1. River Dynasties in China
Section 4
River Dynasties in China
Early rulers introduce ideas about government and society that shape Chinese civilization.
NEXT

2. River Dynasties in China
SECTION 4
River Dynasties in China
The Geography of China
Map
Barriers Isolate China
• Ocean, mountains, deserts isolate China from other
areas
River Systems
• Huang He (“Yellow River”) in north, Yangtze in south
• Huang He leaves loess—fertile silt—when it floods
Image
Environmental Challenges
• Huang He floods can devour whole villages
• Geographic isolation means lack of trade; must be
self-sufficient
China’s Heartland
• North China Plain, area between two rivers, center
of civilization
NEXT

3. Civilization Emerges in Shang Times
SECTION 4
Civilization Emerges in Shang Times
The First Dynasties
• Around 2000 B.C. cities arise; Yu, first ruler of Xia
Dynasty
• Yu’s flood control systems tames Huang He
(“Yellow River”)
• Shang Dynasty, 1700 to 1027 B.C., first to leave
written records
Early Cities
• Built cities of wood, such as Anyang—one of its capital
cities
• Upper class lives inside city; poorer people live outside
• Shang cities have massive walls for military defense
NEXT

4. The Development of Chinese Culture
SECTION 4
The Development of Chinese Culture
Chinese Civilization
• Sees China as center of world; views others as
uncivilized
• The group is more important than the individual
Family
• Family is central social institution; respect for parents a
virtue
• Elder males control family property
• Women expected to obey all men, even sons
Social Classes
• King and warrior-nobles lead society and own the land
Continued . . .
NEXT

5. Development of Writing
SECTION 4
continued The Development of Chinese Culture
Religious Beliefs
• Spirits of dead ancestors can affect family fortunes
• Priests scratch questions on animal bones and
tortoise shells
• Oracle bones used to consult gods; supreme god,
Shang Di
Image
Development of Writing
• Writing system uses symbols to represent syllables;
not ideas
• People of different languages can use same system
• Huge number of characters make system difficult to
learn
Chart
NEXT

6. Zhou and the Dynastic Cycle
SECTION 4
Zhou and the Dynastic Cycle
The Zhou Take Control
• In 1027 B.C., Zhou Dynasty takes control of China
Map
Mandate of Heaven
• Mandate of Heaven—the belief that a just ruler had
divine approval
• Developed as justification for change in power to Zhou
• Dynastic cycle—pattern of the rise and decline of
dynasties
Control Through Feudalism
• Feudalism—system where kings give land to nobles in
exchange for services
• Over time, nobles grow in power and begin to fight each
other
Continued . . .
NEXT

7. Improvements in Technology and Trade
SECTION 4
continued Zhou and the Dynastic Cycle
Improvements in Technology and Trade
• Zhou Dynasty builds roads, canals to improve
transportation
• Uses coins to make trade easier
• Produces cast iron tools and weapons; food
production increases
Image
A Period of Warring States
• Peaceful, stable Zhou empire rules from around 1027
to 256 B.C.
• In 771 B.C., nomads sack the Zhou capital, murder
monarch
• Luoyang becomes new capital; but internal wars
destroy traditions
NEXT

8. The Unification of China
Section 4
The Unification of China
The social disorder of the warring states contributes to the development of three Chinese ethical systems.
NEXT

9. The Unification of China
SECTION 4
The Unification of China
Confucius and the Social Order
Zhou Dynasty
• Lasted 1027 to 256 B.C.; ancient values decline near
end of dynasty
Confucius Urges Harmony
• End of Zhou Dynasty is time of disorder
• Scholar Confucius wants to restore order,
harmony, good government
• Stresses developing good relationships, including
family
• Promotes filial piety—respect for parents and
ancestors
• Hopes to reform society by promoting good
government
Image
Image
Continued . . .
NEXT

10. Confucian Ideas About Government
SECTION 4
continued Confucius and the Social Order
Confucian Ideas About Government
• Thinks education can transform people
• Teachings become foundation for bureaucracy,
a trained civil service
• Confucianism is an ethical system of right and
wrong, not a religion
• Chinese government and social order is based on
Confucianism
NEXT

11. Other Ethical Systems Daoists Seek Harmony Legalists Urge Harsh Rule
SECTION 4
Other Ethical Systems
Daoists Seek Harmony
• Laozi teaches that people should follow the
natural order of life
• Believes that universal force called Dao guides
all things
• Daoism philosophy is to understand nature and
be free of desire
• Daoists influence sciences, alchemy, astronomy,
medicine
Image
Legalists Urge Harsh Rule
• Legalism emphasizes the use of law to restore order; stifles criticism
• Teaches that obedience should be rewarded,
disobedience punished
Continued . . .
NEXT

12. SECTION 4
continued Other Ethical Systems
I Ching and Yin and Yang
• I Ching (The Book of Changes) offers good advice,
common sense
• Concept of yin and yang—two powers represent
rhythm of universe
• Yin: cold, dark, soft, mysterious; yang: warm, bright,
hard, clear
• I Ching and yin and yang explain how people fit into
the world
Image
NEXT

13. The Qin Dynasty Unifies China
SECTION 4
The Qin Dynasty Unifies China
The Qin Dynasty
• Qin Dynasty replaces Zhou Dynasty in third
century B.C.
A New Emperor Takes Control
• Emperor Shi Huangdi unifies China, ends fighting,
conquers new lands
• Creates 36 administrative districts controlled by Qin
officials
• With legalist prime minister, murders Confucian scholars, burns books
• Establishes an autocracy, a government with
unlimited power
Image
Continued . . .
NEXT

14. A Program of Centralization
SECTION 4
continued The Qin Dynasty Unifies China
A Program of Centralization
• Shi Huangdi builds highways, irrigation projects;
increases trade
• Sets standards for writing, law, currency, weights and
measures
• Harsh rule includes high taxes and repressive
government
Great Wall of China
• Emperor forces peasants to build Great Wall to keep
out invaders
Image
The Fall of the Qin
• Shi Huangdi’s son loses the throne to rebel leader;
Han Dynasty begins
NEXT