Early Development of China September 10, 2012 6th Hour By Connor, Jessee, Jacob, and Ian

Political By the Zhou Dynasty a political ideology had occurred during the early civilization of China. A ruler over China had emerged who was known as the “Son of Heaven”. He was a monarch and by the “Mandate of Heaven” (his political ideology) he had to rule with benevolence to maintain social harmony. The Chinese government was extremely centralized, giving great power to a small group or person.

Interaction with Environment The early Chinese civilization altered the flow of water making great flood channels. The altered flow of water created great channels which aloud water in different areas of the early Chinese civilization allowing huge flood planes which greatly altered the early Chinese environment, helping agriculture greatly.

Religions and Belief Systems The Shang Dynasty beliefs were the basis of Confucianism and Chinese thinking. They focused on their ancestors, having more than 5 rituals specifically “hosting” them. Their chief god was “Di”. He was believed to be able to control nature and send good fortune or disaster to those who deserved it. Their deceased kings were often referred to with a “Di-” in front of their name, showing their respect of their elders and their religious status. (Theobald 3)

Arts and Sciences The Shang Dynasty was the first time bronze tools and ritual bronze vessels were produced in royal workshops. The workshops casted items with bronze such as jewelry and weapons. (Theobald,1) Pottery, also known as ceramics, were also an important part of the Shang workshops. Some of the pottery is carved with patterns that are identical with the decorations seen on the jewelery. (Theobald, 2) (above) an unearthed ancient Chinese relic, believed to be used for rituals. (left) Examples of animal-shaped Jade carving materials. (Theobald, 2)

Technology Wu, an early Chinese monarch of the Xia Dynasty developed Flood Control Projects to control water flow. This was a technological advancement of great scale because the Chinese could regulate water flow to different areas over large distances. A writing system existed in China in ancient times. It used oracle bones and pictographs, it was originally used for divination (predicting the future) and was used in the Shang dynasty’s royal court.

Economic The Chinese economy was agriculture centric (very usual in that period), using the silk road to trade goods, technologies, and ideas greatly expanded the Chinese economy. Also the silk road enabled trans-civilization and trans-ecological exchanges to occur, aiding the complex society even more. The Chinese labor force, which built many great palaces and tombs, was seldom comprised of slaves.

Social Chinese monarchs bestowed special clothing, banners, chariots, weapons and ornaments. These gifts were regulated by social class and their roles in the government as a whole. For example, a General may get a chariot, whereas a scribe may get clothing. The poor did intense physical labor whereas the wealthy did no physical labor and had better material goods.

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Sources Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World: A Brief Global History with Sources. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins, 2011. Print. Theobald, Ulrich. Technology N.P.2000. 9-11-12 http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Myth/shang-tech.html. Web. Theobald, Ulrich. Arts N.P. 2000. 9-11-12 http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Myth/shang-arts.html. Web. Theobald, Ulrich. Religion N.P. 2000. 9-11-12 http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Myth/shang-religion.html. Web. Christian, David. "Silk Roads or Steppe Roads? The Silk Roads in World History." Journal of World History 11.1 (2000): 1-26. Print.