Geographical Isolation and Dynastic Rule in Ancient China

China was a civilization that was surrounded by wildlife and unique geographical features. Located in South Asia, the Himalayas and Tian Shan mountain ranges blocked the way to the west and southwest. Thick rainforests covered the southeast, while the Gobi Desert obstructed the way to the north. To the east of China there was the Pacific Ocean. All of these features prevented trade from other civilizations, but also provided protection.

China had a unique governing system called dynasties. A dynasty is a family who rules. Dynasties usually last many generations, though they can last less depending on who is leading. To prevent leaders from becoming corrupt, the Chinese created the dynastic cycle. When a new dynasty rules they are usually fair. That means they treat their people nicely and take care of their land. As dynasties get older, the emperors become more corrupt, greedy, and did not take care of their people or perform their duties. Once a dynasty became corrupt they would lose the Mandate of Heaven, which is essentially a blessing from god for the family to rule. After that, a new dynasty would claim the Mandate of Heaven and begin to rule. The Shang dynasty lasted from about 1766 B.C. to 1122 B.C. The Zhou dynasty ended in 770 B.C. The people from the early Chinese

Confucianism was not a spiritual belief, but rather more philosophical. Confucius, the creator of confucianism, taught about worldly goals, like social order and good government. Daoism was about harmony with nature. Created by Laozi, Daoists believed that governments should not be in control as much as they were. They looked beyond regular life to see the way, or the Dao, of the universe. Under the Zhou dynasty, China became a feudal state. Feudalism was a type of government where local nobles governed over their own sections, but military service and other support was owed to the current