2 applying geography skills why do you think the han

2. Applying Geography
Skills Why do you think
the Han expanded into
modern Vietnam rather
than move west?
Han Empire at greatest extent,
A.D.
210
Regions under Han protectorate, 59
B.C.
–
A.D.
23
Great Wall in Han period
Modern-day border

Papermaking in Han China
T
he ancient Chinese were responsible for four remarkable inventions
that were crucial to the development of modern technology: the
magnetic compass, paper, printing, and gunpowder. How to
make paper was one of their early discoveries.
The oldest piece of paper found in China dates from the first
century
B
.
C
. Made from hemp fibers, it was thick, rough, and
useless for writing. That was not a problem for the ancient
Chinese, however, because they preferred to write on bamboo
or silk.
Paper with writing on it dates from around
A
.
D
. 100. By this
time, the Chinese had figured out how to make paper of better
quality. After hemp or linen rags were soaked in water, they
were mixed with potash and mashed into a pulp. A frame with a
fine bamboo mesh was lowered into this vat of pulp. When the
frame was removed, it held a thin sheet of pulp. Any extra water
was removed before the sheets of paper were hung up to dry.
The art of papermaking spread westward from China begin-
ning in the eighth century
A
.
D
. First India and then the Arab
world developed the technique. The Arab cities of Baghdad,
Damascus, and Cairo all had large papermaking industries.
Paper was shipped from these centers to the West, but Europeans
did not begin their production of paper until the twelfth century.
Describing What did the Chinese use to make paper?
A contemporary artisan demonstrates
ancient papermaking techniques.
Bamboo is lifted
out of China’s
Mekong River.
Thus, the term describes a system in which every
family member had his or her place. The concept is
important in Confucianism, as you will see later in
this section.
What explains the importance of the family in
ancient China? The need to work together on the
land was a significant factor. In ancient times, as
today, farming in China required the work of many
people. Children, too, were essential to the family’s
needs. They worked in the fields during their early
years. Later, sons were expected to take over the bur-
den of physical labor on the family plots and provide
for the well-being of their parents.
Male supremacy was a key element in the social
system of ancient China, as it was in the other civi-
lizations that we have examined. The male was con-
sidered so important because he was responsible for
providing food for his family. In ancient China, men
worked in the fields. They also governed society
and were the warriors, scholars, and government
ministers. Women raised the children and worked
in the home.
Explaining Why were males consid-
ered to be superior to females in Chinese families?
The Importance of Confucius
The civilization of China is closely tied to
Confucius (in pinyin, Kongfuzi), a philosopher who
lived in the sixth century
B
.
C
. Confucius traveled the
length of China observing events and seeking
employment as a political counselor. He had little
success in his job search and instead became a
teacher to hundreds of students who sought his wise
advice. Some of his students became ardent disciples
of their teacher and recorded his sayings. Until the
twentieth century, almost every Chinese pupil stud-
ied his sayings. This made Confucianism, or the
Reading Check
44 CHAPTER 1 The First Civilizations and Empires

system of Confucian ideas, an important part of
Chinese history.
Confucius believed that the universe was made in
such a way that if humans would act in harmony
with its purposes, their own affairs would prosper.
Much of his concern was with human behavior. The
key to proper behavior was to behave in accordance
with the Dao (Way).