1. Chinese River Civilizations

2. Geography
Between two rivers: Huang He (Yellow River) and Chang Jiang (Yangtze River).
Environmental challenges:
Floods
Geographic isolation
Natural borders didn’t protect China from invaders.
What borders?

3. Loess- fertile yellow-brown soil, carried by wind
China’s Heartland
Only about 10% of China’s land is suitable for farming, and 90% of that land is between the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers.
Loess- fertile yellow-brown soil, carried by wind

4. First Dynasty
Dynasty: A series of rulers from a single family.
Shang Dynasty (1700 BCE-1027 BCE):
First to leave written records, Pictograms
Anyang: Capitol city, built mainly of wood because it was in a forest, and was surrounded by massive earthen walls for protection.
Why these walls?
Mandate of Heaven- heaven granted the ruler the right to rule. People owed the ruler loyalty and obedience

5. Chinese Culture
Family: central to society, patriarchal. You respected your parents and elders.
Social Classes:
Kings/Nobles
Warriors
Peasants and Farmers
Craftsmen & Merchants
Feudalism- mode of production where king provides land, protection, people provide labor, soldiers

6. Early Chinese Religion
Gods of nature: the river god, the rain god, the earth god, etc. Most powerful was the sky god, T'ien, the king of gods.
Ancestor Worship: Spirits of family ancestors could bring good or bad fortune. “Like troublesome or helpful neighbors” who demanded attention and respect.
Continued to modern times

7. Confucianism Confucius (born 551 BC) Scholar/Teacher Wrote Analects—
Five basic relationships: (Ruler-Subject, father-son, husband-wife, older-younger brother, friend-friend)
Different rules of behavior depends on which relationship
(Example) Filial Piety: devotion to one’s parents during their lifetime and honoring their memory after.
Not a Religion, but the Ethical System Which became the basis of Chinese Government and Social Order.
Similar to what????

8. Dynastic Cycle
Why did dynasties end?

9. Do now
In your packets, answers questions #2-7 on a piece of paper. Due at the end of class.