Homework C-3 due Thursday Current events article due Friday, November 6.

Aim #2: Why is the Shang Dynasty considered the beginning of Chinese civilization? Do Now: President Obama announced a month ago that he would allow 10,000 Syrian refugees to enter the country. These people are fleeing a horrific civil war in their country. However, New York congressman Peter King opposes this because he worries that terrorist groups like ISIS and Al-qaeda will plant terrorists within the group of 10,000 people coming in. –Do you agree with Congressman King? Why or why not? –Is Congressman King being xenophobic, or just practical? –Does America have a problem with xenophobia in 2015?

I. Invasions of China A.Although China is isolated, it does have to deal with invasions from nomadic tribes (“barbarians”) who live to the north (Mongolia, Gobi desert) and to the west (plateau of Tibet). B.Leads to the emergence of strong dynasties that can protect China

2. Oracle Bones → Priests would write questions on animal bones in order to receive advice/guidance from the many gods / nature spirits of the religion.

3. Veneration of Ancestors (Ancestor Worship) → Belief that the spirits of your ancestors could bring either good or bad fortune to the living.

4. Writing System: Based on Pictographs (the symbol resembles the word) and Ideographs (the symbol is associated with certain meanings or ideas).

Concluding Question Why could the Shang Dynasty be considered the beginning of Chinese civilization?