Legends of Ancient China Legends provided the past and story of creation for China. Heroes: –Pangu –Yu –Xia

Government Created a complex bureaucracy. –Bureaucracy: a government organized into different levels and tasks. Economy was based on agriculture: –Rice, Millet –Pigs, Chickens –Silkworms Many were merchants and artisans –Potters, Carvers

Religion Combined Animism: the belief that spirits inhabit everything, and ancestor worship. Worshipped the Gods of: –Sun –Wind –Clouds –Moon –Destiny

Language Among the first to develop a written language. Spoke a number of dialects. Writing went from top to bottom of the page. Made of symbols that are known as calligraphy.

Fall of Shang, Rise of Zhou 1200 B.C. herders from the Gobi desert began to close in on Shang territory. Shang battled them but was weakened by the efforts B.C. Zhou people joined with herders to overthrow the Shang.

Zhou Dynasty No centralized government, instead used better family and friends. Believed Heaven determined rulers. 700 B.C. rulers began to war between themselves. Weakening their control. 771 were attacked and dynasty moved the capital. By 400 B.C. had no power outside their capital.

Homework Do all Ch.4 section 2 reading checks, and the first section 3 reading check. –Due on Tuesday!