#4 Social Studies- Civilizations Develop Religions

At the time of the expansion of the Roman Empire in the first century B.C., the belief systems of the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans still centered on a group of gods. The tribes in what is now Israel practiced Judaism and believed in one God. With the birth of Jesus Christ in the Palestine town of Bethlehem, the religious practices and beliefs of the Western world would soon be affected by a new religion called Christianity. This new religion was founded on the belief that Jesus was a Messiah that Jewish law had prophesied.


  After Jesus' death, Christian ideas and beliefs were spread by a small group of men called disciples. Eventually, because Rome was the center of western civilization at that time, it became the center of the Church.The leader of the new church was given the title Pope. The regional leaders, called bishops, expanded Christianity throughout Europe in a variety of methods, including religious war.


  Beginning in A.D. 1095, Europe kings organized the Crusades to fight the enemies of the Roman Catholic Church. Christian knights and soldiers battled for ownership of the Holy Land (in current day Israel and Palestine) against the Muslims. The Muslim Arabs followed the religion of Islam, founded by the prophet Mohammed in A.D. 612. They held Palestine until Islamic Turks took it and began preventing Christians from making safe pilgrimages to the Holy Land and to reconnect the two branches of Christianity (Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox) that had been separated since the fall of Rome.


  Religions developed in the Far East as well. Hinduism is a long-established religion practiced by millions. This religion is based on a belief that all people are born into a particular caste, or class, and must do what is expected within that caste. Like Hinduism, Buddhism is practiced by millions. It began in the sixth century B.C. in India, and teaches that one's soul will attain Nirvana, a divine state free of earthly ills, through self-denial and correct living.


  The Chinese philosopher Confucius was a contemporary of Buddha. Confucius teachings stressed social harmony and challenged everyone to live under high moral codes of conduct. Unlike Hinduism and Buddhism, however, Confucius is not a religion but a philosophy, whose goal is harmony on earth.


Chinese Dynasties


  Even before the Roman Empire, Chinese dynasties had been flourishing in Asia for centuries. Confucius lived during the Chou dynasty, a time of warfare among land-owning feudal lords. The first emperor of China founded the Ch'in Dynasty (221 B.C.-206 B.C.).
Historian have traced the origin of the name China back to this word. Ch'in centralized the monarchy, organized the country into regions called provinces and appointed officials to carry out imperial rule. One of the longest lasting contributions of this dynasty was the construction of the Great Wall to serve as a protective border against invaders. 


  The next dynasty in China was the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220). The Han ruler was responsible for successfully driving back the nomadic warriors that threatened to take over the north and west sides of China. He also reestablished the importance of education and Confucian thought .


Chinese Dynasties- EXERCISE 4


Directions: Read the following questions and select the best answer.


 Based on the information regarding the Chinese dynasties, label the statements as fact (F) or opinion (O).


_____ The Great Wall of China is still a good defense system.
_____ The Han Dynasty was the most successful dynasty.
_____ Confucius lived during the Chou Dynasty.
_____ The name China originated from the Ch'in dynasty.

Answer: opinion, opinion, fact, fact.