Early Civilization in China ( 中国 ): The Shang ( 尚 ) and Zhou ( 周 ) Dynasties ( 王朝 ) Mr. Stubblefield & Mrs. Gaither World History ( 历史 )

What’s special about Chinese history? Why should Americans care? unbroken China – Longest “unbroken” history among world civilizations (at least 5,000 years) The history for at least 1 in every 5 people (20%) in the world today (USA = 4.5%) China likely to re-emerge with the world’s largest economy before 2025 China owned the world’s largest economy during 18 of the past 20 centuries (until the 1870s)

China’s first civilizations developed in river valleys ( 流域 ) Two major rivers supplied water for earliest civilizations 1. Chang Jiang ( 长江 ), also called Yangzi 2. Huang He ( 黄河 ), or Yellow River China’s Geography ( 中国地理 )

The Huang He/Yellow River ( 黄河 ) Annual floods ( 洪水 ) deposited rich soil on flood plains ( 冲积平原 ) Valley of Huang He particularly fertile due to loess ( 黄土 ), a fine dusty soil carried into China by desert winds Also called the “River of Sorrows” ( 悲伤河 )

Crops Southern China ( 中国南部 )—warm, receives plenty of rainfall, excellent region for growing rice ( 水稻 ) Northern China ( 中国北方 )—cooler and drier; suitable for grains, wheat ( 小麦 ), millet ( 粟 )

Isolation ( 隔离 ) Relative isolation Mountains ( 山 ), desert ( 沙漠 ), and jungle ( 林 ) protected China from invasion

Summarize What geographic features influenced life in early China? Why was China called the “middle kingdom”? Answer: Rivers deposited rich soil for farming; mountains, hills, and desert isolated the area.

China ruled by strong monarchy ( 国王 ) Loyal clan ( 氏族 ) leaders acted as the king’s governors and ruled distant parts of kingdom The king’s army prevented rebellions, fought outside opponents Most people were peasant farmers ( 农民 ) Government ( 政府 ) and Society ( 社会 ) The Shang ( 尚 ) Dynasty ( BC)

Oracle Bones ( 甲骨 ) As part of worship, Shang asked ancestors for advice through use of oracle bones Inscribed bits of animal bone, turtle shell Living person asked question of ancestor Hot piece of metal applied to oracle bone resulting in cracks on bone’s surface Specially trained priests interpreted meaning of cracks to learn answer

Chinese Writing Oracle bones were the earliest form of writing in China. The characters eventually evolved into modern script.

End of Dynasty Armies from nearby tribe, Zhou, invaded, established new ruling dynasty Bronze ( 铜器 ) Shang religion led to great advances in working with bronze Highly decorative bronze vessels, objects created for religious rituals Also built huge structures like tombs Created calendar and money system Shang Achievement and Decline

In that case, they said, it was the will of the gods that that dynasty be overthrown and a new one take power. When Zhou conquered Shang, leaders worried Chinese people would not accept them Introduced idea they ruled by Mandate of Heaven ( 天命 ) Gods would support a just ruler and not allow anyone corrupt to hold power Government The Zhou ( 周 )Dynasty ( BC) Zhou said Shang overthrown because they lost gods’ favor Later rulers used Mandate of Heaven to explain dynastic cycle, rise and fall of dynasties in China If dynasty lost power, it obviously had become corrupt Dynastic Cycle

Zhou learned to use iron ( 鐵 ), became backbone of economy. Iron was strong, could be cast more cheaply, quickly than bronze. Iron weapons strengthened Zhou army, as did new weapons like catapult and creation of China’s first cavalry The Chinese learned to make silk, which became China’s most valuable export. Zhou Achievements

Zhou Achievements, cont. Growth Population grew under Zhou Farmers learned new techniques, increased size of harvest, created food surpluses; cities also grew Roads, canals allowed better transportation, communication Introduced coins, use of chopsticks

“Warring States Period” ( 戰國 ) 403 BC to 221 BC, number of small states fought each other for land, power know as the Warring States Period Zhou still nominally in charge, but power almost nonexistent by mid-200s BC Qin ( 秦 ), new dynasty, arose to bring end to Warring States Period, Zhou dynasty

Analyze How did China change under the Zhou? Answer: iron technology, population grew, new farm techniques, more food, cities grew, roads and canals built, coins and chopsticks introduced