Beyond Mulan - Using Literature to Learn about Ancient China

Introduction | Background Knowledge | Activities | Extensions | Standards

Introduction

Only one civilization can claim to be the longest-lasting empire in global history. This ancient civilization is also known for fireworks, silk, terracotta warriors, and the Great Wall. The Chinese civilization was ruled by emperors for over 2000 years and made numerous contributions to the modern world.

Click the image above to view a video that shows more about Ancient China.

Background Knowledge

While China’s earliest inhabitants can be traced to Yuanmou Man, a subspecies of Homo erectus, who inhabited China about 1.7 million years ago, the “Cradle of Civilization” in the Yellow River Valley saw the rise of villages about 5000 BCE. From these communities, centralized forms of government began to develop, and the Xia Dynasty was established. In 1996, the Chinese government released information about the Xia Dynasty, dating it to 2070-1600 BCE. The Xia Dynasty established a familial line of succession until the dynasty was overthrown around 1600 BCE.

The Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE) brought a reorganization to the Chinese ruling class. After the opulence and extravagance of the Xia Dynasty, the first ruler of the Shang Dynasty, Tang, lowered taxes nationwide and ended many construction projects begun during the Xia Dynasty. The earliest written history of China dates to the Shang Dynasty, when writing was developed. Religion was organized, architecture flourished, and the ancient Chinese began working with bronze during this era.

In 1046 BCE, King Wu of the Zhou province rebelled against the king of Shang when Wu’s brother was brutally killed. This rebellion marked the beginning of the Zhou Dynasty, which spanned from 1046 to 256 BCE. Wu immediately sought to restore the ruler’s connection to Shangti, the god of law, order, and justice. He championed the Mandate of Heaven. The Mandate of Heaven legitimized the ruler's authority as coming directly from Heaven. It also stated that there would be only one legitimate ruler of China, and power would pass from father to son as long as the son was deemed worthy. During the Zhou Dynasty, writing became more organized, and the people moved from bronze to iron.

Many of the familiar names from Chinese history lived and worked during this period. The well-known philosopher Confucius taught about living a virtuous life through short phrases such as “the man who says he can and the man who says he can’t are both correct.” Sun-Tzu’s military treatise, known as the “Art of War,” was also written during this time. The Zhou Dynasty saw turbulent times, moving the capital from the west to the east. During this fragile period, seven states began to break away from the central rule, sparking the Warring States Period in China. This unrest lasted from about 481 to 221 BCE. None of the seven states believed they had the Mandate from Heaven to rule, but all thought they had sovereignty. All seven states employed the same military tactics and rules of engagement, so there was no progress or resolution to the conflict. A philosopher named Mo Ti tried to end the war by providing intelligence to each state equally so that no state would have an advantage. This strategy was unsuccessful, and around 262 BCE, the state of Qin defeated Zhou. Ying Zheng, the King of Qin, restored order and named himself Shi Huangdi, the First Emperor of China.

Shi Huangdi launched what would be known as the Imperial Era of China. While the Qin Dynasty would only be a small part of this Era, spanning from 221 to 206 BCE, dynasties would control China until 1912 CE. Shi Huangdi began work on a large wall along China’s border. This original structure no longer stands, but it marked the beginning of the Great Wall of China. He also increased trade by improving the country's infrastructure. However, he lost popularity as he began to take away people's rights and freedoms. He also focused on providing for himself in the afterlife, creating a palace and tomb to house him. His tomb included over 8,000 terracotta warriors to protect him in the afterlife. He is believed to have died in 210 BCE and to have named his son his heir, not his trusted advisor, as was expected. The Qin Dynasty fell due to the ineffective leadership of Shi Huangdi’s son and advisors, and two generals fought against the Qin from 206 to 202 BCE in a period known as the Chu-Han Contention.

Liu Bang emerged victorious and began uniting China after the Chu-Han Contention. He named himself Gaozu. His rule became known as the Han Dynasty, named after his hometown, and it would continue for the next 400 years, well after Gaozu’s death. Peace times allowed the culture to thrive in China. Paper was invented during this time, and the earliest known record of medicine was created. Gaozu followed Confucianism and named it the philosophy of the government; however, he was tolerant of other philosophies. After Gaozu’s death, there was a line of kings, culminating with the great Wu Ti (141-87 BCE). Wu Ti expanded cultural initiatives, including literacy and the spread of Confucianism. He also sent emissaries west, allowing trade and opening the Silk Road. The wealthy leaders of China continued to prosper after Wu Ti’s death, but life for the poor peasants became more difficult. The Han Dynasty faced a brief, minor challenge in 9 CE from the acting regent Wang Mang. He took power in 9 CE and started the Xin Dynasty. He tried to make large, sweeping, ill-planned changes. This caused the people to lose their jobs and become angry. He was assassinated in 23 CE.

Emperor Guangwu came to power in 23 CE and re-established the Han Dynasty in what would be known as the Eastern Han period. He restored order and returned to the ways of the Western Han period. Land was returned to the wealthy, and Guangwu continued to stifle rebellions as he re-established control of China. Rulers would continue to put down challenges until 220 CE, when General Cao Cao was defeated, thrusting China into an era of division. Three kingdoms claimed the Mandate from Heaven, and from 220 to 280 CE, the period was known as the Period of the Three Kingdoms. This time of instability and unrest has been considered the end of the Ancient Chinese civilization.

Several short-lived dynasties followed the Han Dynasty until the Sui Dynasty came to power and began to reunite China in 589 CE. During the Sui Dynasty, the army grew to the largest in the world at that time. The Great Wall was enlarged and rebuilt. The Grand Canal was completed, and a standard system of coins was established across the country. The legend of Mulan came from this Era. Unfortunately, the father-and-son rulers of the Sui Dynasty were careless with the country’s finances, bankrupting the treasury. Yang, the son, was assassinated after a failed military campaign, and Li-Yuan overtook the Sui Dynasty in 618 CE.

Li-Yuan named himself Emperor Gao-Tzu of Tang. He improved the system of having decisions made by state officials instead of elected officials, which began during the Sui Dynasty. Gao-Tzu was assassinated by his son, Li-Shimin, in 626 CE. After killing his father, his brothers, and members of the family, Li-Shimin named himself Emperor Taizong. Taizong had many Buddhist temples and memorials to fallen warriors built across China. He created a legal system based on ideas from the Sui Dynasty. He also expanded his foreign influence by extending the empire and Chinese culture.

Taizong’s son, Gaozong, came to power in 649 CE. His wife, Empress Wu Zetian, became China’s only female leader in 690 CE. She would rule for 16 years. During her reign, she enacted policies that strengthened the emperor’s rule, but she also improved life for the Chinese people. Through effective communication channels and a secret police force, Wu Zetian could stay ahead of those who might challenge her. Trade along the Silk Road flourished and, by the time Emperor Xuanzong came to power in 712 CE, China had the largest population in the world and was enjoying an era of prosperity. The large army protected China. Art, technology, and science flourished during the Tang dynasty, with many sculptures and works in silver.

After a period of insurrection, fueled by dissatisfaction with the central government and by what was seen as excess and opulence, the Song Dynasty took power in 960 CE. The Song leaders were able to reunite the country. Laws and customs became part of the country’s culture. Neo-Confucianism became the prevailing philosophy. While the wealthy in China continued to prosper, there was still inequity between the ruling class and the peasants. The Chinese military quickly squashed any revolts, but the underlying problems were not addressed.

China’s dynasties ended in 1949 CE, when Mao Zedong, also known as Chairman Mao, consolidated the party under Communist rule and led the creation of the People’s Republic of China. These ruling principles have continued into present-day China.

ACTIVITIES

Explore TeachersFirst’s Special Topics Page of Ancient China resources (found here).

Selective List of Books

The Dinner That Cooked Itself by JC Hsyu (ISBN 9781909263413)

Tuan is a humble worker. He wants to find a wife but can not find a good match. When dinner starts to appear each night, he vows to figure out how dinner cooks itself.
Learn more about the legend of the Chinese zodiac with this video.
Determine your zodiac sign at Ancient China Online Games and Activities (reviewed here).

The Empty Pot by Demi (ISBN 9780805049008)

Young Ping loves flowers. The Emperor of China gives all the children a seed and instructs them to tend it for a year and bring their best back to the palace. Ping’s honesty wins favor with the Emperor.
Pair this with the sequel, The Greatest Power by Demi (ISBN 9780689845031). Ping is now the Emperor of China. He charges the children to determine the greatest power in China. One young girl, Sing, sees the greatest power as eternal life and presents a seed. She becomes the Prime Minister of China.
Learn more about Confucius and Chinese Philosophy. Students can illustrate some of the aphorisms attributed to Confucius. They can use art supplies for a non-technology option. Canva Comic Strip Templates (reviewed here) is a great option for a technology approach.
Follow the Chinese dynasties on this timeline from Asia for Educators. Check out the song that teaches the dynasties in order.
Play the Know Your Dynasties game from PBS (reviewed here).

Red Butterfly: How a Princess Smuggled the Secret of Silk Out of China by Deborah Noyes (ISBN 9781536203769)

A Chinese princess is ready to leave her family to get married. She is apprehensive about leaving her family and her country and wants to take a piece of China with her.
Pair this fictional text with The Silk Road by Kathy Ceceri (ISBN 9781934670620). The Silk Road was a network of trade routes between Europe and Asia. This text pairing will help students see the importance of the silk that the princess smuggled out of China in the picture book.
Expose students to resources through the American Museum of Natural History's Silk Road Exhibit (reviewed here).
Learn more about how silk is made from this video.
Explore China through the British Museum (reviewed here)

Selective List of Chapter Books for Upper-Grade Readers

The Firework-Maker’s Daughter by Philip Pullman (ISBN 9780440866404)
The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean (ISBN 9780064410915)
Bronze and Sunflower by Cao Wenxuan (ISBN 9781536206371)
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin (ISBN 9780316038638)
Dragonwings by Lawrence Yep (ISBN 9780064400855)

Videos

EXTENSIONS

Explore China with STEM Activities

Build a Floating Compass: Replicate Han Dynasty technology. Magnetize a standard steel sewing needle by rubbing it against a strong magnet in one direction about 30 times. Place the needle on a small piece of foam or a slice of cork floating in a bowl of water, and watch it align itself with the Earth's magnetic field.

After building the compass, have students use Canva for Education (reviewed here) to create a short presentation explaining how magnetic fields work, how the Han Dynasty used compasses, and how modern navigation has evolved. Students can include labeled diagrams, animations, and historical comparisons.

Craft a DIY Abacus: Introduce ancient computing using a shoebox or cereal box, some string, and colorful beads. String rows of beads to build a suanpan (abacus) to practice place value and basic addition.

Ask students to use Scratch (reviewed here) to program a simple virtual abacus or counting tool to connect ancient technology with modern computing.

Make Your Own Paper: Historical records trace the art of papermaking to 105 CE when an official of the Chinese Imperial Court created paper using mulberry bark and other fibers. Follow the directions to make paper using easily available materials.

When finished with their papermaking project, have students use Book Creator (reviewed here) to create a digital book documenting each step of the papermaking process, including photos, audio narration, and historical facts.

Compare and Contrast

While the Ancient Greeks are best known for their mythology, Ancient China also produced many myths to explain the world. Lead students through a study of Greek and Chinese myths and compare and contrast major themes. For middle school and above, this unit plan on Chinese Mythology (reviewed here) is a great start.

Use an AI image-generation tool, such as Piktochart (reviewed here), to create an infographic that compares and contrasts Greek and Chinese myths.

Seven Wonders of the World

The Great Wall of China is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Explore the Great Wall from an interactive view. Learn more about this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Take a virtual tour of the Great Wall of China (reviewed here).
Once students have learned about the Great Wall of China, discuss why it is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Students then choose something local to be on the Seven Wonders of Town (or City or State) list.

Non-technology approach: Students present their wonder by making a poster or a pamphlet.
Technology approach: Students can use Sway (reviewed here) or Adobe Express for Education (reviewed here) to present their wonder.

Finally, hold a classroom vote for students to choose the top seven local wonders. Share the Seven Wonders of your town, city, or state with your local lawmakers to connect to Civics.

Chinese Literature

Write a "Nian" Monster Myth: Read the ancient legend of Nian, a monster scared away by the color red and loud noises—the origin story of Chinese New Year fireworks. Have children write or illustrate their own historical myth explaining a natural event or holiday.
Act out stories from Chinese culture. Explore the Act It Out website (reviewed here) for a lesson plan.

CORRELATION TO STANDARDS

AASL National School Library Standards
- Inquire Shared Foundation, Think Domain - Learners display curiosity and initiative by:
- Inquire Shared Foundation, Share Domain - Learners adapt, communicate, and exchange learning products with others in a cycle that includes:
- Include Shared Foundation, Share Domain - Learners exhibit empathy with and tolerance for diverse ideas by:
- Include Shared Foundation, Grow Domain - Learners demonstrate empathy and equity in knowledge building within the global learning community by:
- Engage Shared Foundation, Think Domain: Learners follow ethical and legal guidelines for gathering and using information by:
- Engage Shared Foundation, Create Domain: Learners use valid information and reasoned conclusions to make ethical decisions in the creation of knowledge by:
- Engage Shared Foundation, Grow Domain: Learners engage with information to extend personal learning by:
- Collaborate Shared Foundation, Think Domain - Learners identify collaborative opportunities by:
- Collaborate Shared Foundation, Create Domain - Learners participate in personal, social, and intellectual networks by:
- Collaborate Shared Foundation, Grow Domain - Learners actively participate with others in learning situations by:
- Explore Shared Foundation, Think Domain - Learners develop and satisfy personal curiosity by:
- Explore Shared Foundation, Create Domain - Learners construct new knowledge by:
- Explore Shared Foundation, Share Domain - Learners engage with the learning community by:
- Explore Shared Foundation, Grow Domain - Learners develop through experience and reflection by:
ISTE Standards for Students
- Empowered Learner 1.1
- Digital Citizen 1.2
- Knowledge Constructor 1.3
- Innovative Designer 1.4
- Global Collaborator 1.7