Ancient China Why was this the longest lasting early river valley civilization? What were some advances/achievements from this civilization

Ancient China --Between Huang He River and Yangtze River Ancient China, 2000–200 B.C. Ancient China --Between Huang He River and Yangtze River --Natural Barriers: deserts, mountains, oceans --Longest lasting culture because of its isolation Huang He River Yangtze Extent of Shang Dynasty (Approximate) Extent of Zhou Dynasty Border of modern China

Geography of China Isolated by natural barriers China

Environmental Challenges Solutions Flooding of Huang He Geographic isolation Occasional invasion from north and west Irrigation, dams Very self-reliant because of long distance trade was difficult Construction of the Great Wall of China

Shang Dynasty Dynasties: Ruling family, power passed down Shang dynasty: (1532-1027 BCE) Built elaborate palaces Massive earthen walls around cities Beginning of written language—Pictographs Silk

Social Classes Sharp divisions Feudalism Political system in which nobles are granted the use of lands that legally belong to the king In exchange, the nobles owe loyalty and military service to the king and protection to the people on the land

Writing System Written and spoken languages are not connected. Unified people Difficult language/illiteracy: Characters stand for ideas, and there are over 50,000 characters. Oracle Bones

Technological advances Bronze -> Cast iron Silk Chariots Coined money

Why do they get to rule? Mandate of Heaven: the divine approval to govern Justified right to rule and right to overthrow Required a sign from the heavens that a dynasty no longer had right to rule.

How do dynasties change? Violent War Winner’s prize is Mandate Winner becomes new ruler Civil War Ruler no longer has Mandate of Heaven. Who should Rule? Golden Age Life is good Mandate of Heaven New Ruler Problems begin Corruption, Instability, War, Taxes, Etc. Natural Disaster Famine, Drought, Overpopulation disease Start Dynastic Cycle

Zhou Dynasty 1122-256 BCE Used the Mandate of Heaven to justify their rule. Slight expansion, but some territorial loss from invasions Ruled 900 years Iron (stronger tools for farming) Confucius born 11

Confucianism – Key Beliefs Moral, political, and social philosophy Natural Order – each person has role in society, which reflects position in universe Filial Piety – respect parents and elders In a relationship, there is a superior and an inferior. Superior shows love and responsibility while the inferior must show loyalty and obedience. Good gov’t could be restored if society is organized around 5 basic relationships Ruler and subject Father and son Husband and wife Older brother and younger brother Friend and friend