1. ChINA
3000 B.C. – 300 B.C.

2. Rivers The Huang (Yellow River) The Chang Xi 2,900 miles across
Fertile Soil “Loess” Yellow tint
Floods/Built dikes
The Chang Xi

3. Geographical Setting/Natural Barriers
Gobi Desert (Harsh)
Himalayan Mnts. (Rugged)
Rain Forests
Pacific Ocean
Well Protected (Strong Identity & Distinctive Culture)

5. Civilizations Dynasty Shang Dynasty Zhou Dynasty Qin Dynasty
Rulers from same family
Shang Dynasty
Created China’s first dynasty
Bureaucracy (Well organized government)
Introduced simple irrigation & Flood Control
Zhou Dynasty
“Mandate of Heaven” (Right to Rule)
Longest dynasty in history
Qin Dynasty
Autocracy
Short dynasty 15 years

6. Civilizations Han Dynasty Civil Service System (Elite)
Price Leveling System
Trade “Silk Road”

7. Religion Polytheistic Animism Oracle Bones Buddhism Confucianism
Gods of Nature & Control Human Destiny
Animism
All spirits inhabit everything – Ancestor worship
Oracle Bones
Priests important
Buddhism
Confucianism
Daoism
Legalism

8. Government Dynasties Feudal System Mandate from Heaven Bureaucracy
Territories ruled by family
Nobles
Mandate from Heaven
Bureaucracy
Autocracy
Civil Service

9. Leaders
Shang Dynasty
Zhou Dynasty
Qin Dynasty
Han Dynasty

10. Written Language Pictographs Ideograms Calligraphy Ideas or activities
Eventually writing became art

11. Ideograms

13. Social Classes Shang Dynasty Zhou Dynasty Kings Nobles Priests
Peasants
Zhou Dynasty
Government Officials
Soldiers
Artisans
Merchants

14. Achievements Calendar Leveling System Bronze Weapons Calligraphy
Genealogy
Acupuncture
Astronomy
Irrigation
Jade Ornaments
Ivory Carvings
Paper
Sundial
Bronze Weapons
The Spoke Wheel
Pottery, Porcelain
Silk Textiles
Two-Horse Chariot
Yoke & Harness
Seismograph