Ancient China and East Asia

Geography and Localized Abundance

Langshao culture [c – 2 000] Yangshao culture [c – 3 000] and Ancient China and East Asia Xia Dynasty c Shang Dynasty c Zhou Dynasty c Spring and Autumn Period c bce Warring States Period 476 – 221 bce Qin Dynasty 221 – 206 bce Han Dynasty 202 bce – 220 ce Jiahu culturec Yangshao culture c Langshao culture c Battle of Mingtiao c. 1600

Ancient China and East Asia: From Xia to Han Early Dynasties Xia Dynasty c Shang Dynasty c Zhou Dynasty c Spring and Autumn Period c bce Warring States Period 476 – 221 bce Qin Dynasty 221 – 206 bce Han Dynasty 202 bce – 220 ce Jiahu culturec Yangshao culture c Langshao culture c Battle of Mingtiao c. 1600

“Oracle Bone,” Shang Dynasty [ca – 1046 bce],H. 1 inch, W. 1 ¾ inches. Ancient China and East Asia Earliest writing technique: “Oracle Bones” Xia Dynasty c Shang Dynasty c Zhou Dynasty c Spring and Autumn Period c bce Warring States Period 476 – 221 bce Qin Dynasty 221 – 206 bce Han Dynasty 202 bce – 220 ce Jiahu culturec Yangshao culture c Langshao culture c Battle of Mingtiao c. 1600

Covered Vessel, Shang Dynasty [ca – 1046 bce], bronze, H. 6 inches, W. 4 inches. Ancient China and East Asia Xia Dynasty c Shang Dynasty c Zhou Dynasty c Spring and Autumn Period c bce Warring States Period 476 – 221 bce Qin Dynasty 221 – 206 bce Han Dynasty 202 bce – 220 ce Jiahu culturec Yangshao culture c Langshao culture c Battle of Mingtiao c. 1600

Ancient China and East Asia Some traits of late Shang and early Zhou culture Shang Dynasty c Zhou Dynasty c Social Hierarchy Royal family and nobles Aristocratic families, linked with military power Free artisans and craftsmen Peasants Slaves Religion No organized religion or priesthood No dominant idea of a personal, supreme deity Ancestors venerated, arguably to the point of worship Eventually developed an impersonal heavenly power that was responsible for the political “mandate of heaven”

Ancient China and East Asia Some traits of late Shang and early Zhou culture Shang Dynasty c Zhou Dynasty c Wealth and Power Depended on production of bronze and control of copper and tin Also depended heavily on military strength and weapons Also depended, sometimes, on the support of the citizenry Dagger Ax, Western Zhou, bronze, H. 9 ¼ inches,. Late Eastern Zhou, Bronze. H. 3 ½ inches

Zhou Ancient China and East Asia: From Xia to Han Early Dynasties Xia Dynasty c Shang Dynasty c Zhou Dynasty c Spring and Autumn Period c bce Warring States Period 476 – 221 bce Qin Dynasty 221 – 206 bce Han Dynasty 202 bce – 220 ce Jiahu culturec Yangshao culture c Langshao culture c Battle of Mingtiao c. 1600

Ancient China and East Asia: From Xia to Han Early Dynasties Zhou Dynasty begins 1046 bce Zhou Zhou Dynasty ends 256 bce “Spring and Autumn Period” begins - Zhou capital moved east 722 bce “Warring States Period “ begins 476 bce

Zhou Dynasty begins 1046 bce Zhou Dynasty ends 256 bce “Spring and Autumn Period” begins - Zhou capital moved east 722 bce “Warring States Period “ begins 476 bce 551 – 479 bce Confucius Note the (estimated) period when Confucius lived—what relationship can you imagine between Confucius’ search for new ideas about behavior, loyalty, and governance, and the conflict of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period?

230 – 221 bce Wars of Unification waged by state of Qin -Qin Dynasty begins, 221 bce Zhou Dynasty begins 1046 bce Zhou Dynasty ends 256 bce “Spring and Autumn Period” begins - Zhou capital moved east 722 bce “Warring States Period “ begins 476 bce Ancient China and East Asia: From Xia to Han Early Dynasties Qin and the “Unification” of China

Emperor Qin’s Burial Army, 210 – 209 bce Ancient China and East Asia: From Xia to Han Qin Dynasty

Zhou Dynasty begins 1046 bce Zhou Dynasty ends 256 bce “Spring and Autumn Period” begins - Zhou capital moved east 722 bce “Warring States Period “ begins 476 bce 230 – 221 bce Wars of Unification waged by state of Qin. Qin Dynasty begins 206 bce Qin Dynasty ends, Han Dynasty begins Ancient China and East Asia: From Xia to Han Early Dynasties Han

Mandate of Heaven – Tian Ming -- based on an idea of “just rule” -- emphasizes a ruler’s performance; de- emphasizes social and familial background -- implies a right of rebellion -- first used by kings of the Zhou Dynasty to overthrow the Shang -- When mandate is lost, history the only force capable of deciding who regains it Types of Rule: Divine Monarchy Divine Right -- ruler claims relationship with deities or claims divine status himself/herself -- attempts to rebel considered sacrilegious -- ruler not subject to the will of anyone on earth -- requires submission of citizens China Egypt Mesopotamian empires