1. Early Society in Mainland East Asia
Chapter 5
Early Society in Mainland East Asia
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2. The Yellow River Huang He Almost 3000 miles: Tibet to Yellow Sea
Deposits fertile, light-colored soil
Periodic flooding: “China’s Sorrow”
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3. Yangshao Society and Banpo Village
About 5000–3000 B.C.E.
Middle region of Yellow River valley
Neolithic village at Banpo
Painted pottery, bone tools
Similar settlements throughout much of China as human population increased
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4. Three Ancient Dynasties
Xia
Perhaps emerged about 2200 B.C.E.
Importance of flood control
Rulers may have controlled village leaders
City of Erlitou
Shang
According to tradition, 1766–1122 B.C.E.
Zhou
1122–256 B.C.E.
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5. The Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties, 2200–256 B.C.E
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6. The Shang Dynasty Bronze metallurgy
State monopoly
Horse-drawn chariots, other wheeled vehicles
Large armies
Political organization: network of walled towns, loyal to center
Capital moved six times
Impressive architecture at Ao, Yin
Other regional states coexisted, such as Sanxingdui
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7. The Shang Capitals at Ao and Yin
Ao, near modern Zhengzhou: massive city wall
Yin, near modern Anyang: complex of royal palaces
Tombs, both large and lavish and more modest
Burials alongside deceased member of ruling class
Sacrificial victims, mostly slaves
Wives, servants, friends, hunting companions
Tomb of Lady Fu Hao
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8. The Zhou Dynasty From 1122 B.C.E. to 256 B.C.E.
No law codes: rule by decree
“Mandate of heaven”
Aggregation of villages opposed to Shang leadership
Decentralization of authority
Development of cheap iron weaponry ended Shang monopoly on bronze
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9. Decline of the Zhou Dynasty
Decentralized leadership style allowed for building of regional powers
Increasing local independence, refusal to pay taxes
Iron metallurgy allowed for widespread creation of weaponry
Northern invaders weakened Zhou dynasty, beginning eighth century B.C.E.
Internal dissention: the Period of the Warring States (403–221 B.C.E.)
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10. China During the Period of the Warring States, 403–221 B.C.E.
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11. The Social Order Ruling classes had great advantage
Palatial compounds, luxurious lifestyle
Supported by agricultural surplus, tax revenues
Defended by monopoly on bronze weaponry
Hereditary privilege
Class of artisans, craftsmen
Evidence of long-distance trade, merchant class
Large class of semi-servile peasants
Slave class
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12. Family and Patriarchy Devotion to family, ancestor veneration
Connection of spirit world to physical world
Ritual sacrifices
Father was ritual head of family rites
Earlier prominence of individual female leaders faded in later Shang and Zhou dynasties
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13. Oracle Bones and Early Chinese Writing
Oracle bones used for communicating with spirit world, determining future
Question written on animal bones or turtle shells
Then heated over fire; cracks examined for omens
Early archaeological evidence of Chinese writing
Evolution of Chinese script
Pictograph to ideograph
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14. Zhou Literature The reflections of Confucius
Book of Changes: manual for divination
Book of History
Book of Etiquette (Book of Rites)
Book of Songs
Little survives because often written on perishable bamboo strips, silk fabrics
Many destroyed by emperor of Qin dynasty, 221 B.C.E.
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15. Nomadic Peoples of Central Asia
Steppe nomads
Poor lands for cultivation, extensive herding activities
Horses domesticated ca B.C.E., bronze metallurgy by 2900 B.C.E.
Extensive trade with sedentary cultures in China
Tensions: frequent raiding
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16. The Southern Expansion of Chinese Society
Yangzi valley
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
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