Early China 1500 B.C.-300 B.C.
Patterns in Chinese History Ethnocentricism Xenophobia Creativity & Innovation Low Status of Women Conflict with Nature Authoritarian Dynastic Cycle Cultural Conservatism Education Valued Hard lives of Peasants Importance of Family
Geography Civ. developed in the Huang He River Valley of N. China Most of China’s population was (and is) concentrated in river valleys and along the coast
The Shang Dynasty First Chinese dynasty (1500BC-1000BC) Developed new techniques for making bronze Oracle bones and shells were used by priests for fortune telling Extensive human sacrifice
Subterranean Shang tomb
Headless skeletons found in a Shang tomb
Shang bronze vessel
The Zhou Dynasty 1000BC-500BC Invaded and conquered the Shang Claimed “Mandate of Heaven” Established a feudal system Ended with the Warring States Period
The Warring States Period 500-221BC Centralized control by Zhou weakened 7 independent kingdoms battled for power New military technologies developed Ended with unification by the Qin
“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.”
“A leader leads by example, not by force.”
“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”
“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
“Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.”