Ancient Chinese Civilizations The Shang, Zhou & Qin Dynasties

The first known dynasty of China was the Shang dynasty. Geo: This dynasty united the people living around the Huang He and Yangtze river valleys.

The Zhou Dynasty Around 1027 B.C., the Zhou conquered the Shang. Around 1027 B.C., the Zhou conquered the Shang. The Zhou dynasty lasted longer than any other Chinese dynasty. It lasted from 1027 B.C. to 221 B.C. The Zhou dynasty lasted longer than any other Chinese dynasty. It lasted from 1027 B.C. to 221 B.C. In order to govern area, began practicing feudalism In order to govern area, began practicing feudalism Japan’s rugged terrain Hard for rulers to look over nobles (gave nobles more power) nobility (samurai) were religiously loyal to their local lords, the lords didn’t give them land to own

Mandate of Heaven The Mandate of Heaven was the Chinese belief that the gods picked the emperor to rule but the gods could also remove a bad emperor from power. The Mandate of Heaven was the Chinese belief that the gods picked the emperor to rule but the gods could also remove a bad emperor from power. The Mandate of Heaven can be viewed as the right to rule. The Mandate of Heaven can be viewed as the right to rule. Dynastic cycle: The ruler kept the Mandate of Heaven for as long as he ruled effectively. Dynastic cycle: The ruler kept the Mandate of Heaven for as long as he ruled effectively.

Philosophers during Zhou China During the Zhou dynasty, two important Chinese philosophies developed. During the Zhou dynasty, two important Chinese philosophies developed. Confucianism and Daoism were two significant philosophies developed during the Zhou dynasty. Confucianism and Daoism were two significant philosophies developed during the Zhou dynasty. Both philosophies stressed the importance of harmony as Zhou China experienced increased warfare. Both philosophies stressed the importance of harmony as Zhou China experienced increased warfare.

Confucianism….Remember? Confucius was China’s most influential scholar. He had a deep desire to restore the moral order of earlier times. He thought people should abide by a code of proper conduct within their relationships. Ruler to subject Parent to child Husband to wife Elder to younger sibling Friend to friend

It is believed that the founder of Daoism or Taoism was Lao Tzu. Daoism was a philosophy that stressed the importance of nature. By living naturally, harmony could be achieved. Daoism (Laozi)

Masculine Active Light Warmth Strong Heaven; Sun Feminine Passive Darkness Cold Weak Earth; Moon

Achievements of the Zhou Empire built roads and canals built roads and canals coined money / helped trade coined money / helped trade furnaces produced cast iron furnaces produced cast iron

Zhou to Qin: Warring States Disorder or loose government of Later Zhou devolves into “Warring States Period” Disorder or loose government of Later Zhou devolves into “Warring States Period” Autonomous smaller regions emerge as largely independent nations Autonomous smaller regions emerge as largely independent nations Periodic war ensues Periodic war ensues One among the several emerges to establish a new, far more centralized dynasty One among the several emerges to establish a new, far more centralized dynasty Qin Dynasty emerges as the first Chinese “Empire” 221 BC Qin Dynasty emerges as the first Chinese “Empire” 221 BC

Qin Shi Huang Di Unifies China by brute force Adopts Legalism as official governing ideology-Humans are selfish and evil; can not be reformed Rules with ruthless, iron fist Confucian doctrine is misguided and corrupting

Qin Dynasty: Qin Shi HuangDi Rejects Confucian Governance Rules Orders Slaughter of 400 Scholars Orders ALL Confucian Documents/Books Burned

Qin Dynasty Captures and unifies much of China Builds first Great Wall Builds Canal System Include this Include this under summary under summary

Qin Dynasty: Qin Shi Huang Di Builds Great Tomb Terracotta Warriors – and still counting

Terracotta Army

Qin Dynasty: Problems Legalism Provides no Legitimating Myth No Mandate of Heaven Claim Legalism = rule of law --- but by force Force as a source of Power??? Generates Hostility Requires vigilant monitoring Inevitably creates the revolution that destroys it

Qin Dynasty: Collapse 205 BC First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang Di, Dies Son, heir not as capable or brutal Alienation leads to revolt and collapse

Early Chinese Dynasties Zhou 1027 – 256 BCE Qin BCE -Overthrew Shang dynasty -Justified this by saying gods had given power to Zhou (Mandate of Heaven) Replaced Zhou + used Legalist ideas (punishment and censorship) to unify To govern this huge area, established feudalism Innovations: -built roads and canals -coined money / helped trade -furnaces produced cast iron - Defeated invaders -Crushed resistance -Seized land of nobles Sent nobles to govern districts -Murdered Confucian scholars and burned books of opposition -Established autocracy Innovations: -4,000 miles of hwy Set standards for writing, law, currency, and measurements Built first parts of the Great Wall of China

Map these areas/places Shang Dynasty outline in color/Capital of Anyang Zhou Dynasty outline in color/Capital of Luoyang Qin Dynasty outline in color/Capital of Xianyang Great Wall in map D p. 23 Huang He/Yellow River Yangtze River Bay of Bengal South China Sea East China Sea Gobi Desert Himalaya Mountains