The Ancient Chinese People of the Huang He River Valley

Huang Ho Valley ** 2000 B.C.- about 500 years after the Harappans settled in the Indus River Valley ** Do not have any records of the beginning of the Civilization 1. much is legend (story) 1. much is legend (story)

Shang Dynasty

Huang He River System

Reasons for Settlement 1. Many people chose the Huang Ho River Valley b/c it was fertile ** Fertile- rich soil/good for farming ** Fertile- rich soil/good for farming 2. Isolated- remote location from other villages/ far away from other people 3. Developed their culture without borrowing ideas or goods from another civilization

Dynasties Dynasty- ruling family (Shang Dynasty) ** Shang came to power in 1766 B.C. ** Shang came to power in 1766 B.C. Shang Dynasty responsible for: Building Chinese cities Building Chinese cities Ruling Government Ruling Government Head of all Ancient Chinese people Head of all Ancient Chinese people (similar to a Pharaoh) (similar to a Pharaoh)

Shang Dynasty Located in Northeast China Along the river valley and North China Sea

Different Dynasties

Shang Cities Cities- most of the cities were developed the same way (same plan) All Chinese Cities had: 1. Palace and temple at the center 2. Public buildings and government buildings were built close to the temple 3. Workers lived on the outskirts ** Most of the Shang people DID NOT live in the city 1. They were farmers 1. They were farmers 2. Grew wheat, millett 2. Grew wheat, millett 3. Raised cattle 3. Raised cattle 4. Produced silk 4. Produced silk

Major Cities

Spirits Spirits- supernatural beings What they believed about the Spirits Shang Worshiped them Believed they lived in mountains, rivers, seas Had to please them If the spirits were angry, the people would suffer

Ancestors Ancestors- past family members (descendants) Shang believed that their Ancestors: 1. Influenced their fortunes 2. Help them in their time of need ** Prayed to Ancestors, offered food and wine to keep them happy

Kings and Nobles Kings- Government official in the Shang Dynasty * Main duty was to contact the spirits * Main duty was to contact the spirits * Asked advice of ancestors * Asked advice of ancestors Oracle Bones- communication between the kings and their ancestors * Markings on the bones * Markings on the bones Noble- people of high rank in the kingdom * Spent time hunting, in military * Spent time hunting, in military

Oracle Bones

Ruins of the Shang Dynasty

Decline of the Shang Reasons for the Decline of Shang Dynasty 1. Great gap between the rich and poor * No loyalty towards one another * No loyalty towards one another 2. Zhou invasion of 1122 B.C. * Weakened the Dynasty * Weakened the Dynasty