1. Themes Across Cultures: Ancient China
AP World History
LSW

2. State-building, expansion, and conflict • Political structures and forms of governance • Empires • Nations and nationalism • Revolts and revolutions • Regional, transregional, and global structures and organizations
Xia: BCE
 Established dynastic precedent
 Form of Government: Monarchy, Sage King Yu, Legend says tamed the Yellow River
 Large scale public work projects helped to establish recognized authorities and formal political institutions
 Encouraged the founding of cities and development of metallurgy (Bronze weapons to maintain control)
Traded with nomadic groups from Central Asia, offered animals (horses esp.) in exchange for agriculture and metals

3. State-building, expansion, and conflict • Political structures and forms of governance • Empires • Nations and nationalism • Revolts and revolutions • Regional, transregional, and global structures and organizations
Claimed surplus of agriculture from conquered areas to support the state and military
Rulers relied on local rulers who recognized Shang authority, at one point Shang emperors may have controlled more than 1,000 towns
Construction of immense city walls (33 ft. high, 66 ft. wide) around capital, Ao…required the labor of 10,000 workers for 20 years
 Shang emperors buried with family, servants, others
Shang: BCE
 Took over after replacing despotic Xia ruler, originated to the South and East of Xia
Used bronze weaponry and horse drawn chariots to extend rule
No codified law but rulers made decrees and trusted military to enforce

4. State-building, expansion, and conflict • Political structures and forms of governance • Empires • Nations and nationalism • Revolts and revolutions • Regional, transregional, and global structures and organizations
Surrounding cities ruled by emperor’s family who paid tribute through taxes and appearances at court
Arranged marriages between newly conquered areas
Eventually collapsed as leaders from outlying regions strengthened themselves and nomadic peoples from the West attacked
Zhou: BCE
 People that at one time allied with the Shang and were rulers in the West
 Shang dynasty declined under foolish ruler, many cities transferred their loyalty to Zhou rulers, eventually Zhou dynasty toppled Shang rule
Promulgated the “Mandate of Heaven” idea (justified Zhou dynasty in taking over)
Dynasty so large that the dynasty employed decentralized admin.: entrusting power, authority and responsibility to subordinates who were loyal to central government

5. Interaction between humans and the environment • Demography and disease • Migration • Patterns of settlement • Technology
Xia:
Agricultural practices helped to fuel growth in population around Yellow River (rich fertile soil)
Building dikes to control the Yellow River
Fine painted pottery
 Large oar propelled vessels
Bronze implements and tools brought from nomadic peoples from the West

6. Interaction between humans and the environment • Demography and disease • Migration • Patterns of settlement • Technology
Shang Dynasty
 Height of bronze implements, used as tools, weapons
 Chariots used in military campaigns to great effect
Large scale public works projects, continued work on Yellow River, large city walls around capital, burial tombs
Beginning of writing (Oracle Bones)

7. Interaction between humans and the environment • Demography and disease • Migration • Patterns of settlement • Technology
Zhou
Development of Iron for tools and weapons (worked in favor of decentralized rulers)
 Jewelers, jade workers, embroiderers and manufactures of silk textiles specialized in their industry
 Navigation of ships by the stars
 Books of poetry, history, manuals dealing with moral, religious, philosophical and political themes

8. Emperor and ruling family Artisans, Peasants, Slaves Patriarchal
Development and transformation of social structures • Gender roles and relations • Family and kinship • Racial and ethnic constructions • Social and economic classes  
Some women recognized, Fu Hao consort to the Emperor performed sacrificial rites and led men into battle
Xia, Shang, Zhou:
Emperor and ruling family
Artisans, Peasants, Slaves
Patriarchal
Veneration of elders (men)

9. Theme: Development and interaction of cultures • Religions • Belief systems, philosophies, and ideologies • Science and technology • The arts and architecture
Xia:
Organized religion did not play as important a role in China as it did in other early societies
Impersonal heavenly power- ‘tian’
A few priests conducted ritual observances in honor of royal ancestors at royal courts
Shang, Zhou:
Writing with Oracle Bones, used by fortune tellers, represented by pictographs and ideographs
Books of History, Etiquette, Rites, Poetry and Songs