1. Ancient China

2. Ancient China
By 5000 B.C.E. rice became a staple in the diet in the Chang Jiang (Yangtze) River Valley.
Further north those living in the Huang He Valley domesticated wheat, barley, and millet
By 1700 B.C.E. they had cities and complex political, cultural, and social systems that served as a foundation in China.
Huang He, AKA, the Yellow River: Wheat, Barley and millet
Chang Jiang AKA the Yangtze River: Rice

3. Ancient China: Geography
Away from other areas; they did trade but distance and geographic features separated the area; China developed independently
Agriculture and metalworking were independently invented
Rivers of Huang He and Chang Jiang were great for farming (silt)
Other areas such as Gobi Desert, Himalayan Mts., and the Tarim Basin less habitable
Most people, even today, live in the East along the rivers and the coastline

4. Ancient China: Geography
The rivers absorbed a yellowish-brown dust from central Asia called loess which is very fertile and could be worked with digging sticks
Like the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, the East Asian rivers were prone to irregular flooding
People built dikes, channels, and basins to store water

5. Ancient China: Economics
Farmers and leaders had to control flooding
Irrigation systems
Dikes to manage flow of river
Invented the hoe and four pronged hoe which was a vast improvement over the digging stick; could feed large urban population

6. Ancient China: Economics
China’s growth spurred by mastery of metallurgy esp. bronze weapons and tools
Ruling elites controlled copper and tin ores and employed the craftsmen
Produced weapons such as spears but also fittings for horse drawn chariots diffused to China from Mesopotamia
Pioneer in silk manufacturing; raising silk worms

7. Ancient China: Economics
Cities were centers of political control and religion; surrounded by great walls of earth
Public buildings: palaces, political centers, storehouses, royal tombs, shrines, etc
Most people lived in villages outside city walls
Cities laid out on a grid plan aligned with north polar star, gate opened in cardinal direction, building faced South
Reflects the concern for order
Called Fengshui

8. Ancient China: Political
According to legend, a dynasty, (family-based kingdom), called Xia but NO evidence of existence
1st known dynasty was the Shang Dynasty emerged between B.C.E.
Nomadic group skilled horsemen with army of subject peoples and other warrior leaders who swore allegiance

9. Ancient China: Political
King is an intermediary between Supreme Being, Shandi, had a lot of power
People were governed by vassals, lords that served the king and were bound by personal ties.
Warrior aristocrats collected tributes (farm produce) which supported the monarchy.
Remember this topic! We will make connections across time with the topic of feudalism.

10. Ancient China: Political
12th century B.C.E. Shang is overthrown by the Zhou Dynasty
Kept written records, tax rolls, lists of imports & exports, & historical info
Dynasty falls into two phases: Western Zhou (11th-8th centuries B.C.E.) and Eastern Zhou (8th-5th centuries B.C.E.)

11. Ancient China: Political
Extended territory: decentralized, local leaders had a good deal of autonomy
Growing bureaucrats (Shi) best educated men served as scribes, clerks, advisors and overseers
Kept records , ran public works, was, organized rituals

12. This map is for you to review.

13. Social Classes in Ancient China

14. Three Main Social Groups at the “top”
Ancient China: Social
Three Main Social Groups at the “top”
The elite: royal family, landowning aristocracy, educated bureaucrats
Houses were lavish
Monopolized use of bronze weapons and tools
Consumed much of the meat
Emphasis on proper behavior, table manners, etc.

15. Next level are the peasants, free artisans and craftsmen
Ancient China: Social
Next level are the peasants, free artisans and craftsmen
Peasants did not own land but worked land that belonged to nobility
Lived in earth houses
Used iron tools in the late Zhou
Had to also build roads, buildings and irrigation projects
Artisans and craftsmen worked exclusively for the elite
Lived in the cities in better houses than peasants

16. At the very bottom are the unskilled workers and slaves.
Ancient China: Social
At the very bottom are the unskilled workers and slaves.
Performed hard labor like building walls for cities, foundations, and clearing new fields
Merchants and traders did exist but little is written about them
Long distance trade appeared during the Shang: jade, tin, silk
Confucian emphasis on learning and political service led to low status for merchants and traders who devoted lives to make money

17. Like other ancient civilizations, women lost status
Ancient China: Social
Like other ancient civilizations, women lost status
Military success is highly valued and men dominated politics
Rituals honoring ancestors venerated men as important guides to the family
During the Zhou dynasty, women lost more status reflected in the fact that there were no temples erected to honor queens