China in Disorder

220-589 C.E.

Geography of the RegionChina has very diverse

landscapes that isolate it from the rest of the world.

The landscapes also help to protect China from neighboring tribes or enemies.

DesertsTaklimakan Desert:

◦“Once you go in, you never come out”

◦World’s largest shifting-sand desert

Gobi Desert:◦Fifth largest desert

in the world◦Location of several

cities along the Silk Road

MountainsTian Shan

◦ “the Heavens’ mountains”◦ Neighbors the Taklimakan

Desert

Himalayas◦ “abode of snow” in

Sanscrit◦ Mount Everest is included

(highest peak in the world at 29, 029 ft)

◦ Plateau of Tibet (highest and biggest plateau in the world)

WaterwaysChiang Jiang River

◦ Longest river in China at 3,915 mi

Huang He River (“Yellow River”)◦ Carries a lot of silt which makes

it appear yellow

Yellow Sea◦ Sand from the Gobi desert on

the surface make it appear yellow at sunset

East China Sea South China Sea

Nearby Enemies: The Mongols

North of China Outstanding leadership & Military

SkillHorses

Children learned to ride before they could walk because horsemanship was that important to the Mongols

Mongols traveled in family groups called CLANS.◦Formal leader was usually the eldest

male

Temujin was born in 1167 and became a strong military leader of his clan at the age of 12 after his father was killed.

He received recognition from several clans after he showcased his skill and careful thinking with his own people.

At the age of 39, he was named Genghis Khan – “ruler of all within the sea.”

He shaped the Mongolian Warriors and helped to create order in battle by setting up a structured military.

Division of Ideologies

ConfucianismBuddhismTaoism/Daoism

Confucianism◦Based on the teachings of

Confucius Chinese thinker and social

philosopher

◦Respect for elders◦Completing duties to the

family◦Attaining virtue by studying

the classics or serving the government

◦Visions of personal and social perfection will bring peace and prosperity to the people

BuddhismBased on the teachings of

Siddhartha, the Buddha of “Enlightened One”◦ Originated in India and arrived in

China via the Silk RoadTaught that life is a cycle of

pleasure or sorrow, of death and rebirth

Suffering is seen as a part of life – caused by paying too much attention to material things

A person could escape from suffering through meditation – then reach enlightenment

Taoism/DaoismBased on the teachings

of Laozi/Lao-tzeA Chinese philosopher

Emphasis on living in harmony with nature

Being content with lifeYin Yang: opposing

forces are actually in interconnected and give rise to each other

Reunification: 589 C.E.China was reunified under

Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty

Accomplishments: Practiced traditional politics Organized public works projects

(i.e. Rebuilding of the Great Wall, digging of the Grand Canal)

Renewed the focus of education through the building of colleges

Organized administration system Encouraged followers of each of

the 3 systems of thought