Ancient China

Geography China’s geography played an important role in its development.

Gobi Desert Himalayas

Chinese civilization begins along the Huang He (Yellow) River.

Due to unpredictable flooding the river was know as the River of Sorrow.

Ancient China map

Mythological rulers of ancient China Pan Gu (P’an-ku) Creator of the universe Pangu was said to be the creation god in Chinese mythology. He was a giant sleeping in an egg of chaos. As he awoke, he stood up and divided the sky and the earth. Pangu then died after standing up, and his body turned into rivers, mountains, plants, animals, and everything else in the world.

Fuxi (Fu-his) taught the people to hunt & fish.

Shennong (Shen-nung) taught the people agriculture.

Huangdi (Huang-ti) taught the people silk-making.

Yu taught large scale irrigation & flood control.

Lungshan & Yangshao: First Cities

Achievements: Developed the potters wheel. Developed baked bricks for houses. Harvested silk. Developed irrigation systems.

In 2200 B.C. a series of dynasties began to rule in China. What is a dynasty?

1. Xia Dynasty

2. Shang Dynasty 1700-1000 B.C.

Yin; the capital of Shang Dynasty. Founded ca. 1384 B.C.E.

Social Class

King, royal family, nobles, Shang Social Order King, royal family, nobles, warriors Craftworkers Farmers Slaves

Religion

Chinese practiced an ancestor-worship where they would call upon their ancestors to help them.

Oracle bone; Divination was practiced by heating tortoise shells till they cracked, then studying the cracks. The prediction was written on the shell.

Innovations and Inventions

Writing The Shang Dynasty developed a writing system around 1766 B.C.E.

Bronze The Shang also began to work in bronze. Bronze is a mixture of copper and tin. The artisans (craftworkers) would make beautiful bronze containers for cooking and religious ceremonies.

The Shang also used bronze body armor, powerful bows and war chariots in their armies.

Monopoly of Bronze weapons & manufacturing Monopoly of Bronze weapons & manufacturing. Death was the penalty for making bronze without royal permission.

They also made axes, knives, and ornaments from a stone called jade.

Traded cowry shells for money

The Shang dynasty was the first to actively cultivate silk. Sericulture The Shang dynasty was the first to actively cultivate silk.

It was believed that rulers received their authority from the gods It was believed that rulers received their authority from the gods. It was called “The Mandate of Heaven.” As dynasties weakened and new leaders arose, the Chinese believed that the gods were removing their mandate and giving it to another.

Using this philosophy, the people rebelled against the Shang. This introduced the 3rd dynasty. The Zhou Dynasty

The Zhou Dynasty introduced feudalism.

Gives land to the farmers Zhou Feudal Society Emperor Gives land to nobles Nobles Nobles Gives land to the farmers Farmers Farmers

Emperor Zhou Feudal Society Nobles Nobles Give their loyalty and provide military support Nobles Nobles Farmers farm for the lords and serve in their armies Farmers Farmers

• This was a time of Feudalism government with competing warlords. • There were few great accomplishments in science, art and literature, but China excelled in philosophy as great Sages (wise men) tried to bring about Unity, Peace & Prosperity.

Question Time! What mountain range and desert isolate China? What river did the Chinese civilization start along? Who was the mythological ruler who created the universe? What is a dynasty? Name the first three dynasties of China? What is bronze a mixture of? What did they trade for money?

8. What is Sericulture? 9. What is the Mandate of Heaven? 10. What is feudalism?