The First Dynasties of China

Lesson 2, pages: 150-157

The Shang Dynasty

• One family ruled for 600 years: 1700BC-1100BC.

• Lands were located along the Heung He River.

• New towns created by giving land to relatives.

• First capital: Shang (destroyed)

• Second capital: Anyang (excavated)

Shang Towns

• Important production centers

• Farmers and workers provided food, clothes, and goods to the Rulers.

• Soldiers were called up when needed by the Empire.

• Prisoners of war became slaves

Shang Culture

• Rulers were buried in elaborate tombs: Lady Hao

Chinese Writing

• Writing system developed from pictures dating before the Shang Dynasty.

• Characters became more simplified over time.

• Symbols replaced pictures.

• Documents were written on bamboo and silk.

Oracle Bones

• Priests heated bones until they cracked.

• Patterns in the cracks were “read” and thought to tell the future.

• Shang rulers used them to guide important decisions.

• Remnants valuable for the writing samples.

Religious Beliefs

• Ancestors were important and helped people – especially the king.

• Ancestors lived in another world but could control life on earth.

• Polytheism – worshiped many gods/goddesses.

• When you died you became an ancestor.

• People had altars in their homes to make offerings to their ancestors.

Shang Gods & Goddesses

• Controlled nature• First order: nature

spirits like river, wind, earth, and thunder gods/goddesses.

• Second order: gods/goddesses linked to specific natural features like a certain river or mountain.

Bronze Age

• http://www.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/history/dynasty-shang.cfm

Shang Defeat!

• West of the Shang Empire was the Zhou Empire.

• Alternated peace/war• 1100BC – Wuwang (King

of Zhou) defeated the Shang army.

• New Dynasty: Zhou Dynasty 1100BC to 771BC.

Zhou Dynasty

• China’s classic age because of the growth and creativity of this time.

• The Five Classics written during this time:– Book of Poetry– Book of History– Spring and Summer Annals– Book of Changes– Book of Rituals

Mandate of Heaven

• Zhou principle that explained why they had the right to start a new dynasty.

• Governments may only rule as long as they do so fairly, benefit the people, and perform proper religious duties.

• Shang ruler had been an evil man, so they were justified.

Duke of Zhou

• Wuwang died.• Son of Wuwang only an

infant.• Uncle of son (Duke of

Zhou) rules in place of the baby.

• Considered a hero and great leader because he could have killed the baby and took control himself, but didn’t.

• Defended Zhou against a rebellion and attacks from other kingdoms.

Expansion

• Trade expanded• Roads built• Canals built to

connect cities and rivers.

• Swamps drained• Metals coins used

instead of seashells (Shang Dynasty)

Rule

• Relatives & friends ruled fortified cities across the empire.

• For their 200 year rule, Zhou leaders kept peace.

• 771 BC – the Zhou king was killed by invaders. 2 kings claimed the throne.

• During the fighting over the throne local rulers began fighting with each other.

Warring States Period

• After the end of the Zhou dynasty, the local ruler continued to fight with each other for hundreds of years.

• 475BC - 221BC

Iron

• Blast furnaces were used to make iron stronger and more durable.

• Used to make weapons like daggers and swords.– Constant border wars

• Made spades, knives and sickles for agricultural use.– Farming became easier

Horses and Chariots

• Learned horseback riding from their neighbors on the steppes.

• Trained their soldiers to fight on horseback and in chariots.

• Harnesses for chariots were not improved on for many centuries later.

Warring States Period

• 475BC – 221BC• Turbulent time of fighting

between local rulers• Great cultural advances

– Each ruler wanted to lure the best and smartest to his kingdom.

• “Hundred Schools” Philosophy

• Confucius & Lao Zi

Confucius• Kong Fu Zi was a great scholar. • Born in the state of Lu in 551 BC• He was a government consultant• Students wrote down his

teachings– The Analects

• Believed society could be fair and good.

– People should act with honor and humility.

• Education was the key to happiness!

– Helping others• Benevolence, or ren, preceeds

good governments.– Goodness would trickle down.

Daoism

• Lao Zi was born in 604BC• Dao means, “the way”• Nature should guide

people in their lives.• Material goods and big

jobs were not important.• Live in harmony with

nature.• Ying & Yang symbol