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Early China: Shang & Zhou Dynasties

Early China: Shang & Zhou Dynasties. Opening Question. How do rulers become rulers? Today we will examine this question more thoroughly. Geography. Natural barriers isolate China: North: Desert South: Mountains East: Ocean West: Desert & Mountains 2 rivers (Huang He, Chang Jiang)

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Early China: Shang & Zhou Dynasties

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  1. Early China:Shang & Zhou Dynasties

  2. Opening Question • How do rulers become rulers? • Today we will examine this question more thoroughly

  3. Geography • Natural barriers isolate China: • North: Desert • South: Mountains • East: Ocean • West: Desert & Mountains • 2 rivers (Huang He, Chang Jiang) • people to face 3 main challenges: • Disastrous floods, • isolation from other civs • poor land (only 10% is fertile)

  4. Geography • Land between rivers has always been the heartland of China • Legendary first leader, Yu, was a skilled engineer who proposed irrigation as flood control

  5. Check for Understanding • Based on the geographical information just shared, what can you predict early Chinese civilization was like?

  6. Shang Dynasty • Powerful family rose to power in 1700 BCE • Built first major city (Anyang) w/massive city walls, due to constant warring between peasants & Shang family • First era of written records

  7. Shang Culture • Chinese considered selves center of the world “Middle Kingdom” • Strict obedience to authority (gov’t, parents, men) • Strong division between nobles & peasants, nobles ruled villages on behalf of King • Religion emphasized good fortune & ancestor worship • Supreme God: Shang Di, ruled all

  8. Technology: Writing • Each character represented a syllable or unit • Writing & Speaking completely separate • Advantage: everyone learns same writing, even if different dialects spoken • Made gov’t control & communication easier • Disadvantage: up to 10,000 characters ---- too many!

  9. Zhou Dynasty • In 1027 BCE, overthrew Shangs • Instituted the Mandate of Heaven • Justified rebellion by declaring the gods were unhappy w/the Shangs • New view that authority came from heaven • Natural & Social events may be signs of approval/disapproval • Explanation for shifts in gov’t

  10. Zhou Feudalism • Control over regions given to noble families • Nobles use King’s lands – owe military service, loyalty, protection over peasants in return • Nobles became strong locally, built wealth/power & sometimes challenged the King

  11. Technological Improvements • Roads & Canals built for transportation and trade • Coined money, no bartering system – set prices • Cast iron (2,000 years before Europe), built excellent weapons & tools

  12. Zhou Collapse • Ruled until 256 BCE • Faced attacks from northern nomads, killed the King • Lords fought one another for land & power, declared selves “Kings” • Harmony of Shang/Zhou era replaced with greed, fear, conflict

  13. Assessment Q’s • 1. Which event do you think was the most significant turning point in early Chinese history? • 2. What family obligations did a Chinese person have? • 3. Do you think that the Zhou dynasty’s downfall resulted from its method of control? Why or why not?

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