People’s Republic of China. Silk Road Trade route from China to Central Asia to the Black Sea Enabled China’s contact with the outside world 4,000 miles.

People’s Republic of China

Silk Road

• Trade route from China to Central Asia to the Black Sea

• Enabled China’s contact with the outside world

• 4,000 miles long• Silk, teas, porcelain,

ivory, textiles, jewels, spices, slaves, etc.

Chinese Civil Wars (1927 – 1950)

• Kuomintang (Nationalists) vs Communist Party of China led by Mao Zedong

• 1949 Mao Zedong proclaimed the PRC and the KMT fled to Taiwan (Republic of China).

• Today, Taiwan’s status is conflicted. The PRC insists that the ROC is a Chinese province.

• Taiwan is not an official country.

Taoism• Ancient tradition of philosophy and religious

belief • Originated in China 2000 years ago • It is a religion of unity and opposites; Yin and

Yang.• many deities are worshipped• Based on the Dow—natural order to the

universe (harmony with the Dow)• Before the Communist revolution fifty years

ago, Taoism was one of the strongest religions in China.

Practices of Taoism

• Meditation • Feng shui—balance the

energies of any given space to assure the health and good fortune for people inhabiting it.

• Fortune telling • Reading and chanting of

scriptures

Yin Yang

• Yin Yang is the principle of natural and complementary forces

• Ex. Light/dark, masculine/feminine, wet/dry

• These are opposites that fit together and work in perfect harmony.

Buddhism• Religion and philosophy that began in India• Founder: Siddhartha Gautama around 500 BC• Known as Buddha “The Enlightened One”• 4th largest religion• Darma, Karma, and reincarnation• Goal: Nirvana (spiritual bliss—free of pain and suffering)• Yoga and meditation• Religious book: Pali Cannon

Confucianism

• Developed by the Chinese philosopher, Confucius, in 6th-5th century BC.

• Holy book: Analects• Philosophy that focuses on

humans and their abilities, values, and worth

• does not deny heaven• inspires one to live a

virtuous life• No deities

Pollution in China

• Economy trumps environment

• Poor enforcement of laws• China is the world’s largest

polluter• Caused by China’s rapid

industrialization• By 2030, China’s carbon

dioxide emissions could equal the entire world’s CO2 production today

• China is making efforts to decrease pollution Pollution turns Yellow River red

Pollution Facts (Do not copy)

• China is home to 20 of the world’s 30 most polluted cities.

• The world’s most polluted city is Linfen, China

• 90% of China’s urban groundwater is polluted.

• Cancer is leading cause of death

• 500 million people without safe drinking water

• Only 1% of 560 million city dwellers breathe safe air

• Deforestation is a huge problem

• Uses coal for 70% of energy needs

• Omits more carbon dioxide than any other country.

Communist Party of China

• Founding and ruling party of the PRC since 1921

• Harsh restrictions and human rights violations: Internet, the press, freedom of assembly, reproductive rights, and freedom of religion

• Leader: Hu Jintao– General Secretary and Leader of the Communist Party

Great Leap Forward of 1958• Led by Mao Zedong• Economic and social campaign

of Communist party• Goal: Speed up

industrialization and economic success

• Poor planning, large inefficient industries, hurt agriculture, created famine, damaged environment, violence increased, hindered economic success

• Millions diedPeople in countryside working at night to produce steel

Cultural Revolution (1966 to 1976)

• Mao Zedong wanted to get rid of enemies and intellectuals (threats)

• Schools were closed, people were displaced, tortured, imprisoned, raped, and killed

• Paralyzed the country socially, politically, and economically

• Mao had absolute power

Tiananmen Square Massacre (1989)

• Tens of thousands of students gathered to demand political reforms.

• Government sent army troops who killed thousands of people.

• Est. 2,500 deaths on the streets of Beijing• Martial law• Lasted seven weeks

Economy/Trade

• 2nd largest economy• $8,394 GDP per capita• Fastest growing • Economy began to improve

in the 1980’s when aspects capitalism were introduced.• Based on agriculture and industry• Largest exporter

Compare/Contrast

People’s Republic of China• Communist Single Party

State• Mandarin• 3,704,427 sq mi• Population: 1.3 billion• 363/sq mi• $5,184 per capita• Undeveloped• Agriculture and industry

Republic of China (Taiwan)• Republic• Mandarin• 13,974 sq mi• Population: 23,234,000 • 1,662/sq mi• $21,951 per capita• Developed• technology