What makes China Unique? First modern state government First civilization that wrote down their history Period of Dynasties Overall the system lasted from 150 BC – 1911AD

Early Chinese Dynasties Xia Dynasty B.C.E. (REAL????) Shang Dynasty B.C.E. Zhou Dynasty B.C.E.

Xia Dynasty Ruled China from B.C.E. until around 1800 B.C.E. No evidence to confirm existence of Xia Did it really happen?

History of Xia Humans are parasites on the body of the creator (Pangu) Fu Xi –Taught Marriage and how to domesticate animals Shen Nong – taught trade, agriculture, and medicine Huangdi – invented calendar, writing, and ceramics Yao – flood control – passed power to Shun (commoner) Shun passed power to Yu who founded Xi

Yu and Xia Stopped floods Made rule hereditary First of Ancient Dynasty (Shang and Zhou) 17 kings over 14 generations Jie violent rule (his wife made him) and overthrown

Xia real? – Yanshi

Dynastic Cycle Dynasties would continue as long as there were male heirs (although some female heirs had Emperor like power) WHO SHOULD DECIDE WHEN A DYNASTY IS OVER?

Mandate of Heaven Dynasties end because Heaven is upset with their actions: Jie was violent so he lost power (Shang conquers them) Storms, Famines, and Uprisings always happen toward the end of dynasties (Coincidence????) The last Shang Emperor is believed to have roasted and eaten his enemies (Zhou take over) Conquests are justified – History is made easier for periods between Dynasties

Exploring the Shang and Zhou – 25 point class work Working in your groups you will read your section and answer the major questions. (See your handout) In addition to answering the questions you will create a visual of your assigned section. You will use this visual to teach your classmates about your section Accuracy of Answers (10 points) Creativity and Art (10 points) Presentation (5 points)

Shang Dynasty

Oracle Bones Living person asked question of ancestor Hot piece of metal applied to oracle bone resulting in cracks on bone ’ s surface Specially trained priests interpreted meaning of cracks to learn answer Development of Chinese writing closely tied to use of oracle bones Earliest examples of Chinese writing, questions written on bones themselves Early Shang texts used picture symbols to represent objects, ideas

Zhou Dynasty

Developed MANDATE OF HEAVEN Metal Work (Iron) Strong Army – Catapult Population grew Farmers learned new techniques, increased size of harvest, created food surpluses; cities also grew Roads, canals allowed better transportation, communication Introduced coins, use of chopsticks

Life in China Aristocrat Large houses Beautiful gardens Fine furniture Relied on farmers to grow crops Merchant Shopkeepers, traders, and bankers Lived in towns and provide goods and services Very rich Looked down on by other classes

Life of a Farmer 9/10 Chinese were farmers Lived in simple homes Farmers grew wheat, millet, and rice on aristocrat’s farmers Farmers grew food for their family on a small plot of land One month a year they helped with gov’t building projects In war time farmers became soldiers