Download River Dynasties in China

River Valley Dynasties in
China
S. McGlauthing
The Geography of China
• Natural barriers isolated China from other
ancient civilizations
– Pacific Ocean
– Himilayas
– Deserts
• Huang He (Yellow River) deposited dusty
yellow silt when it floods. The silt is fertile
soil called loess.
China’s Dynasties
• Xia Dynsaty – no written records not much
known
• Shang Dynsaty – first family of Chinese rulers to
leave written records
– Anyang (capital) – was made of wood
– Surrounded their cities with walls
– Social Classes – sharp divisions between
• Nobles – owned land
• Peasants – worked the land
• Artisians made magnificant bronze weapons and vessels
Shang Dynasty
Origins of Culture
• Community and family more important than the individual
– Male dominate (patriarchial)
– Women treated inferior
• Achievements:
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–
–
–
Writing
Silk
Coined money
Cast iron
Chinese Dynasties
• Zhou Dynasty
– Overthrew the Shang
– Large cities with roads and canals
Your Turn
•
On page 15 of your ISN you will create a
illustrated dictionary. Terms can be found
on pages 48-50
– These are the terms you will illustrate:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Oracle bones
Mandate of Heaven
Dynastic Cycle
Feudalism