1. China: Shang and Zhou Dynasties

2. Chinese Geography:

3. Geography…
Relatively isolated by deserts and mountains from other urban centers like India
Large land area fostered diverse regionalism-difficult topography, most live in eastern third of territory
Three rivers
Yellow/Huang He (“China’s Sorrow), Yangzi, Xijiang all flow west to east thus does not link north and south
LOESS-yellowish silt=fertile for crops
Regional traditions-food, crafts, silkworms, pottery, jade
“Middle Kingdom”=ethnocentrism

4. Early Chinese Agriculture
Food reflected regional variations
Two distinct traditions
Cold, dry north=drought resistant crops like wheat and millet
Warm, wet south=rice STAPLE FOOD
Highly productive agriculture key to China’s success

5. Shang China Horse-drawn chariots and bronze
Centralized authority=coordinated irrigation projects
Kings=patriarchal figures, authoritative
Cultural innovations=glazed pottery and decimal system
Harsh masters, practicing human and animal sacrifice
Cultural innovations=elaborate writing system and divination using animal bones and tortoise shells (to read future)
Social hierarchy=landowning aristocrats, commoners (artisans, scribes, merchants), slaves and laborers

6. Zhou (Joe) Slave rebellion overthrew Shang
Decentralized government=weak central gov’t and stronger local power
Justified power through the MANDATE OF HEAVEN
Rulers have support of supernatural realm as long as conditions were good, but rebellion was justified when they were not
Leader is “son of Heaven” receives power from God/Heaven
DYASTIC CYLCE- Chinese view of their political history focuses on ruling family
Zhou was unstable and plagued by warfare

8. Dynastic Cycle

9. More Zhou… Rigid society divided by classes and genders
Arranged marriages
Women=submissive, no public life
Elite women were literate, few peasants, both men and women, were not
Social life revolved around food
Iron technology reached China from Central Asia
Common language= unifying link for Chinese= many dialects spoken