Reviewer in World History

Civilization in China and Japan

The civilization of China is one of the oldest in the world, dating back for nearly 4,000 years. Since early times, the Chinese were deeply concerned with achieving good government. They survived the rise and fall of many ruling houses and the constant threat of invasion. The brilliant culture of the Chinese Empire was a model for all Asia. Japan borrowed many ideas from Chinese culture but developed them in a distinctive way. A feudal society grew up, and military leaders centralized the country’s government. Both Japan and China preserved their traditional cultures well into 19th century by deliberately isolating themselves from foreign influences. Chinese dragons were the symbols of a rain spirit. While dragons were evil creatures in the mythologies of many other lands, in China they symbolized imperial authority and were even believed to have the power to protect the emperor.

The Civilization in China

The Red Giant

• Most populous country in the world.

• 4th largest country in the world.

• Chinese, is the most widely spoken language in the world.

China’s first civilization developed along the Yellow River (Huang Ho) which began in the mountains of Western China.

The farming people of the river valley believed that were the only civilized people in the midst of the tribes.

The Chinese came to call their land

Chung-Kuo, or “the Middle Kingdom”.

Traditionally, the Chinese traced their history through many dynasties to a series of legendary rulers, like the Yellow Lord (Huang Di), who invented the key features of civilization—agriculture, the family, silk, boats, carts, bows and arrows, and the calendar.

The last of these kings was Yu, and when he died the people chose his son to lead them, thus establishing the principle of hereditary, dynastic rule. Yu’s descendants created the Xia dynasty (2205?-1570? BC), which was said to have lasted for 14...