Ancient China Chapter 7

Basic Background Information Ancient China time period is 1750 BC to 220 AD Mainly developed on the Huang He River Valley (aka Yellow River) Basic Soil of the river was very fertile and allowed for great farming. Main problem was uncontrollable flooding the constant flooding caused death and destruction.

Yangtze River Flows East to West 3rd Longest River in the world Allowed rice to grow Great use of trade and transportation Located south of the Yellow River

Geography of China Only 1/10 of China’s land can be farmed Southwest: Covered by the Himalaya Mountains Western: Covered by the two mountains the Tian Shan and the Kunlun Shan Northern: Covered by the Gobi Desert

Geography of China Geographic features in China created a Natural boundary from the rest of the world. This distance from the rest of the world allowed a unique culture to form This area is called as the Middle Kingdom to the Chinese people. (The people of China saw China as the center of the Earth)

China’s 1st Dynasty (SHANG) Ruled from 1523 to 1028 BC First people to create cities Cities were set up in a circle pattern with the Temple/Place in the center then Aristocrats, then Artisans, and lastly farm workers Kings served as a Political, Religious, and Military Ruler Kings ruled over the Huang He Valley Kings appointed WARLORDS to serve as rulers of outer territories

Social Classes of the Shang Dynasty

Shang Dynasty Religion Polytheistic Religion Believed in one main god named Shang T Many other gods that live in the mountains, river, and seas. Made offerings of food and other basic materials/goods

Shang Dynasty Religion Ancestor Worship and Honoring Made offerings to the ancestors. Believed that ancestors brought good luck and helped in hard times.

Shang Dynasty Ruling Power Kings gained power through the gods Kings gained wisdom from Ancestors Religion and Government very closely linked. Kings asked Oracle Bones to contact both the gods and the ancestors to answer any questions that they needed to make decisions.

Shang Dynasty Writings Pictographs- Characters that represent objects Ideographs- links two or more characters together to express an idea.

Shang Dynasty Art Bronze was used to create all types of works of art including Sculptures, Daggers, Vases, Cups, and Urns Silk Farmers raised silk worms Weavers made silk into colorful clothing for the wealthy