Satellite View of China

China vs. the U. S. in Size China United States

Comparing China & the U. S. China United States Size 3.7 million square miles 3.6 million square miles Main physical barrier HimalayasRockies Main River Yangtze / East - West Mississippi / North – South Population East Coast Connectivity problems North - South East - West

The Polluted Yellow River! VOCABULARY Loess

The Yellow River Huang He 2,920 Miles: Tibet to the Yellow Sea Deposits (loess) fertile, light colored soil –No need for metal tools for generous harvests Periodic flooding: “ China ’ s sorrow ”

Bronze Age Empires

Shang Dynasty BCE Bronze metallurgy –State monopoly of copper & tin ores. Horse-drawn chariots, other wheeled vehicles Large armies – 3,000 – 13,000 strong Demand of agricultural tribute Political organization: network of fortified cities, loyal to center –1000 cities –Capital moved six times Impressive architecture at Ao (33 x 66 wall), Yin

Shang Dynasty Burial Practices Hierarchical social structure Live burials alongside deceased member of ruling class –Sacrificial victims, mostly slaves –Wives, servants, friends, hunting companions –Later replaced by statuary, often monumental

Shang Religion Animism – The belief that spirits inhabit everything. Ancestor Worship Shang Di – A god who controlled the forces of nature Oracle Bones

Oracle Bones and Early Chinese Writing Used for communicating with spirit world, determining future –Question written on animal bones, turtle shells –Then heated over fire, cracks examined for omens Early archaeological evidence of Chinese writing Evolution of Chinese script –Pictograph to ideograph

Oracle Bone from Shang Dynasty

The Evolution of Chinese Writing During PictographsSemantic-Phonetics

Zhou Literature The reflections of Confucius Book of Changes –Manual for divination Book of History (Zhou propaganda) Book of Etiquette (Book of Rites) Book of Songs (…of Poetry or …of Odes) Little survived –Often written on perishable bamboo strips –Many destroyed by Emperor of Qin dynasty in 221 BCE

Axe Scepter – 1100 BCE - Jade Ceremonial Dagger – 1028 BCE

Shang Urn

Shang Bronzes

Ritual Wine Vessel – Bronze, 13c BCE

Western Zhou: BCE

Zhou Dynasty, BCE No law codes: rule by decree –“ Mandate of Heaven ” Aggregation of villages opposed to Shang leadership –Decentralization of authority –Lacked organization efficiency Development of cheap iron weaponry ends Shang monopoly on Bronze Early money economy

Zhou Coins - Bronze

The Dynastic Cycle The Dynastic Cycle A new dynasty comes to power. “Son of Heaven” A new dynasty comes to power. “Son of Heaven” Lives of common people improved; taxes reduced; farming encouraged. Problems begin (extensive wars, invasions, etc.) Taxes increase; men forced to work for army. Farming neglected. Govt. increases spending; corruption. Droughts, floods, famines occur. Poor lose respect for govt. They join rebels & attack landlords. Rebel bands find strong leader who unites them. Attack the emperor. Emperor is defeated !! The emperor reforms the govt. & makes it more efficient. Start here 

Early Ideology Yin and Yang Yin: female, dark, weak, wet, passive Yang: male, bright, strong, dry, active Balance of opposites

Zhou Contributions Aristocrats Feudalism –Kings > Local Lords > Peasants Feudal Lords Gain Power Iron Age The First Bound Books Astronomers Study Planets & Eclipses

Decline of the Zhou Dynasty Decentralized leadership style allows for building of regional powers –Increasing local independence, refusal to pay Zhou taxes Iron metallurgy allows for widespread creation of weaponry Northern invaders weaken Zhou dynasty, beginning 8 th c BCE Internal dissention: the Period of the Warring States ( BCE)

The Yangtze River

Southern Expansion of Chinese Society Yangzi Valley –Peaceful flooding –Yangzi river: Chang Jiang, “ long river ” –Excellent for rice cultivation –Irrigation system developed The State of Chu –Autonomous, challenged Zhou dynasty –Culture heavily influenced by Chinese