1. Early Chinese Civilization
Mr. Koch
World History A
Forest Lake High School

2. Early Chinese Civilization
Ancient China very isolated
Physical barriers (mts., deserts, jungle, ocean)
Viewed self as center of Earth, source of civilization
Contact w/ outside through trading/nomadic invaders – “barbarians”
Huang He (“Yellow River” or “River of Sorrows”) and Yangzi provide for largest cities

3. Shang Dynasty (1650 – 1027 B.C.) Govt. not highly centralized
princes/nobles governed most territory
Some noble warriors, artisans, merchants
Most were peasants

4. Shang Dynasty (1650 – 1027 B.C.) Polytheistic
Shang Di and mother goddess
King linked gods/people
Yin – Earth, darkness, female
Yang – Heaven, lightness, male
Must be in balance
Written Chinese (~2000 BC)
Each word/idea has a symbol (thousands)

5. Zhou Dynasty (1027 – 256 B.C.) “Mandate of Heaven”
Divine right to rule
Used to justify overthrowing Shang
Kept mandate as long as governed well
Natural disasters or catastrophes = loss of favor of Heaven

6. Zhou Dynasty (1027 – 256 B.C.) Developed system of feudalism
Local lords control/govern lands
Owe support and military service to ruler
Saw growth of economy/population

7. Early Chinese Civilizations
Major breakthroughs:
Developed 365 ¼ day calendar
Developed silk-making
major export (Silk Road)
Made first books