The History of China Shang Dynasty

SSWH2 The student will identify the major achievements of Chinese and Indian societies from 1100 BCE to 500 CE. c. Describe the development of Chinese civilization under the Zhou and Qin.

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

Geography 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

Geography Isolation due to: ocean, desert, high mountains cut off from trade Little to no opportunity for cultural diffusion most unique of our world’s early civilizations. PEACE ETERNITY

Features of the Shang Dynasty First written records: calligraphy writing and paper making Sharp division between king’s nobles and the peasants Wood used as building material (not mud-dried bricks as in other regions) Peasants used wooden tools Shang made magnificent bronze weapons and ceremonial vessels Pics: Bronze work of the Shang period ( B.C.). A toilet, an ax, and a cooking cauldron.

Shang Dynasty 1766 BCE BCE First organized river society introduced writing on oracles bones local trade ancestor worship bronze age, Huang He river LOVE TOLERANCE LUCK

Shang Dynasty Construction of cities along the Hwang He river (yellow river) – Shang cites are huge – Elite homes = walled-in from surrounding communities – Higher proportion of jade and other elite goods in society

Central govt power Influence varied according to distance from the capital. Shang rulers = traveled widely assisted by a complex hierarchy of nobles. Local lords = responsible for collecting taxes and supplying men for public projects. Armies as large as 30,000 soldiers were assembled to fight “barbarians.” Bronze age blades shang dynasty circa 1200 bce

Shang farming and economy Millet = 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 Polytheistic nature gods (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 dynasty circa 16 th /11 th bce

Shang social system Kings = divine Grain = tribute to king and court = funded lavish lifestyle. The lower = farmers and craft workers. At the bottom of the lower class = war captives = slaves or served as sacrificial victims for rituals and temple dedications.

Shang writing Chinese writing was formalized during Shang times. – Chinese written language = over 3,000 symbols. – Chinese writing = related closely to the political, military, and ritual activities of the upper class Oracle bone

SSWH2 The student will identify the major achievements of Chinese and Indian societies from 1100 BCE to 500 CE. c. Describe the development of Chinese civilization under the Zhou and Qin. List five facts which will help you remember this element: