China: Shang and Zhou Dynasties

Chinese Geography:

Geography… Relatively isolated by deserts and mountains from other urban centers like India Large land area fostered diverse regionalism-difficult topography, most live in eastern third of territory Three rivers Yellow/Huang He (“China’s Sorrow), Yangzi, Xijiang all flow west to east thus does not link north and south LOESS-yellowish silt=fertile for crops Regional traditions-food, crafts, silkworms, pottery, jade “Middle Kingdom”=ethnocentrism

Early Chinese Agriculture Food reflected regional variations Two distinct traditions Cold, dry north=drought resistant crops like wheat and millet Warm, wet south=rice STAPLE FOOD Highly productive agriculture key to China’s success

Shang China Horse-drawn chariots and bronze Centralized authority=coordinated irrigation projects Kings=patriarchal figures, authoritative Cultural innovations=glazed pottery and decimal system Harsh masters, practicing human and animal sacrifice Cultural innovations=elaborate writing system and divination using animal bones and tortoise shells (to read future) Social hierarchy=landowning aristocrats, commoners (artisans, scribes, merchants), slaves and laborers

Zhou (Joe) Slave rebellion overthrew Shang Decentralized government=weak central gov’t and stronger local power Justified power through the MANDATE OF HEAVEN Rulers have support of supernatural realm as long as conditions were good, but rebellion was justified when they were not Leader is “son of Heaven” receives power from God/Heaven DYASTIC CYLCE- Chinese view of their political history focuses on ruling family Zhou was unstable and plagued by warfare

Dynastic Cycle

More Zhou… Rigid society divided by classes and genders Arranged marriages Women=submissive, no public life Elite women were literate, few peasants, both men and women, were not Social life revolved around food Iron technology reached China from Central Asia Common language= unifying link for Chinese= many dialects spoken