1. Ancient China
Chapter 7

2. Basic Background Information
Ancient China time period is 1750 BC to 220 AD
Mainly developed on the Huang He River Valley (aka Yellow River)
Basic Soil of the river was very fertile and allowed for great farming.
Main problem was uncontrollable flooding
the constant flooding caused death and destruction.

3. Yangtze River Flows East to West 3rd Longest River in the world
Allowed rice to grow
Great use of trade and transportation
Located south of the Yellow River

4. Geography of China Only 1/10 of China’s land can be farmed
Southwest: Covered by the Himalaya Mountains
Western: Covered by the two mountains the Tian Shan and the Kunlun Shan
Northern: Covered by the Gobi Desert

5. Geography of China
Geographic features in China created a Natural boundary from the rest of the world.
This distance from the rest of the world allowed a unique culture to form
This area is called as the Middle Kingdom
to the Chinese people. (The people of
China saw China as the center of the Earth)

6. China’s 1st Dynasty (SHANG)
Ruled from 1523 to 1028 BC
First people to create cities
Cities were set up in a circle pattern with the Temple/Place in the center then Aristocrats, then Artisans, and lastly farm workers
Kings served as a Political, Religious, and Military Ruler
Kings ruled over the Huang He Valley
Kings appointed WARLORDS to serve as rulers of outer territories

8. Social Classes of the Shang Dynasty

9. Shang Dynasty Religion
Polytheistic Religion
Believed in one main god named Shang T
Many other gods that live in the mountains, river, and seas.
Made offerings of food and other basic materials/goods

10. Shang Dynasty Religion
Ancestor Worship and Honoring
Made offerings to the ancestors.
Believed that ancestors brought good luck and helped in hard times.

11. Shang Dynasty Ruling Power
Kings gained power through the gods
Kings gained wisdom from Ancestors
Religion and Government very closely linked.
Kings asked Oracle Bones to contact both the gods and the ancestors to answer any questions that they needed to make decisions.

12. Shang Dynasty Writings
Pictographs- Characters that represent objects
Ideographs- links two or more characters together to express an idea.

13. Shang Dynasty Art
Bronze was used to create all types of works of art including
Sculptures, Daggers, Vases, Cups, and Urns
Silk
Farmers raised silk worms
Weavers made silk into colorful clothing for the wealthy