Ancient China

Unit Highlights

In this unit, students will analyze primary and secondary sources to explain the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the early civilizations of China. Students will be able to:

  • Describe the geography of China and explain its effects on Chinese civilization

  • Explain the problems during Confucius's life and how he tried to solve them.

  • Explain the main beliefs of Taoism and Confucianism

  • Evaluate the policies and achievements of Shi Huangdi

  • Explain how the Han Dynasty developed an imperial bureaucratic state and expanded the empire.

  • Define the silk road and explain its significance.

  • Explain the causes of the spread of Buddhism during the Han Dynasty

Flocabulary

Unit Vocabulary

  • Bureaucracy

  • Caravan

  • Censorship

  • Civil Service Exam

  • Confucianism

  • Confucius

  • Dao

  • Daoism/Taoism

  • Dynasty

  • Emperor

  • Geographic Isolationism

  • The Great Wall of China

  • Han Dynasty

  • Hsiao

  • Legalism

  • Li

  • The Mandate of Heaven

  • Qin Dynasty

  • Ren

  • Shi Huangdi

  • The Silk Road

  • The Terracotta Warriors

  • Wu Wei

  • Yangtze River

  • Yellow River (Huang He)

  • Yi

  • Yin Yang

Activity 1: Ancient China Pre-Test

Using your prior knowledge, brainstorm, list, and/or draw what you know about Ancient China in a thinking map. Complete this assignment on the Thinking Maps Learning Community or on paper. You may include:

  • Information you know or kind of know about Ancient China.

  • Guesses about Ancient China.

  • Questions you have about Ancient China.

  • Information you would like to know about Ancient China.

  • What comes to mind when you think of Ancient China.