River Dynasties in China

Map

Introduction to China Natural barriers isolated China: Pacific Ocean, Himalaya Mountains, Gobi Desert, Plateau of Tibet Viewed people who lived outside of China as barbarians, thought their civilization was the center of the civilized world The civilization never failed, continues to thrive today

Farming Used both: Irrigation & Terrace

Dynasties and Cities Shang dynasty was the first to leave a written record Kings built elaborate palaces Anyang was the oldest and most important city Protected cities with massive earthen walls (dirt mounds) Consistently warring with other cities Invented the chariot

Society Society was sharply divided between nobles and peasants Strong bonds to family and the emperor (king) Family was central to Chinese society, most important virtue was respect for parent’s Women were treated as inferiors, men controlled the property, women had arranged marriages

Religious Beliefs Polytheistic but worshipped a supreme god, Shang Di Believed their ancestors were spirits Oracle Bones-animal bones where priests scratched ?s and used a hot poker to cause it to crack, they would then interpret for the gods reply to the ?

Writing Each character stands for an idea (not a sound) - memorize over 1,000 characters + unifies the area because EVERYONE writes the same

Art and Technology Skilled workers (artisans) made silk and bronze items These workers had a special place in society

Zhou Dynasty Zhou overthrow the Shang Mandate of Heaven-royal authority came from heaven, a just ruler have divine approval M of H-became a central idea to Chinese govt. Dynastic cycle-patterns of rise, decline and replacement of dynasties

Feudalism System to control a large area King gives land to nobles Nobles rule the land give land to military for protection