Slideshow from www.advancedplacementhistory.com The History of China Shang Dynasty Slideshow from www.advancedplacementhistory.com

Chinese Dynasties Shang Dynasty 1766 BCE - 1027 BCE Zhou Dynasty 1122 BCE -256 BCE Qin Dynasty 221 BCE - 206 BCE Han Dynasty 206 BCE - 220AD Later Han Dynasty 25 AD - 220 AD Period of Disunion 220 AD - 589 Sui Dynasty 589 AD - 618 AD Tang Dynasty 618 AD - 907 AD Sung Dynasty 969 AD - 1279 AD Yuan Dyansty 1279 AD - 1368 AD Ming Dynasty 1368 AD - 1644 AD

Geography Northern China vs. Southern North China Cold Winters Soils are dry and permeable Agriculture requires drought resistant crops South China Warmer and wetter Waterlogged fields Agriculture thrives on rice

Shang Dynasty Shang dynasty Construction of cities along the Hwang He river Shang cites are, on average, 20 times larger than past Elite homes are walled-in from surrounding communities Higher proportion of jade and other elite goods in society

An-yang – capital of Shang large ceremonial and govt center with monumental architecture surrounded by craft areas. Residential areas surrounded the center of the city Located on the Hwang He

Anyang Tombs

Central govt power Influence varied according to distance from the capital. Shang rulers traveled widely and were assisted by a complex hierarchy of nobles. Local lords were responsible for collecting taxes and supplying men for public projects. Armies as large as 30,000 soldiers were assembled to fight “barbarians.”

Shang Economy

Shang farming Millet was the main crop in North China. rice and wheat in Southern China Stone hoes, harvesting knives, and wooden digging sticks used Irrigation common agricultural labor may have encouraged rural families to grow led to large-scale population growth.

Shang bronze Shang civilization is famous for its bronzework. Bronze was used to make food and drinking vessels, weapons, chariot and cavalry fittings, and musical instruments. Indications are that the origins of bronzeworking were local not imported

Shang Religion Ancestor worship common Polytheistic nature gods also common Worship of natural dieties (gods of water, wind, fire, rock, earth) Ancestor Worship – result of strong belief in family and importance of family taking care of each other Folk Spirits – similar to the bogeyman, tooth fairy, leprechauns

Shang social system Kings are divine The king and his court received grain as tribute that they used to support a lavish lifestyle. The lower class consisted of farmers and craftworkers. At the bottom of the lower class were the war captives, who were kept as slaves or served as sacrificial victims for rituals and temple dedications.

Shang Intellectual Life Writing Early government systems First significant cities Basic civilization characteristics

Shang writing Chinese writing was formalized during Shang times. Chinese written language to included over 3,000 symbols. Chinese writing was related closely to the political, military, and ritual activities of the upper class Only writing that preserves is found on ritual artifacts…