Ancient China
Ancient China
Travis Herbst
February 20, 2006
Day 2 Block
The Chinese have a rich culture of dynasties. In early years, the Chinese people were ruled by one dynasty until that dynasty was overthrown by another dynasty. The most known dynasties are: Shang, Ch'in, and Mongols. The Shang Dynasty was the first dynasty of China. Around 2000 BC, the Chinese were starting to make bronze and developing a writing system. The Shang lasted about 700 years until they were overthrown by the Chou Dynasty. The Ch'in Dynasty is responsible for the China name. The Ch'in also built up an army to build the Great Wall of China. In 1276 AD, the Mongols invaded China. At that time, the Mongol empire stretched from India and Russia to northern China and Korea. The Mongols were probably the strongest dynasty.
During the reign of the Shang Dynasty, the Chinese people worshipped many different gods. They mostly worshipped sky and weather gods; also a higher god that ruled over other gods called Shang-Ti. During this time, people believed that their dead ancestors became gods and were to be worshipped. Each family worshipped their own ancestors. Around the Chou Dynasty, people started worshipping a force called t'ien, which means "Heaven." This force decided who the emperor was and when he stopped ruling. Around 600 BC, new ideas such as Taoism circulated China. Taoism is the belief that force shouldn't be used and natural force should decide things. This belief became very popular. Not too long after that, a belief called Confucianism surfaced. This belief was that people should do their duty and follow their leaders. This too became popular. Although these new beliefs were becoming very popular, people still believed that their ancestors were gods and should be worshipped.
Tunics were proper attire for the Chinese people in early years. Women wore long tunics that touched the...
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