1. Dynastic Cycle of Chinese History
New Dynasty
Defenses weakened; Dynasty overthrown
New Philosophy
Build Infrastructure
Peasant Rebellion
DYNASTIC CYCLE: NEED TO SERVE TO GAIN SUPPORT OF POWER—INFRASTRUCTURE, ETC. HOW DO GOV’S HOLD POWER? HOW TO PEOPLE CHALLENGE POWER? (MEDIA, MILITARY, CITIZENSHIP, ACCESS TO POWER, FOOD, PEASANT REVOLTS, ETC.). ALL GOV’S USE IDEOLOGY (PHILOSOPHY) SELECTIVELY—DISTINGUISH BTW. WHAT GOVS SAY AND DO.
JUST SOCIETY
Infrastructure declines (flooding)
Taxation
Corruption

2. Definitions Dynasty: Feudalism Empire Bureaucracy
A family or group that maintains power for several generations.
Noble class that exchanges use of land for protection; power is private; social structure is hereditary
Centralized rule over a broad and diverse territory
Administrative system of government—roles of government are run by specialists
Review hierarchy: how does it look in ancient society?
Dynastic Cycle: need to serve to gain support of power—infrastructure, etc. How do gov’s hold power? How to people challenge power? (media, military, citizenship, access to power, food, peasant revolts, etc.). All gov’s use ideology (philosophy) selectively—distinguish btw. What govs say and do.
What is the goal of government? (to stay in power, serve people, abuse for power and gain; define political power).
How do people create powerful empires?
How do powerful empires remain in power? (need established means of continuity—constitution v. dynasty)
What benefits do empires have; what disadvantages, to newly conquered people?
What happens when governments don’t serve people? (Are not always hones—when goal of power exceeds will to create better society. people revolt when there is concensus on philosophy but government does not adhere to.)
What form of government did China create thousands of years ago (and many others)? Dynasty: A family or group that maintains power for several generations (political dynasty). Am. Heritage Dictionary
Chinese history is cyclical, not linear.
China cycles between being an open and closed society.
Chinese Civilization, including its well developed bureaucracy, is old and continues to have a major impact. Longest continuous empire on earth (we should all speak Chinese)

3. Hierarchy in Ancient China
Review hierarchy: how does it look in ancient society?
Dynastic Cycle: need to serve to gain support of power—infrastructure, etc. How do gov’s hold power? How to people challenge power? (media, military, citizenship, access to power, food, peasant revolts, etc.). All gov’s use ideology (philosophy) selectively—distinguish btw. What govs say and do.
What is the goal of government? (to stay in power, serve people, abuse for power and gain; define political power).
How do people create powerful empires?
How do powerful empires remain in power? (need established means of continuity—constitution v. dynasty)
What benefits do empires have; what disadvantages, to newly conquered people?
What happens when governments don’t serve people? (Are not always hones—when goal of power exceeds will to create better society. people revolt when there is concensus on philosophy but government does not adhere to.)
What form of government did China create thousands of years ago (and many others)? Dynasty: A family or group that maintains power for several generations (political dynasty). Am. Heritage Dictionary
Chinese history is cyclical, not linear.
China cycles between being an open and closed society.
Chinese Civilization, including its well developed bureaucracy, is old and continues to have a major impact. Longest continuous empire on earth (we should all speak Chinese)

4. Shang and Zhou Dynasties
Shang— BCE
Zhou— BCE
Social Structure
Aristocratic families controlled provinces; some slavery
Feudalism; more formal hierarchy; some slavery
Education
Writing (pictographs, calligraphy)
King as moral, secular model
Economy
Agriculture base—King owned all land; Artisans
Agricultural base. Increase infrastructure: Taxation, canals, roads, growth of cities, iron (stronger weapons)
Belief (religion, philosophy
Animism
Gods (Ti, King descended from)
Oracle bones
Mandate of Heaven
Secular philosophy: Confucianism, Yin Yang, etc.
Government
King descend from gods, Bureaucracy
Mandate of Heaven: king is model of fairness; overthrow when fail.
SHANG CITIES: LAID OUT IN 4 QUADRANTS ALLIGNED WITH NORTH STAR—EARLY OBSESSION WITH ORDER IMPOSED BY GODS AND MONARCHS (FENG SHUI)
DIVINATION AND SACRIFICE FADES AWAY DURING ZHOU ( BCE). SEPARATION OF RELIGION AND GOVT.

5. Shang Oracle Bones Source: National Geographic

6. Zhou Dynasty: foundation of Chinese Civilization
Zhou— BCE
Social Structure
Feudalism
Education
King as moral model
Economy
Agricultural base.
Increase infrastructure: Taxation, canals, roads, growth of cities
iron (stronger weapons)
Belief (religion, philosophy)
Mandate of Heaven
Philosophies (secular): Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, Yin Yang.
Government
Mandate of Heaven (king is model of fairness; overthrow when fail).
Bureaucracy