WHI: SOL 3a-e China

Map of China Geographic Features Text pg. 93 Bay of Bengal South China Sea East China Sea Pacific Ocean Huang He River Yangzi River (Chang River) Xi River (Si River) Gobi Desert Himalaya Mountains Yellow Sea Anyang China Korea Japan Mongolia India Russia

Beginnings China began along the Huang He River valley Huang He got its name from loess or fine, windblown yellow soil (Yellow River) Also known as “River of Sorrows” due to the severe flooding Isolation due to geographic features Most cities and people are located along the Eastern shore

Xia Dynasty Led by Yu the Great Yu led the people in working to build canals in order to control the flooding of the Yellow River Passed power to his son Qi, which began the system of dynastic rule or the Hereditary System Began a period of family or clan control

Shang Dynasty 1766 b.c. -1122 b.c. corner of northern China Anyang-capital city Political: Kings were the head of all clans, claiming a common ancestor Kings only controlled small areas Social:Hierarchy Royals Noble Warriors Artisans and Merchants Peasants

Shang Dynasty Religious: oracle bones A question is carved in a bones or shells, then exposed to heat until it cracked, the cracks were then interpreted as an answer from the gods

Zhou Dynasty 1122 b.c.-corrupt king of Shang was overthrown, established the Zhou dynasty Political: Zhou claimed “Mandate of Heaven” or a divine right to rule This led into the belief of the dynastic cycle Used to explain the rise and fall of dynasties

Zhou Dynasty Social: Feudalism Economic: growth of economy, ironworking, farming became more productive (surplus) Use of money, increased trade Religious: polytheistic, ancestor prayer and offerings