Early Civilization in China 3 Early Civilization in China How did geography influence early Chinese civilization? How did Chinese culture take shape under the Shang and the Zhou? What were key cultural achievements in early China?

3 The Geography of China As in Egypt and Mesopotamia, Chinese civilization began in a river valley, the Huang He. China was the most isolated of the civilizations. Long distances and physical barriers separated China from, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Egypt, the Middle East, and India. What are they? Isolation contributed to the Chinese belief that China was the center of the earth and the only civilization.

Ancient China

PEKING MAN Pre-Historic China 500,000 years ago !!! I’m not kidding!! Swedish geologist Johan Gunnar Andersson and American palaeontologist Walter W. Granger came to Zhoukoudian, China in search of prehistoric fossils in 1921. They were directed to the site at Dragon Bone Hill by local quarry men, where Andersson recognised deposits of quartz that were not native to the area. Immediately realising the importance of this find he turned to his colleague and announced, "Here is primitive man, now all we have to do is find him!"[4]

Longshan was a tribal but specialized culture in China, centered on the central and lower Yellow River and dated from about 3000 BC to 2000 BC. high level of skill in pottery making, the establishment of cities, as rammed earth walls and moats Rice cultivation Early small scale silk production Divination using cracked cattle bones Beginning of Chinese Writing

夏朝 Xia Dynasty: From Myth to Reality(1959) ca. 2070 BC–ca. 1600 BC Capital: Yangcheng United surrounding warring tribes to control the flooding of the River Yu the Great succeeded after 13 years! Diverted the river via canals; not by dikes Establishment of Feudalism and hereditary monarchy Slavery Currency: Cowries Astronomy Calendar based on the Great Dipper (Lunar) Development of Animal Husbandry

商朝 Shang Dynasty Bronze workers Development of writing system 1600 BC–1046 BC Mr. Jason -> Bronze workers Development of writing system to over 3,000 characters/symbols Record keeping using turtle shells Ancestral worship Military superiority

周朝 Zhou Dynasty 1045 BC–256 BC Philosophy Bureaucracy Economic growth The looooooooooongest dynasty

Hundred Schools of Thought The fish trap exists because of the fish; once you've gotten the fish you can forget the trap. The rabbit snare exists because of the rabbit; once you've gotten the rabbit you can forget the snare. Words exist because of meaning; once you have the meaning you can forget the words. Where can I find a man who has forgotten words so I can have a few words with him?        -Zhuangzi What one does not wish for oneself, one ought not to do to anyone else. -Confucius People are submissive to power, and few of them can be influenced by doctrines of righteousness. -Han Feizi Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. –Lao Tzu

The Dynastic Cycle in China 3 The Dynastic Cycle in China The dynastic cycle refers to the rise and fall of dynasties.

Chinese civilization took shape under the Shang and Zhou. 3 Chinese civilization took shape under the Shang and Zhou. Zhou Dynasty (1027 B.C.–256 B.C.) Shang Dynasty (1650 B.C.–1027 B.C.) Gained control of corner of northern China along Huang He. Drove off nomads from northern steppes and deserts. Held complex religious beliefs. Developed written language used by all Chinese people. Overthrew the Shang. Promoted idea of Mandate of Heaven. Set up feudal state. Economy and commerce grew. Population increased.

Cultural Achievements 3 Cultural Achievements The Chinese made progress in many areas during the Shang and Zhou periods. Discovered how to make silk thread. Silk became China’s most valuable export. Trade route to the Middle East became known as Silk Road. Made the first books from wood or bamboo. Studied the movement of planets and recorded eclipses of the sun. Developed accurate calendar with 365 1/4 days. Made remarkable achievements in the art of bronzemaking.