1. Early China and the Han Dynasty

2. The Beginning of Chinese Civilization
Began in the Chang Jiang Valley along the Huang He River
Villages developed into towns with protections such as walls
Characters of advanced civilization developed such as wells and pottery

3. The Shang Dynasty 1500 BC to 1100 BC Considered 1st dynasty of China
Created writing system with 2,000 symbols
Wrote on cattle bones and turtle shells
Used bronze for art and objects
Invented a calendar

4. Zhou Dynasty 1100 BC to 771 BC Overthrew Shang rulers
Rulers believed in the Mandate of Heaven
Emperor demanded loyalty
Warring state period caused for the emperor to be overthrown in 771 BC, result was many kingdoms

5. Qin Dynasty 221 BC Victor of the warring states period
Leader was Shi Huangdi, as leader he:
expanded the borders of the empire,
refused to share power with anyone (authoritarian),
forced upper class to move to the capital,
equal law system,
new money system (uniform system), and
uniform system of writing,
construction of roads,
beginning of the Great Wall
After Shi Huangdi passed rebellion occurred

6. Han Dynasty Succeeded the Qin Dynasty
Liu Bang a peasant became emperor, liked by all classes, sought to free people from harsh government, lowered taxes, lenient punishments, educated officials (best and brightest)
Wudi took land from lords, raised taxes, government control of grain, Confucianism official philosophy of dynasty
Class structure became rigid, which was the following: upper class (emperor and government workers), second (peasants), artisans, merchants (because they didn’t produce anything). Military not a class, but part of the government
Peasants were poor, made up 90% of the population
Confucianism placed an emphasis on family

7. Han (Continued) Became experts in figure painting and fu style poetry
Created a sundial, seismograph and accupunture