Section 20.1 Early China

Chinese Civilization Begins People farmed as early as 7000 BC Centered on two rivers – Yangzi & Yellow Grew rice, millet, and wheat in the fertile land around the Chang Jiang (Yangzi) River and Huang He (Yellow) River

Shang Dynasty First dynasty we know of Ruled from 1500’s – 1100’s BC Developed China’s first writing system with over 2000 symbols (China’s writing system today is based on symbols used during the Shang period)

Shang Dynasty Evidence of Shang writing was found in cattle bones and turtle shells – oracle bones (Priests would carve questions into these bones or shells which were then heated causing them to crack. Priests believed they could read these cracks and predict the future)

Shang Dynasty Achievements 1 st writing system Oracle bones Tools/weapons from bronze & jade Calendar based on the moon (lunar)

Transfer of Power The transfer of power from one dynasty to another is called China’s dynastic cycle

Zhou Dynasty (Zhou Dynasty overthrew Shang Dynasty in 1100’sBC – Lasted until around 771BC) Mandate of heaven- the idea that heaven chose China’s ruler and gave him or her power

Zhou Dynasty Under Zhou emperor became top of society Emperors gave land to people for loyalty or military service Land receivers became lords Peasants and slaves worked the land

Warring States Period When invaders attacked capital many lords would not fight… Result: Emperor was overthrown China broke into many kingdoms that fought This period of disorder is called the Warring States Period ( BC)

Qin Dynasty One state was strong enough to defeat all of its rivals The Qin Dynasty emerged victorious from the Warring States Period

Qin Dynasty – BC Shi Huangdi – 1 st leader of Qin Dynasty (This name means “first emperor”) He expanded and unified China He did not share power Burned books – censorship Obsessed with afterlife

Shi Huangdi He took power from lords, (they did not enjoy as many rights under him) He moved noble families to capital – Xi’an – why?

Fall of Qin Dynasty The Qin Dynasty fell apart when Shi Huangdi died Following rulers couldn’t keep China unified

Qin Achievements Shi Huangdi created… a uniform system of laws a uniform system of money a uniform system of writing many roads and canals many walls for protection (Great Wall) army of terra cotta warriors

Great Wall Great Wall- a barrier that linked earlier walls that stood near China’s northern border

The Great Wall Why would a government put so much effort and money into building a wall over 13,000 miles long, feet high, and feet wide?

The Terracotta Army Created by Shi Huangdi, buried with him Over 8,000 soldiers, horses, chariots, etc. Life-size, made of terracotta Soldiers originally had weapons Burial site size of football field Found in 1974 by farmers Xi’an, China (Qin capital) Major tourist attraction World Heritage Site

The Terracotta Army