What+I+Want+to+Learn+-+Chinese+Culture+-+Ryan

A alchemist was mixing chemicals to make a elixir of life but instead he invented gunpowder. || Shenzhen, population 12 million. Guangzhou, population 7 million. Hong Kong, population 7 million. Dongguan, population 6.5 million. Tianjin, population 5 million. || The afterlife and religion were very important under Shang rule and as such sacrifice, both [|animal] and human, were a large part of Shang culture. Under the Shang Dynasty, Ancient China saw the beginning of commodity exchange, although the society was still predominately based on agriculture and hunting. ||
 * What is the cultural differences between each dynasty ||  ||
 * About the great wall (how & why it was made) ||  ||
 * What is chinas current population || The **population** of **China** on March 17th **2011** is approximately 1357022986 ||
 * Who (Chinese inventors) was responsible for the invention of gunpowder || A Alchemist (Name unkowned) ||
 * Did the Chinese find any peaceful ways to use the gun powder for their culture || used this discovery for fireworks ||
 * How did the Chinese live in the past and how it is different of how they live today. || The history of China reaches back over 5,000 years. In that time, China has created a culture rich in philosophy and the arts. China has seen the invention of amazing products and technologies such as silk, paper, gunpowder, and movable-type printing. ||
 * How was gun powder first discovered || <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 15pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">its discovery was an accident!
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are some major city's in China an their population... || <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 15pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shanghai, population 15 million.
 * What was the Xia dynasty || The Xia dynasty marks the first dynasty of Ancient China; however, until 1959 the existence of this dynasty was heavily questioned. The Xia Dynasty was long considered to be a myth as the only records were in China’s oral history. In 1959 archaeological evidence was found which supported the oral history’s claims. Despite this the existence of the Xia Dynasty is not universally accepted. ||
 * What was the Shang Dynasty || The Shang Dynasty emerged in response to the failings of the Xia dynasty. This dynasty was formally established in 1700 B.C. and continued to 1027 B.C. The Shang dynasty was the first group in Ancient China to use written records developed for the purpose of divination. This documentation suggests that the Shang Dynasty was ruled by 30 Kings and had seven unique capitals.
 * What was the Zhou Dynasty || The Zhou dynasty came to power when the Zhou tribe defeated the Shang ruler in war in 1027 B.C. The Zhou would remain in power until 221 B.C. when Ancient China would give way to Imperial China. The Zhou dynasty is divided into the two distinct eras of Western Zhou and Eastern Zhou rule each with a unique royal line and capital. The Zhou were able to defeat the Shang due to their ability to gain the support of frustrated city states as the Zhou believed in diplomacy. ||
 * How was chinas econimy? || For 18 of the last 20 centuries, China has had the largest economy in the world. Before that time, the economy of ancient China introduced to the world a number of <span style="position: static; text-decoration: underline !important;">[|economic] concepts, like the use of coins and money, land distribution for non-aristocrats’, and the development of a merchant <span style="position: static; text-decoration: underline !important;">[|class] . ||
 * Did china have one of the best econimys. || Yes ||
 * What is even more about the chinese history of gunpowder? || Today gunpowder is associated with military use; however, gunpowder was actually invented by Taoist monks in Ancient China who were searching through alchemy for the answer to human immortality. Perhaps, it is due to this original search that the Chinese word for gunpowder translates directly as flaming medicine. Although the monks failed to find immortality, the mixture of sulphur, saltpetre and charcoal that was early gunpowder was not originally used for military purposes. Ancient China originally used gunpowder for signal flares and fireworks before being adapted to military use. Ancient China furthered the invention of gunpowder as its military capacity continued to develop. Gunpowder was used militarily to develop fire arrows and primitive rockets in times of conflict throughout Chinese history. ||
 * What is the story behind the invention "Compass" || Another invention of Ancient China’s much like gunpowder was invented with an intended purpose that was different from what it has evolved into—this is the compass. The compass evolved in Ancient China to a directional device; but, it was invented for the use of divination. It is because of this original intent that the compass when invented in Ancient China used south as the cardinal direction. Ancient China invented the compass in part due to luck as lodestone, which is common in China, is naturally magnetic towards both the poles. Ancient China placed a metal ladle on the lodestone and used it to tell direction. The compass was important to China as it was not only culturally significant but also useful in Chinese and modern day exploration. ||
 * What is the story behind the chinese invention "paper" || Many inventions are created out of necessity and the motivation for Ancient China’s invention of paper was no different. In China, particularly in the <span style="position: static; text-decoration: underline !important;">[|royal court], texts were highly valued; however, before paper was created the Chinese were forced to record their texts on stone or bone. This situation meant that books and documents were heavy, bulky, and difficult to transport. The only way to avoid utilizing heavy material was to utilize silk which was a valued invention in its own right. The invention of the paper making process helped to solve these problems. Ancient China created the mixture of fibres that when dried created the first of what would become modern day paper. The Chinese invention of paper allowed the world to alter its system of recording and continues to be important today. ||
 * What is the story behind the chinese invention "Silk" || Although silk is naturally created by silkworms, China invented how to harvest the silk and use it in clothing and paper at times. Silk was also a vital invention to Ancient China’s economy, as <span style="position: static; text-decoration: underline !important;">[|Europe] imported a great deal of silk. Ancient China’s creation of silk allowed China to connect to the outside world through trade and led to the creation of the <span style="position: static; text-decoration: underline !important;">[|Silk Road] which was an overland trade route. Silk allowed China to interact with the world through an invention that until the silkworm eggs were smuggled out of China into Europe was unique to Ancient China. These four inventions are simply a few of many that Ancient China contributed to the world. Ancient Chinese developments are often overshadowed by European accomplishments; however, these inventions prove that China’s innovation shaped not only their ancient civilization but that they continue to influence the modern world. ||
 * What was the daily life in ancient China? || Daily life in Ancient China is as mysterious as it is old. Ancient Chinese rituals, society, customs and way of life are topics of interest to historians and students alike. ||
 * What was the gap between the rich and the poor? || The Chinese society was structurally complex and not much is known about it. Research is still on. Life in old Chinese society on a normal working day was hard and industrious for the __farmers__ while luxurious and laid back for nobles and merchants. ||
 * What was the position of chinese women? || The women of ancient China were not empowered in their society and male domination was very prevalent. The women were asked to take care of the children and household chores whereas the men worked in <span style="position: static; text-decoration: underline !important;">far ms. The women never had their choice in marriage and were not included in any decision making regarding the household or farms or any important affairs. ||
 * How did the Xia dynasty end || It is told that the Xia Dynasty was overthrown when the last Emperor, Jie, became tyrannical which led to an uprising of the people. ||
 * How did the Shang dynasty end. || The Shang dynasty frequently engaged in warfare with the North and like the preceding Xia dynasty was overthrown due to an inability to sustain the people’s support. ||
 * How did "foot binding" hurt chinese people || The Chinese had many peculiar customs such as foot binding. Girls at the age of puberty were made to go through this painful practice. Their toes were broken and bandaged. This normally reduced the size of their feet. This process continued for a long time. ||