Confucianism was founded by the philosopher Confucius around 551 to 479 B.C. It was initially based on Confucius’s thoughts and influenced how people lived, their personal behaviour, government, education, art, …show more content…
These inventions both gave the Chinese people something to trade with, and helped shape the world we live in today. For example, today we still use paper, gunpowder, the magnetic compass and porcelain. Paper was first manufactured around 105 A.D and then was introduced gradually around the world. Gunpowder was invented in around 1000 A.D and spread to Europe during the Mongol invasion of Asia around 1200 to 1300 A.D. The Chinese didn't use the gunpowder as a weapon, instead, they used it for firecrackers and entertainment. Ironically, the use of guns and cannons powered by gunpowder gave the Europeans an advantage against the Chinese in the Anglo-Chinese Wars (the Opium Wars) of the 1800’s. The magnetic compass was invented in Ancient China around 1100 A.D for navigation. Arab merchants brought the idea back to the Middle-East and Europe. Porcelain was created during the Sui Dynasty (581 to 618 A.D) and was enhanced during the Tang Dynasty (618 to 906 A.D). A well-known porcelain maker was Tao-Yue (608 to 678 A.D), who used a special white clay from the Yangtze River. Porcelain made in China was highly prized in Europe. China was the only major producer until a German physicist discovered how to replicate the process by firing china at a high temperature in the late 1800’s. Ancient Chinese inventions were pivotal to the success of Ancient China because they not only gave the Chinese people something to trade, but helped shape the world we live in