way to end the border wars. He ordered the largest construction project in Chinese history. He called it the Dragon s Back, commonly known as the Great Wall of China. Many other rulers built parts of the wall and he decided to connect them. When it was finished it stretched over 1,400 miles. The walls were each thirty feet high which is equal to three stories of a building! The watch towers were every 100 to 200 yards and allowed the Chinese warriors to keep supplies for the archers. The Great Wall of China is one of the wonders of the World. It is so impressive that it is the only man made object that can be seen from space! 1.) Why was the Great Wall of China built? 2.) What was the Great Wall of China s other name? How long and how high was the wall? 3.) What effects did the Great Wall have on Ancient China? What significance does it have today?

2 Document #2: Confucius Confucius was an important educator during ancient China. His main goal was to influence society for good. He thought that if everyone was able to get along, order and peace would be brought to China. He was focused on bringing peace, stability, as well as prosperity to the ruler s kingdoms. Confucius was a teacher as well as a philosopher, and his ideas were used as training for the people of civil service. His work was changed into a new type of religion or philosophy known as Confucianism. As a teacher and as a philosopher, Confucius had a major part in the change of how people of China treated on another. Confucius had a major impact on China s society. 1.) What was Confucius s occupation? 2.) What was the goal of Confucius? How did he accomplish those goals? 3.) Why do you think that Confucius wanted to bring peace, stability, and prosperity to the kingdoms of Ancient China?

3 Document #3: Family Life The main focus of the Chinese culture revolves around the family structure. An extended family is a family which possesses many different generations. It was very common in Ancient China to have households that had five generations. The oldest male had absolute power over the entire family. The punishments for disobeying him were severe and strict. The oldest male can be a grandfather, father, or any other male based upon family circumstances. He is the person who arranges marriages, and makes decisions for the entire family. The family provided a structure that showed the value placed on a male and the lack of value the woman had in the family. This structure exists in many cultures today! 1.) What was an extended family? 2.) Who had absolute power over the family? What happened when they passed away? 3.) How did the family structure mimic the way government was operated in Ancient China?

4 Document #4: The Silk Road The business of trade provided the Ancient Culture to interact with people of Central Asia. The new foods such as grapes, walnuts, and garlic provided the people with a reason to trade. The exchange of goods gave rise to a major new trade route known as the Silk Road. The route ran from China to the Mediterranean Sea. It was not a single route, but a series of routes which covered more than 4,000 miles, which the equivalent of a road from Chicago to Hawaii! The road was very dangerous because of thieves and the environment. The road passed through mountains as well as deserts. To travel would be prosperous, but it was also very treacherous. The name Silk Road comes from the major good silk which was desired throughout Europe and Asia. China traded the silk which came from worms, for goods that ranged from jewels, horses, and linens. Along with the goods, ideas traveled to China. Buddhism and was brought to China based upon the trade with India. Trade was an important influence on the development of the Ancient Chinese culture. 1.) Where did the trade route get the name Silk Road from? 2.) What were some problems facing traders following the Silk Road? 3.) How did trade help Ancient China to develop?

5 Document #5: Achievements of Ancient China Ancient China was able to stabilize their government and focus on the science and technology development. It was here where China has influenced modern times in a variety of ways. Farming, medicine, education, and travel were all directly influenced by Ancient China. There are numerous advances that we have today which are connected to the frequent inventions and scientific developments from Ancient China. Focusing on technology makes work more efficient, advances medicine, and improves education. All of these advances are the foundation of developing a successful society. Technology Medicine The Arts Paper from wood pulp Iron plow for breaking soil Rudder- device to steer ships Wheelbarrow Fishing reel Compass Acupuncture: treatment of disease using needles Anesthetics- substance that puts patients to sleep during surgery Herbal remedies discovery of plants useful as medicines Silk Weaving Jade carving Bronze metallurgy Temples and palaces Poetry and history Philosophy 1.) What would be a good title for the graphic above? 2.) How was China able to invent and develop so many things? 3.) Choose two examples from the graphic organizer and explain how they are used today.