The 1 st Dynasties of China

1. The 1st Dynasties of China 5.2

2. A. The Shang Dynasty • Ruled for 600years • Made up of hundreds of towns & villages along Huang He • Grew their kingdom by giving land to their family, who built new villages • Relatives were required to help in times of war, including soldiers from the villages • The villages were built with pit-houses • Tombs near the homes contained artifacts – maybe royal tombs • One of the tombs was for Fu Hao = Lady Hao, who even led troops

3. B. Writing • Writing began before the Shang • It began a lot like cuneiform, but changed • Early writing may have been on bamboo or silk, but it didn’t survive • Some writing on bronze pots and stone did survive • Oracle bones also survived

4. C. Religion • Believed their ancestors lived in another world & controlled human life • If an oracle’s prediction came true it meant the ancestors were helping the king • They also believed in many nature gods

5. D. China’s Classic Age • The Shang had an on & off relationship with the Zhou Kingdom • Wuwang of the Zhou conquered the Shang around 1100 B.C. • Claimed the right to rule based on the Mandate of Heaven • Similar to the idea of ancestors giving help • If you rule well and wisely you will receive help and continue to rule – if you don’t rule wisely someone will replace you • Zhou claimed they ruled because the last Shang emperor was evil

6. D. China’s Classic Age • Duke of Zhou is still a Chinese hero • When Wuwang died he left an infant son to rule • His uncle ruled for him • After a rebellion the kingdom he gave back the kingdom to his nephew • During the Zhou Dynasty China saw the most growth creativity • This is when the 5 Classics were written – they began the basic Chinese Literary style

7. E. Acheivements • Trade expanded • Built canals & roads • Made metal coins • Iron • Improved iron & iron production • New weapons, agricultural tools, & sculpture • Farming became easier to feed the growing population • Horses & chariots • Learned horseback riding from their northern neighbors • Developed chariots for battle • Both of these allowed soldiers & info. to travel faster

8. F. Warring States Period • The new weapons and techniques led local leaders to war with each other • Each local leader tried to attract thinkers & scholars • This led to new ideas & philosophies • A.K.A. the era of the “Hundred Schools” • Lao Zi, his teachings led to Daoism • Believed nature should be their guide • Influenced both art & medicine

9. G. Confucius • Born around 551 B.C. • His students wrote down his ideas and teachings • This book is called the Analects • Did not start a religion • He was a teacher who taught the lessons of the past • Believed education was the key to happiness, because education teaches benevolence – acting fairly toward others • If everyone in the government ruled with justice, prosperity follows naturally