Chinese Civilization

Location Huang He Valley Modern Day East Asia/China Isolated by Natural Barriers

Huang He River Also known as the Yellow River This river deposits yellowish silt (loess) when it floods

Rivers Huang He and Yangtze Flooding was unpredictable  China’s sorrow

Flooding

Farming Takes place between the two rivers Limited trade had to supply most of own goods

Rise of Civilization Around 2000 BC cities began to develop The first dynasty to appear was the Xia Dynasty led by Yu

Shang 1700 BC until 1027 BC written records built elaborate tombs and palaces

Cities Anyang-the capital City walls -wood with clay and straw  necessary because they were constantly at war Note: This picture is a recreation

Warfare Used chariots from western Asia  Professional warriors from nobility class used them

Culture Group more important than the individual Main loyalty to family Respect for elders Controlled by men

Social structures People who lived outside of China were considered to be a barbarian Social Classes  Upper-Warriors and Kings  Middle-Traders (Small group)  Lower-Farmers and Peasants Peasants did not learn to write but nobles did

Religious Beliefs Family linked to religion Ancestors  Could bring good or bad fortune Polytheistic  They worshipped gods led by a supreme god known as Shang Di

Oracle bones Animal bones or tortoise shells Priests carved questions for the gods

Writing No link between the written and spoken language Standard Language

Zhou Dynasty They took over in 1027 BC after overthrowing the Shang Adopted the Shang culture

Mandate of Heaven Good and just rulers had the Mandate of Heaven Bad rulers had lost the mandate

The rise and fall of dynasties was called the dynastic cycle

Feudalism Control of different regions was given to members of the royal family This is a political system in which nobles are granted lands that belong to the king

Political Structure Made up of a series of dynasties that ran empires A centralized government  public works projects

Economic Structure Irrigation projects The chariot Roads and canals Coined Money Furnaces

Silk Made from silk worm’s thread Woven into fabric

Decline of the Zhou Ruled from 1027 BC to 256 BC They gradually weakened Wars developed between the regions and this time was known as “the time of warring states”