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Geographic Considerations
Ancient China was isolated Oceans to East Gobi Desert to North Mountains to West Mountains to South
Yellow and Yangtze Rivers formed corridor for irrigation River flooding was a
problem
Shang Dynasty (1800-1027 BC)
First dynasty confirmed in historical record
Info about dynasty comes from different sources Archaeological
record Oracle bones Writings
Shang Dynasty - Government
Military was maintained to fight against nomadic steppe people to N, W
King ruled rural land while nobles ruled semi-independent city-states Paid tribute to king in
exchange for food, trade
Shang Dynasty - Society
Very hierarchal, warlike Appear to have been
herders transitioning to agricultural lifestyle
Male dominated society Group was more important
than the individual Family was the center of
everyday life Ancestor worship was
common Isolation meant no trade;
thus, Chinese were self-sufficient
Shang Technology
Metallurgy Bronze metallurgy was
outstanding Iron casting introduced
late in kingdom; better than anything Europe had until middle ages
Military used chariots Writing system
Pictographic language Over 10,000 characters –
needed to know 1,500 to be barely literate!
Shang - Technology
Writing, continued Modern written
Chinese language a direct descendant of this ancient language
Language unified a large, diverse culture Remember how an
empire is unified…
Pictographs
Semantic-Phonetics
Zhou Dynasty (1027-256 BC)
Nomadic people who invaded, overthrew Shang
Absorbed Shang culture Mandate of Heaven
Belief that rulers were the “son of heaven” and governed by divine right
Dethronement of ruler proved that he had lost blessings of Gods to rule
Bad things happening in society meant the ruler was losing divine support
People were justified in revolting, overthrowing their king
Theory explained and justified the demise of the Xia, Shang dynasties and supported legitimacy of present and future rulers
Mandate of Heaven
The Dynastic Cycle, showing how the
Mandate of Heaven worked
The Dynastic Cycle, showing how the
Mandate of Heaven worked
Start here A new dynasty
comes to power.
A new dynasty
comes to power.
The emperorreforms the govt.& makes it more
efficient.
The emperorreforms the govt.& makes it more
efficient.
Lives of common people improved;
taxes reduced;farming encouraged.
Lives of common people improved;
taxes reduced;farming encouraged.
Problems begin(extensive wars,invasions, etc.)
Problems begin(extensive wars,invasions, etc.)
Taxes increase;men forced towork for army.
Farming neglected.
Taxes increase;men forced towork for army.
Farming neglected.
Govt. increasesspending; corruption.
Govt. increasesspending; corruption.
Droughts,floods,
famines occur.
Droughts,floods,
famines occur.
Poor loserespect for govt.They join rebels
& attack landlords.
Poor loserespect for govt.They join rebels
& attack landlords.
Rebel bands findstrong leader who
unites them.Attack the emperor.
Rebel bands findstrong leader who
unites them.Attack the emperor.
Emperor isdefeated !!Emperor isdefeated !!
Zhou dynasty - Government
Transition from city states of Shang to more centralized system
Central government of Zhou exercised greater control over local government
Zhou Gong,Founder of Zhou Dynasty
Zhou - Technology
Built many roads, canals
Coined money which helped spur trade (why?)
Iron casting Iron weapons a
huge advance over bronze wielding nomads
Took Europe about 2000 years to catch up to Zhou
Zhou “spade”Coin, ca. 7th CBC
Fall of Zhou: “Time of Warring States”(481-256 BC)
Nomads from North, West sacked the capital and killed the king
Nobles asserted local power, refusing to be ruled by surviving members of the royal family
Period characterized by general collapse of Shang / Zhou civilization and values