1. Warm-Up Because the Harappan language has not been deciphered yet, most of our information about them comes from their ruins and artifacts. How might future archaeologists describe our culture if they didn’t understand our language?

2. Chap. 2, Sect. 4 River Dynasties in China
Goals:
Describe the geography and environmental challenges of the Chinese river valley.
Describe early Chinese cities.
Analyze the importance of family in early Chinese culture.
Explain how early Chinese writing was different from the other languages we have seen so far.
Explain the idea of “Mandate from Heaven” and its role in the Chinese dynastic cycle.

3. Geography of China River Valley
Area has natural barriers – ocean, desert, and mtns. these barriers kept China semi-isolated and protected 2 rivers – Huang He “Yellow River” to the north named after the yellow colored silt contained within it Chang Jiang – Yangtze to the south

4. Environmental Challenges
Floods – could be disastrous, at times destroying whole villages, Yellow River referred to as “China’s Sorrow” Natural Barriers were only semi-effective, invaders from the desert would repeatedly invade the river valley Geographic isolation limited trade with other groups, it did occur- but on a smaller scale Only 10% of China’s land is suitable for farming, the majority of which is between these two rivers

5. Early Civilization in China
Homo Erectus skeleton was discovered near Beijing -“Peking Man” – dates back to c. 500,000 B.C. Cities first began to show up c B.C. According to Chinese legend, the first dynasty was the Xia, with Yu as their first king. Yu was an engineer and mathematician who devised ways of flood control and invented irrigation True or not? No written records, but sites dating to this time have been discovered

6. Shang Dynasty c B.C. – 1027 B.C.
c B.C. Shang dynasty rose to power - first dynasty to keep written records, had elaborate palaces and tombs Anyang- was one its capitals -built mainly of wood- very little stone -located in a forest clearing -higher classes had timber framed houses with walls of clay and straw -peasants/craftsmen lived in huts

7. Shang Dynasty cont.
Anyang and other cities were surrounded by earthen walls for protection Walls some up to 118 ft wide at base and up to 1.5 miles in diameter est. 10,000 men 12 yrs to make Shows ability of Shang rulers to organize and control large #’s of people Also evidence of professional warriors who used chariots – chariots probably came up from Fertile Crescent

8. Family was/is very important in the Chinese Culture
Family was/is very important in the Chinese Culture. How important do you think family is in the American culture? Why or Why not?

9. Ancient Chinese Culture
Chinese people thought anyone non-Chinese were barbarians The group was more important than the individual Chief loyalty was to family/elders first Obedience and respect of rulers was expected and norm

10. Ancient Chinese Families
Parents and Elders were respected and honored Oldest Man was the leader of the family Men controlled the property and were decision makers Women were inferior and obedient to men- fathers, husbands, even sons Marriages where arranged when girls She would be low ranking in husband’s family unless she had sons Honor to Us All

11. Social Classes
Sharply divided between nobles and peasants/craftsmen Ruling class – warriors/nobles with king in charge they owned the land worked by peasants Under the Zhou dynasty this changed to Feudalism system

12. Religion
Family and Religion linked
Family ancestors had power to bring good fortune or disaster
- They weren’t gods, but spirits who wanted attention and could either be helpful or troublesome
-The ancestors of the fathers were honored and given gifts at family shrines
Burials were elaborate with tombs filled with items needed in the afterlife, similar to Egyptians
They also had gods – Shang Di was the supreme god and they had lesser gods as well
Oracle Bones – bones and tortoise shells with inscriptions used to communicate with gods and ancestors

13. Writing
Each character =one syllable or unit of lang No connection ‘tween spoken and written language One could read the lang. but not be able to speak it Advantage- people all over China have one written lang. even if local dialects were different Disadvantage- huge # of symbols to be memorized barely literate=1400 , scholars = 10,000 Few were educated at high levels of fluency

14. Technology/Trade
Roads and canals were built to ease trade Coin $ was introduced –no longer restricted to barter Blast furnaces were invented- capable of getting hot enough to make cast iron Zhou dynasty cast iron not matched until European middle ages Cast iron weapons, agricultural tools Bronze working was also highly developed in China

15. Zhou Dynasty
c B.C. the Zhou overthrew the Shang and began new dynasty – but adopted much of the Shang culture Zhou wanted to get people on their side, so they used their gods- Claimed the last Shang king was no good, so gods took his power away and gave it to the Zhou Mandate of Heaven – idea that royal authority is given by the gods, if kings are not good/just rulers gods will take it away

16. Dynastic Cycle
Chinese people believed that as the dynasty in power declined (floods, famine, war etc.) it meant they had lost the approval of the gods Now ok to rebel and be disloyal – a new dynasty would emerge and they would have the people’s loyalty and respect until they lost favor with gods

17. Feudalism in Ancient China
Political system where nobles/lords are given control over land that belongs to king – in turn, they serve in military, protect the people and pay tribute to king
Zhou dynasty covered large area- so king divided it up among family members and trusted nobles
At first local lords were dependent on king, but gradually grew in $ and power and began to fight among themselves to gain more land and wealth eventually led to the Warring States Period

18. Warring States & the End of the Zhou
Zhou ruled c B.C. -generally peaceful and stable -c. 770 B.C. the king was murdered by nomads -surviving family members moved the capital and continued ruling, but dynasty was weaker -local feudal lords began to fight with each other more and became “warlords” -The Warlords became local authorities and the Zhou Dynasty ended.