22.2 / 22.3 The History and Culture of China

Chinese civilization is over 4,000 years old – it is the oldest in the world (not to be confused with Mesopotamia).

Most of China’s history is comprised of dynasties with emperors in charge.

Qin Dynasty one of the most important dynasties because it was the first to unite China under one empire.Shi Huangdi was the greatest Qin

ruler who ordered the construction of the Great Wall of China.

The Qing Dynasty was the last one.

Outside Influences in ChinaThe Chinese saw their culture

as superior so emperors often limited contact with other countries and civilizations.

Over time, people from other parts of the world started to demand Chinese goods like tea and silk.Europeans forced China to

open up to trade in the 1800s.

China’s Modern History1911 rebels – who were unhappy

about increased foreign influence in China – forced the last emperor out.The rebels formed a republic where

voters elect their leaders.

A power struggle emerged between two groups – the Nationalists (led by Chiang Kai-shek) and the Communists (led by Mao Zedong). The two groups fought a violent civil war that ended with a Communist victory in 1949.

A new Communist government was set up called the People’s Republic of China.

Nationalists fled to the island of Taiwan and created the Republic of China.

Communist ChinaMao Zedong became the head of

China’s new government.Under a Communist government, the

government owns most businesses and land as well as controls all areas of life.

In addition to taking over all businesses and factories, the Chinese government seized all private farms and organized them into large, state-run farms.

Other changes included…Women gained more rights and could now work. (positive change)

The government limited freedoms of citizens and imprisoned those who criticized it.

Mao died in 1976 and Deng Xiaoping took over.He worked to modernize and improve China’s economy by allowing some private businesses and encouraging other nations to invest in China.

Today, China is still a Communist country.The government controls

newspapers and Internet access.It harshly punishes critics of the

government as seen in 1989 when 100,000 pro-democracy protesters gathered in Tiananmen Square were violently shut down by government troops.

China’s EconomyCommunist China began as a command

economy (government owns all businesses and makes all economic decisions)

Today China has a mixed economy where there is still some government control but also some market economy ideals such as private ownership and foreign investment.

China is the world’s largest economy (recently passing up the United States) and most people work as farmers or in factories.

China’s People and Culture1.3 billion people – world’s largest

populationThe populated areas of China are not very

spread out – 10% live in West China, while the remaining 90% are packed into East China along the rivers and coast.

Largest city = Shanghai (14 million people)

Capital City & second largest city = Beijing (11.5 million people)

Because there are so many people, China has a lot of air pollution.

Ethnic Groups92% of Chinese identify as Han Chinese and speak Mandarin – China’s official language.

There are over 55 other ethnicities in China.

Religion, Values, BeliefsEven though the Communist

government discourages the practice of religion in China, people follow the ideas of Daoism (stresses living simply and in harmony with nature), Buddhism, and Confucianism.

Christianity and Islam are also practiced in some smaller areas of China.

The Arts and Popular CultureSome popular things that came out

of China:Architectural style of pagodas

(Buddhist temples that have multi-storied towers with an upward curving roof at each floor).

Calligraphy – a decorative way of writing

Martial arts – Buddhist monks train students in the art of kung fu

Sports like table tennis

Games like mah-jongg