1. Early Society in East Asia
Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties

2. East Asia Geography 3 River System YELLOW RIVER Himalaya Mountains
Gobi Desert
Takla Makan Desert
Pacific Ocean
Geographic Isolation  ETHNOCENTRISM
“Middle Kingdom” World View

3. Dynastic Cycle
The cycle of the rise and fall of Chinese Dynasties.

4. Xia Dynasty Yellow River Valley No Surviving Written Records
Little Archaeological Evidence

5. Shang Dynasty Easier to Study (Written Records/Material Remains)
BRONZE METALLURGY and CHARIOTS (Likely from SW Asia)
Ruling Elites Monopolized Bronze Production - Did Not Permit Free Production of Bronze
Capital Cities (Ao and Yin)

7. Bronze

8. Zhou Dynasty No Laws – Ruled by Proclamation with military enforcement
The Mandate of Heaven
Right to govern from Heaven
Ruler was link between Heaven and Earth
Political Organization
Decentralized Administration
Entrusted local power to subordinates in exchange for allegiance

11. Zhou Decline Subordinates Gradually Amass Power
Zhou Kings could not control IRON production
Iron Production – Cheaper and Easier to Produce than Bronze (So What?)
Nomadic Invasions
PERIOD OF WARRING STATES

13. Society in Ancient China
Patriarchal (Large States Propel Men)
Matrilineal  Patrilineal
Family is Central
Veneration of Ancestors
Privileged Class of Hereditary Aristocrats

14. Chinese Culture Less Formalized Religion Oracle Bones
Writing for Government not Religion
Pictographic Writing System
Limited Literature: Book of Changes, Book of History, Book of Etiquette, Book of Songs

17. Nomadic Interactions Nomads Constantly Invade
Trade: Horses for Agriculture and Finished Products
Tense Relations
Facilitate Cultural Diffusion (W ↔ E)