Shang Dynasty Shang may have built the first Chinese cities Anyang in Northern China was China’s first capital

Shang Dynasty People of the Shang Dynasty divided into groups King and family-most powerful Later they chose warlords to govern territories The controlled larger armies to defend the borders.

Shang Dynasty Under the king the warlords made up the upper class or aristocrats. Aristocrats- noble whose wealth came from land ownership

Shang Dynasty Few people were artisans or traders. Most were farmers who worked the land for the aristocrats END 7-1A

Shang Dynasty Spirits & Ancestors People worshipped gods and spirits Believed that god and spirits were to be kept happy by making offerings of food and other goods.

Shang Dynasty Spirits & Ancestors People also honored their departed family members. Offerings were made in the hope that ancestors would help in time of need and bring good luck.

Shang Dynasty Telling the future Shang kings believed they received power and wisdom from the gods. Shang religion was closely linked together just like the Egyptians and Mesopotamians.

Shang Dynasty Telling the future The kings asked for the gods help by using oracle bones. Kings would scratch questions into bones and a priest would interpret the answers

Shang Dynasty Chinese Language Chinese language uses pictographs and ideographs Pictographs- characters that stand for objects Ideographs-join 2 or more pictographs to make an idea

Shang Dynasty Shang Artists Shang artists made vases and dishes with fine white clay Carved statues from Ivory and jade

Zhou Dynasty Wu Wang 1045 BC led a revolt against the Shang Dynasty, because the Shang began treating people cruelly. Wu then started the Zhou Dynasty

Zhou Dynasty Ruled for more than 800 years. Ruled similar to the Shang Had a large bureaucracy Bureaucracy- group of appointed officials responsible for different areas of govt.

Zhou Dynasty The Zhou copied the Shang system in dividing the country into smaller territories Chinese considered the king the link between earth and heaven.

Zhou Dynasty Mandate of Heaven Zhou rulers said a heavenly law gave them the power to rule. This was called the Mandate of Heaven