China

Shang & Zhou Dynasty Chapter 3.4

Shang Dynasty 1766 -1122BCE Developed in northern China Large palaces and walled cities have been discovered King ruled a small portion Princes and Nobles governed most of the land Noblewomen may have had some status during this time period

Shang Dynasty Social Structure Royal Family & Noble Warriors Warriors used leather armor, bronze weapons, and horse-drawn chariots Artisans and Merchants Artisans provided goods for nobles Merchants exchanged Chinese goods for those not found in China Peasants Majority of people Farmed All members of the family worked in the field Men had to fight alongside noblemen if war broke out between noble families

Zhou Dynasty 1122-256 BCE Dynastic Cycle Claimed the Mandate of Heaven to justify rebellion Crash Course New Dynasty Corruption Loses mandate of Heaven Revolt New group claims the mandate of Heaven

Zhou Feudalism Feudalism- A system of government in which local lords governed their own lands but owed military service and other forms of support to the ruler Supporters were given chunks of land and then distributed it to peasants to farm Feudal lords gained more power than the Zhou kings during the 800s BCE

Zhou Growth Ironworking knowledge reached China in the 600s BCE Farmers produced more food due to improvements Began using copper coins New roads and canals Increase in population Nobles expanded territory

Zhou Decline 256 BCE China was a large, wealthy, and highly developed civilization Zhou rulers were too weak to control the feudal lords who constantly fought over land (Warring States Period) One strong warrior imposed political unity and started the Qin Dynasty in 221 BCE