Satellite View of China

China’s Provinces

Aim: What are the defining political elements of Ancient China? Chapter 5 Notes DO NOW: Read through Peasants’ Protest -What can you derive from the text? -How does this “fit into” your reading regarding Chinese Civilization?

Satellite View of China

China’s Climate Zones

“Brown” China vs. “Green” China Rice Dominant Wheat Dominant Pasture and Oasis Double-crop rice

The Yellow River n Huang He n 2,920 Miles: Tibet to the Yellow Sea n Deposits (loess) fertile, light colored soil –No need for metal tools for generous harvests n Periodic flooding: “ China ’ s sorrow ”

The Earliest Dynasties n Xia –C BCE –Legend -> Founded by Yu –Organized through village network –Hereditary monarchy –Flood control –Rise of cities, bureaucracy, & bronze weapons

Xia > Shang > Zhou n Create a “Top 5” list for your assigned Chinese Dynasty… n What are the defining Characteristics?

Bronze Age Empires

Shang Dynasty BCE n Bronze metallurgy –State monopoly of copper & tin ores. n Horse-drawn chariots, other wheeled vehicles n Large armies – 3,000 – 13,000 strong n Demand of agricultural tribute n Political organization: network of fortified cities, loyal to center –1000 cities –Capital moved six times Impressive architecture at Ao (33 x 66 wall), Yin n Other regional kingdoms coexist: Sanxingdui

Shang Dynasty Burial Practices n Hierarchical social structure n Live burials alongside deceased member of ruling class –Sacrificial victims, mostly slaves –Wives, servants, friends, hunting companions –Later replaced by statuary, often monumental

Shang Religion n Animism – The belief that spirits inhabit everything. n Ancestor Worship n Shang Di – A god who controlled the forces of nature n Oracle Bones

Oracle Bones

Oracle Bones and Early Chinese Writing n Used for communicating with spirit world, determining future –Question written on animal bones, turtle shells –Then heated over fire, cracks examined for omens n Early archaeological evidence of Chinese writing n Evolution of Chinese script –Pictograph to ideograph

Oracle Bone from Shang Dynasty

The Evolution of Chinese Writing During PictographsSemantic-Phonetics

Zhou Literature n The reflections of Confucius n Book of Changes –Manual for divination n Book of History (Zhou propaganda) n Book of Etiquette (Book of Rites) n Book of Songs (…of Poetry or …of Odes) n Little survived –Often written on perishable bamboo strips –Many destroyed by Emperor of Qin dynasty in 221 BCE

Axe Scepter – 1100 BCE - Jade Ceremonial Dagger – 1028 BCE

Shang Urn

Shang Bronzes

Western Zhou: BCE

Zhou Dynasty, BCE n No law codes: rule by decree –“ Mandate of Heaven ” n Aggregation of villages opposed to Shang leadership –Decentralization of authority –Lacked organization efficiency n Development of cheap iron weaponry ends Shang monopoly on Bronze n Early money economy

“T’ian Ming” The Mandate of Heaven 1.The leader must lead by ability and virtue. 2.The dynasty's leadership must be justified by succeeding generations. 3.The mandate could be revoked by negligence and abuse; the will of the people was important.

The Dynastic Cycle The Dynastic Cycle A new dynasty comes to power. “Son of Heaven” Lives of common people improved; taxes reduced; farming encouraged. Problems begin (extensive wars, invasions, etc.) Taxes increase; men forced to work for army. Farming neglected. Govt. increases spending; corruption. Droughts, floods, famines occur. Poor lose respect for govt. They join rebels & attack landlords. Rebel bands find strong leader who unites them. Attack the emperor. Emperor is defeated !! The emperor reforms the govt. & makes it more efficient. Start here 

Early Ideology n Yin and Yang n Yin: female, dark, weak, wet, passive n Yang: male, bright, strong, dry, active n Balance of opposites

Zhou Contributions n Aristocrats n Feudalism –Kings > Local Lords > Peasants Feudal Lords Gain Power n Iron Age n The First Bound Books n Astronomers Study Planets & Eclipses

Silk Worms

Decline of the Zhou Dynasty n Decentralized leadership style allows for building of regional powers –Increasing local independence, refusal to pay Zhou taxes n Iron metallurgy allows for widespread creation of weaponry n Northern invaders weaken Zhou dynasty, beginning 8 th c BCE n Internal dissention: the Period of the Warring States ( BCE)

Social Order n Ruling classes great advantage –Palatial compounds, luxurious lifestyle –Supported by agricultural surplus, tax revenues –Defended by monopoly on bronze weaponry –Hereditary privilege n Support class of artisans, craftsmen n Evidence of long-distance trade, merchant class n Large class of semi servile peasants n Slave class (mostly POW ’ s)

Aim: How did Patriarchy develop within early Chinese dynasties? Course Pre-Test Wednesday Unit 1 Exam Thursday DO NOW: Provide examples from your knowledge of history when gender served as a limitation.

Family and Patriarchy n Devotion to family, ancestor veneration –Family responsible for socialization of children and preservation of cultural traditions n Connection of spirit world to physical world –Ritual sacrifices EXAMPLES? n Father ritual head of family rites (rather than priests) n Earlier prominence of individual female leaders fades in later Shang, Zhou dynasties WHY???????????????????

Women and Marriage in Ancient China n With your partner consider both sources. n Create at least 5 total questions relating to the both sources, n In addition, construct an introduction that would set the scene for the casual reader.

“Chung Kuo” (The “Middle Kingdom”)

Possible Document Questions 1-How did ancient Chinese families feel about the birth of girls as opposed to boys? 2-How did opportunities differ for males and females in ancient China? 3-Why do you think His-Chun’s family decided she should marry the king of the Wu-Sun? 4-How did Hsi-Chun’s life change after marriage?

Nomadic Peoples of Central Asia n Despite geographic boundaries, long distance trade exists while limited in scope n Steppe nomads –Poor lands for cultivation, extensive herding activities –Horses domesticated c BCE, bronze metallurgy in 2900 BCE –Organized under charismatic warrior chiefs n Extensive trade with sedentary cultures in China n Tensions: frequent raiding n Ethnocentrism/Xenophobia

The Yangtze River

Thursday Exam:25/30 MC ?’s and Course ID’s Considerations: n Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5 notes n Classroom Documents n Example: Incorporate each term to explain the historical significance of the given topic: Shang, Mandate of Heaven, Zhou Scale of 1-3