The early Chinese dynasties discussion

The early Chinese dynasties discussion
Q What are the early Chinese dynasties
known for?
A The Xia dynasty is the earliest known
Chinese dynasty (2100–1600 BC ). It lasted for
about fourteen generations. During the
Shang dynasty (1600–1027 BC ), a written
language began to take shape and history
started to be recorded. At this time, people
also learnt to make things out of bronze.
The Shang dynasty in China was followed
by the Zhou dynasty (1027–221 BC ), when the
Chinese learnt to use iron. The rulers during
this period encouraged their people to grow
crops, spin silk, make pottery, build boats and
carts, and hunt with bows and arrows. In 221
BC , Emperor Qin Shi Huang became the first
king to rule over the whole of China. He
made sure that all Chinese people spoke the
Qin language. A written language with over
3,000 characters was developed.
Q Who was Confucius?
A Confucius was born in 551 BC during
the rule of the Eastern Zhou dynasty. He was
a teacher and a philosopher. He travelled
widely, giving advice to different rulers and
trying to convince them to be more caring
towards their people. He believed in the
family and in peace, truth and cooperation.
He also believed that the king should be
just and fair. The years of Confucius are
known as the Golden Age of Chinese
philosophy. His teachings were followed
by generations of rulers and officials who
governed China.
Destroying knowledge
Emperor Qin Shi Huang
ordered the burning of
most books in the country
in 213 BC, destroying very
valuable information about
ancient China. He believed
that those who wrote
books were spreading
dissent against him.
River valley
An aerial view of part of
the Yangtze river and its
valley, where the ancient
Chinese civilization was
developed over many
centuries.
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