Chapter 3 Section 3

The Huang He (or Yellow River) is more than 2900 miles long and extends from Mongolia to the Pacific O. The Chang Jiang (Yangtze River) is over 3400 miles long and flows across central China to the Yellow Sea Both valleys became one of the greatest food- producing areas in the ancient world. Only 10% is farmable Other is deserts and mountains Mountains and deserts important in Chinese history Barriers from other Asians 4

Yellow River Yangtze River

What role have the mountains and deserts played in Chinese history? The mountains and deserts served as barriers that separated the Chinese people from other Asian people.

Chinese civilization started with the Xia (SYAH) dynasty over 4000 years ago Not much know about it Replaced by the Shang dynasty in 1750 B.C. til 1122 B.C. Primarily a farming society An aristocracy ruled society - an upper class whose wealth is based on land and whose power is passed from one generation to another Evidence of impressive cities in Shang China Huge walls, royal palaces, large royal tombs 5

King ruled from capital city, Anyang Kingdom divided into territories with aristocratic warlords (military leaders) in charge of each Chosen or removed by king King controlled large armies Often fought on the fringes of kingdom

Rulers believed they could communicate with the gods for help Priests scratched questions on bones to get answers from the gods Oracle bones Heated metal rods into the bones causing them to crack Priests interpreted cracks as answers from gods

Early Chinese had a strong belief in life after death Ancestor worship Humans were sacrificed to win the favor of the gods and provide companions for the king and his family on their journey to the next world Believed that the spirits of ancestors could bring good or evil to living members of a family Important to treat spirits well

King and family at top of Shang society Aristocratic families helped Waged war, served as officials, chief landowners Majority were peasants Farmed land of aristocrats Small number of merchants and artisans Well known for mastery of the art of bronze casting Some of the most admired creations of Chinese art

What were some of the religious beliefs during the Shang dynasty? Rulers believed they could communicate with the gods to help with their affairs. Priests could read oracle bones as answers from gods. The spirits of ancestors could bring good or evil to living members of a family (treat them well!)

Revolted against Shang, established new dynasty which lasted almost 800 years (1045 to 256 B.C.) Longest dynasty in Chinese history Continued political system of Shang King head of government Appointed officials (were aristocrats) Controlled large armies Some changes were made…

Mandate of Heaven –a belief during the Zhou dynasty that kings received their authority to command, or mandate, from Heaven King was chosen by Heaven because of his talent and virtue Expected to rule according to the proper “Way” or the Dao Mandate had strong political side effects “right of revolution” to overthrow corrupt or evil ruler

What was the Mandate of Heaven and how did it lead to dynastic cycles? The belief that kings received their authority to command, or mandate, from Heaven. It was the king’s duty to keep the gods pleased to protect people from bad harvest and disasters. If he failed, he could be overthrown. Led to pattern of dynastic cycles.

Important part of Chinese history Studied by nearly all students until 20 th century Duty of human beings to work hard to improve life here on Earth Two main concepts : duty and humanity Duty: all people had to subordinate their own interests to the broader needs of the family and the community Parent & child, husband & wife, older sibling & younger, older friend & young, ruler & subject: Each person has a duty to the other Humanity: compassion and empathy for others

Daoism - a system of ideas based on the teachings of Laozi (LOW DZUH) Don’t know if Laozi actually existed Ideas became popular in 5 th and 4 th centuries B.C. Discussed in Tao Te Ching (The Way of the Dao) Scholars have argued for centuries over its meaning Tries to set forth proper forms of behavior for humans on Earth Believe the true way to follow the will of Heaven is not action but inaction The best way to act in harmony with the universal order is to act spontaneously and let nature take its course by not interfering with it

Proposed that humans were evil by nature could only be brought to follow the correct path by harsh laws and stiff punishments Rejected Confucian views and argued for a system of impersonal laws Needed strong ruler to create order by threat of punishment and have no compassion

Contrast the three philosophies that developed in China near the end of the Zhou dynasty. Confucianism concentrated on duty Daoism emphasized spontaneity Legalism stressed the value of harsh laws