Ancient China

Xia, first dynasty. No evidence that it ever existed.

Shang dynasty; (1750 B.C.E.) A clan culture (common families).

King was the intermediary between the gods and the people. Had a military aristocracy as regional governors.

Last Shang king defeated (1027 B.C.E.) by Wu Wang of the Zhou clan. Adopted concept of “The Mandate from Heaven.”

Kings made by the gods. King must be a moral servant of the people. If not, king loses authority and new king arises.

Affects : 1.Divine intervention is the cause for political change. 2.It can be applied to any government. 3.Reinforces Confucius idea of moral behavior.

Had feudal system of government. King gave nobles complete power over individual regions.

Over time, regions become independent kingdoms, fighting for control of China. Called “Warring States Period.” Ended the dynasty (256 B.C.E.)

Early settlements were located along the Yellow and Yangzi rivers.

Isolated by the eastern deserts and mountains. No trade with other cultures.

Rivers called “The Great Sorrow.” due to massive yearly flooding.

Religion: Polytheistic religion. Representations of all aspects of nature.

Mountains/big trees were steps to the heavens. Birds were messengers to the gods.

Practiced ancestor worship. Belief that dead ancestors could act as advocates with the gods.

Belief in an afterlife. King's buried with scarified servants and horses to accompany them at death.

Ritual divination (communication with ancestors) The importance of written language in Chinese culture can be traced to this earliest use of symbols.