Name: ________________________________
Chapter 3 Reading Guide
Classical Civilization: CHINA
Using the map on page 57
Draw in the Great Wall and label.
Label the Huanghe River (a.k.a. Yellow River)
Label the Yangtze River
Label Korea
Label Mongolia
INTRODUCTION (P. 38-41)
1. What was occurring in the Zhou kingdom at the time of Confucius?
2. How did Confucius regard the nomads, even the ones who had adopted Chinese
culture?
3. KEY AP TOPIC! What is the name given to Confucius’ teachings?
4. Why does Confucianism emphasize strong rulers and respect for authority and duty?
(HINT: what was happening in China when he formed his ideas?)
5. What were the centuries following Confucius’ death known as?
6. What dynasty rose to restore order centuries after the Zhou had fallen?
7. What kind of ruler was Shi Huangdi?
8. What new dynasty arose due to the overly harsh rule of the last?
9. How long did this new dynasty last?
10. KEY AP TOPIC! The Han dynasty is known for creating the world’s largest, most
effective what? Write the word AND write its definition below. (Look it up online if you
want.)
11. KEY AP TOPIC! What exams did the Han develop for young men who wanted to join the
organization above?
12. China was more isolated than other parts of the Afro-Eurasian world by geography
(deserts and mountains). List a positive and negative effect of that isolation on China.
POSITIVE:
NEGATIVE:
PATTERNS IN CLASSICAL CHINA
13. Define: dynasty -
14. Your text describes Chinese views of history and political change as “cycles”. Annotate
the diagram below according to these views. (Describe what happens at each stage)
New Dynasty: Aging Dynasty:
Problems:
15. KEY AP TOPIC! This relates to the dynasty cycle diagram above. The Zhou claimed
they had a right to replace the Shang as China’s rulers because heaven (the gods) had
transferred its mandate (permission) to rule to the Zhou emperors because the Shang
were not ruling well. What was this concept called?
16. How did the Zhou promote cultural unity in China?
17. Why did Shi Huangdi purposely appoint (pick) people from nonaristocratic groups to be
his officials? (HINT: “aristocratic” means you have lots of land because you were born to
it – your father had it before you and your grandfather before him. Aristocrats are
usually right below a ruler in power.)
18. Besides expanding the size of China, what did Shi Huangdi most known for and what
was its purpose?
19. What was the MAIN reason Shi Huangdi was unpopular?
20. What philosophy did the Han focus on?
21. What group overthrew the Han and where did they come from?
POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
22. What did Emperor Wu Ti establish to help select the best bureaucrats?
23. What does the Chinese proverb “heaven is high, and the emperor is far away” reveal
about how much control the government had over ordinary people during the Han
period.
RELIGION AND CULTURE
24. Define: Secular –
25. Confucius promoted respect for one’s social superiors and fathers and husbands were
superior in the family. What would he say about a father who abused his children or a
husband who beat his wife?
26. In what way does Confucianism restrain a ruler and protect the people under him?
27. Why were emperors not threatened by Daoism? (HINT: look back a paragraph or two
and see what Daoism said about politics)
28. Being able to recite poetry indicated a person was what?
29. How did Chinese research in math and science compare to Western thinkers like the
Greeks?
ECONOMY AND SOCIETY
30. This is a diagram showing Chinese social structure during the Han period. Notice that
peasants are in the middle – something unique to China compared to the West. Where
do merchants go on this diagram?
Gentry/landowning
aristocracy & educated
bureaucrats–
Peasants –
Most Chinese are peasant farmers.
“mean people” – those without
meaningful skills, included performing
artists and slaves.
31. List the technological innovations of the Chinese during the Han period.
GLOBAL CONNECTIONS: CLASSICAL CHINA AND THE WORLD (P. 53-54)
32. What has allowed China to support a massive population and some of the world’s
largest cities?
33. What happened to many of the technological innovations created in China, like paper
and compasses, over time?
34. How were many ideas and inventions spread?
35. What product did China possess that the outside world, even Rome, valued highly?
36. What famous “road” was used to trade with China?
TIMELINE
Insert the following events into the timeline. Pick up on the dates as you read them in the text.
A. Qin dynasty begins E. Era of the Warring States (range
B. End of the Zhou dynasty of dates)
C. Confucius born F. Han dynasty ends
D. Han dynasty begins G. Accurate Chinese calendar
developed.
0
1000 BCE
500 CE
