1. Ancient China
Why was this the longest lasting early river valley civilization?
What were some advances/achievements from this civilization

2. Ancient China --Between Huang He River and Yangtze River
Ancient China, 2000–200 B.C.
Ancient China
--Between Huang He River and Yangtze River
--Natural Barriers: deserts, mountains, oceans
--Longest lasting culture because of its isolation
Huang He River
Yangtze
Extent of Shang Dynasty
(Approximate)
Extent of Zhou Dynasty
Border of modern China

3. Geography of China
Isolated by natural barriers
China

4. Environmental Challenges
Solutions
Flooding of Huang He
Geographic isolation
Occasional invasion from north and west
Irrigation, dams
Very self-reliant because of long distance trade was difficult
Construction of the Great Wall of China

5. Shang Dynasty Dynasties: Ruling family, power passed down
Shang dynasty: ( BCE)
Built elaborate palaces
Massive earthen walls around cities
Beginning of written language—Pictographs
Silk

6. Social Classes Sharp divisions Feudalism
Political system in which nobles are granted the use of lands that legally belong to the king
In exchange, the nobles owe loyalty and military service to the king and protection to the people on the land

7. Writing System Written and spoken languages are not connected.
Unified people
Difficult language/illiteracy:
Characters stand for ideas, and there are over 50,000 characters.
Oracle Bones

8. Technological advances
Bronze -> Cast iron
Silk
Chariots
Coined money

9. Why do they get to rule?
Mandate of Heaven: the divine approval to govern
Justified right to rule and right to overthrow
Required a sign from the heavens that a dynasty no longer had right to rule.

10. How do dynasties change?
Violent War
Winner’s prize is Mandate
Winner becomes new ruler
Civil War
Ruler no longer has
Mandate of Heaven.
Who should Rule?
Golden Age
Life is good
Mandate of Heaven
New Ruler
Problems begin
Corruption,
Instability,
War,
Taxes,
Etc.
Natural Disaster
Famine,
Drought,
Overpopulation
disease
Start
Dynastic
Cycle

11. Zhou Dynasty BCE
Used the Mandate of Heaven to justify their rule.
Slight expansion, but some territorial loss from invasions
Ruled 900 years
Iron (stronger tools for farming)
Confucius born 11

12. Confucianism – Key Beliefs
Moral, political, and social philosophy
Natural Order – each person has role in society, which reflects position in universe
Filial Piety – respect parents and elders
In a relationship, there is a superior and an inferior. Superior shows love and responsibility while the inferior must show loyalty and obedience.
Good gov’t could be restored if society is organized around 5 basic relationships
Ruler and subject
Father and son
Husband and wife
Older brother and younger brother
Friend and friend