Early Asian River Valleys Ancient China As in other regions, China’s early civilizations followed the spread of agriculture along river valleys. As most of the rivers in China flow east to the Pacific Ocean, China’s civilizations developed near the east coast.

China’s climate is very different from region to region. Because of the differing elevations of land, and monsoons that bring both cold air and rain, there are significant changes in temperature throughout the year.

Ancient China Geography China includes: – River valleys – Deserts – Mountains Only 10% of the land is suitable for farming. Chinese civilization began between two rivers, the Huang He (“Yellow”) and the Yangtze. – They flow from west to east The Huang He gets its name from the yellow silt/dirt is carries as it flows. Flow

The Huang He River of China (“Yellow” River)

Ancient China – Shang Dynasty Years = 1750BC – 1045BC China during this time was mostly a farming society that was ruled by an aristocracy (an upper class of wealthy people in charge). Their major concern was war.

Ancient China – Shang Dynasty The capital city was placed at Anyang. There are ruins of ancient walls, palaces, and royal tombs. The emperor ruled from the city and ordered the armies to fight on the borders of the kingdom. Emperors were buried in royal tombs, along with the sacrificed corpses of the faithful servants.

 This emperor wanted his favorite horses buried with him. Horses and a royal chariot were buried in this tomb 

Ancient China – Shang Dynasty Social Structure 1)Royal family & Aristocrats -Work hard and are dedicated to serving the whole country. 2)Peasants who farm -Work hard to provide food and strength for the country. 3) Merchants, Artisans, Slaves -Work hard to fulfill society’s other needs.

Ancient China – Shang Dynasty Cultural Practices Best known for their use of bronze for art and weaponry. Believed they could communicate with the gods by using oracle bones. – Writing questions on bones, cracking them with a hot metal rod, and reading the cracks. Believed in life after death, so they honored their dead ancestors and would try to speak to them. – Burned replicas of ancestor’s objects to accompany them in the after life. This is still done today in some parts of China.

Ancient China – Zhou Dynasty Years = 1045BC-256BC (longest dynasty) Their social structure was the same as in the Shang Dynasty. The Zhou claimed they had the right to rule China because it had the “Mandate of Heaven.”

Ancient China – Zhou Dynasty Mandate of Heaven The emperor is the link between Heaven and earth. He has the authority to command. The emperor is responsible to rule with goodness and efficiency, and must keep things in balance. If the emperor failed, and did not please the gods, bad things would happen. He would be overthrown and replaced. The “Mandate of Heaven” made it easy to start a rebellion in order to overthrow a corrupt ruler.

Ancient China – Zhou Dynasty Religion Daoism was the popular practice of faith during the Zhou Dynasty. It was not really a “religion,” but a way of thinking on how to live your life. – A philosophy of correctness Translates as “The Way.” Founder/Teacher - Lao Tzu Beliefs -How you behave in life’s situations will determine if you have knowledge, strength, and balance. -It’s not about “what” happens, it’s about how you “react.” -You must let nature take its course.

Daoism In the bad times of life, there will be good. In the good times of life, there will be bad. If you behave properly, and let nature take its course, your life will find balance and harmony.

Ancient China – Zhou Dynasty Society Aristocrats were lords over the land. – Peasants farmed a piece for their personal use, and joined other families to farm sections for the lords. Artisans, merchants, and slaves lived in walled towns under the direct control of the lord. – They were considered property

Ancient China – Zhou Dynasty Family Life Families worked together in the farming fields, especially in growing rice. Sons were required to grow up, take over the fields, and provide for their aging parents. Filial piety: Family members lower their needs and desires to the authority of the male head of the family. Men were expected to be providers, warriors, and educators or they were considered dishonorable. Women typically stayed at home to raise children, but women of the royal family would influence politics and laws.

Ancient China – Zhou Dynasty Advancements 500sBC – Use of iron plows – Use of irrigation to water crops and increase food production. More trade and manufacturing of goods. – Silk, Spices, Bowls, Jewelry Written Language – Pictographs (picture symbols) – Ideographs (combining picture symbols to make an idea)

Ancient China – A Time of Civil War The Mandate of Heaven began a pattern of dynasty cycles. – A dynasty would take power, rule for awhile, lose power, be challenged, then fall. In 403BC a time of civil war broke out, and all the states of China were fighting each other for almost 200 years. Weaponry and fighting changed dramatically. The Chinese began to use iron weapons, ride on horseback, and invented the crossbow.