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Early Civilization in China. China: Geography Tian Shan & Himalayan Mountains Brutal deserts Thick jungles Pacific Ocean.

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Presentation on theme: "Early Civilization in China. China: Geography Tian Shan & Himalayan Mountains Brutal deserts Thick jungles Pacific Ocean."— Presentation transcript:

1 Early Civilization in China

2 China: Geography Tian Shan & Himalayan Mountains Brutal deserts Thick jungles Pacific Ocean

3 What contact did China have with other civilizations? Isolated No direct contact Pastoral Nomads on the steppes Unique culture developed

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5 What are the main regions of China?  East coast & valleys of Huang He (Yellow River) & Yangzi Rivers –Fertile –water for irrigation & transportation  Outlying regions of Xinjuang, Mongolia harsh nomads & subsistence farmers Trade & raid

6 What is the “River of Sorrows”? Huang He River Loess settles- raises water level causes flooding

7 Huang He = Yellow River

8 Chinese Dynasties

9 Xia Dynasty (c.2000 BCE) centered on Huang He used irrigation system cast bronze oracle bones to tell future wheeled vehicles

10 Shang Dynasty 1650 BCE, Shang people took control of north China along Huang He Dominated region until 1027 BCE Chinese civilization began

11 Shang Religious Beliefs Polytheistic/animistic Shang Di King connected to Shang Di Prayed to ancestors for good fortune Sacrifices of food, etc. Yin & Yang –Yin linked to Earth & Moon- darkness-female force –Yang- Heaven- light- male forces –Well-being of Universe depended on balance

12 Shang Religion: Rituals Cult of Shang Di Nature deities & human spirits controlled nature Human worship, human & animal sacrifice, proper rituals, magical exercises When king died, servants, slaves etc. sacrificed Deities gave favors – children, relief from natural calamities, good harvests Divination, ritual dance, fertility rites Shamans/priests No concern for ethical conduct

13 Ancestor Worship Human souls departed their bodies at death for a netherworld Reside for six generations then absorbed by nature In netherworld they had power of fertility and healing Intermediaries between gods of nature & families

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15 Shang tools & weapons Deer antler hoe dagger Battle axe

16 Bronze Ritual Vessel: Taotie

17 Oracle Bones: Chinese Writing Bones, turtle shells addressed questions to the gods/spirits Official writing dates back 4,000 years Tens of thousands of characters representing words and ideas Calligraphy is an art form Helped to unify people despite diverse dialects

18 Oracle Bone Script

19 Oracle Bones Solar eclipse

20 Social Classes (Society) King & royal family Warriors Artisans Merchants Peasants

21 Shang Art Designed for military & religious purpose advanced technique for casting bronze weapons & stylized vessels

22 Shang Government (Politics) Large palaces/rich tombs Military Kings Powerful-owned small amount of land Large public works projects Women could lead Nobles/princes were heads of clans or family groups- controlled most land Similar to Sumerian city- states

23 Economy peasants preformed all economic functions of society –farmed crops Many farmers also knew how to cultivate the silkworm- Artisans manufactured weapons, ritual vessels, jewelry etc. Cowrie shells used as currency

24 Zhou Dynasty 1027 BCE-256 BCE Came from west- overthrew Shang “Mandate of Heaven” –Divine right to rule –Used to justify the dynastic cycle –Good government = Heaven was happy –Rulers weak/corrupt = Heaven withdrew support –Catastrophes were opportunities for new leadership

25 Mandate of Heaven Right to rule is granted by Heaven There is only one Heaven therefore there can be only one ruler Right to rule is based on virtue of the ruler Right to rule is not limited to one dynasty

26 Mandate of Heaven: Principles into Action Gives ruler prestige & religious importance Gives ruler supreme power Allows new ruler to gain power quickly if people believe he has 'Mandate of Heaven' Ruler's power must be kept in check by “virtue” Justifies rebellion as long as it’s successful

27 Dynastic Cycle Expanded idea of Mandate of Heaven to explain the dynastic cycle, or the rise & fall of dynasties. As long as dynasty provided good government, it enjoyed Mandate of Heaven

28 How are Mandate of Heaven & Dynastic Cycle Related?

29 The Dynastic Cycle A new dynasty comes to power. Govt. corruption. Droughts, floods, famines occur. Poor lose respect for govt. They rebel. Rebels find strong leader and Rebel against Emperior. Emperor is defeated !! The emperor improves government. Start here  People’s lives improved; taxes reduced. Problems begin (extensive wars, invasions, etc.) Economic problems, high taxes

30 Zhou: Feudal System Decentralized administration Used princes & relatives to rule regions Weak central government & rise of regional powers Local lords governed their own lands but owed military service & support to ruler After about 771 BCE feudal lords held real power

31 Economy Iron tools New crops-soybeans Irrigation techniques Money (copper coins) = easier trade New roads, canals Population increase = prosperity increase

32 Achievements Calendar-365 ½ days By 1000 BCE, silk thread: sericulture Bronze metallurgy


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