Ancient China
The 4 Old-World River Valley Cultures
Early China The Chinese lived in isolation from the rest of the world Middle Kingdom Less break between RVC and Classical in China WHY?
Geography 3 Major rivers Huang He (Yellow River) Yangtze Xi Jiang
Geography Developed along the Huang He (Yellow River) WHY??? Flooding
Partner Discussion Given what we have learned with the previous three RVCs, what might you conclude the Yellow River’s flooding led the Chinese to do?
Irrigation Systems
Four Thousand Years of Civilization Chinese civilization Many Technologies
Dynasties Dynasties Definition Dynastic Cycle Pattern
Shang Rule: c.1500 – 1100 B.C.E. The Shang Dynasty (1500 to 1100 B.C.E. ) Thirty kings
Shang Religion The Shang were polytheistic Ancestor Veneration Significance Harmonious Connection Between Humans and Nature
The Zhou Dynasty c.1046–256 B.C.E Overthrow of the Shang 1046 B.C.E. Claim Mandate of Heaven What is this???
Mandate of Heaven Definition Importance
Zhou Expansion The Zhou set up… This led to…
Zhou Regional Rulers Ruled by regional rulers Peasants… Feudal… Who were they? Peasants… Feudal…
Noblemen Grew in Power This form of government… However… Why??
Discussion Question What do you suspect the increased power of the regional rulers meant for the Zhou Dynasty?
Warring States Zhou fight a rebellion in 771 B.C.E Competing interests Result Competing interests
Science and Technology By about 2000 B.C.E Tools Well Developed… Military Technology: Horses Fortifications
Science and Technology Advanced astronomy Lack monumental building Why??? Some tombs
The Beginning of writing in China…
eventuallydeveloped into… Pictographs Sun Moon Water eventuallydeveloped into…
Ideographs Developed into…
Modern Chinese characters Calligraphy ~ artistic writing
Trade and Interaction Overland Trade Contact with Nomadic peoples Northwest Effect: Positive Negative