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Traditions & Encounters - Chapter Five: EARLY SOCIETIES IN EAST ASIA
The cultures of East Asia had relatively little direct contact with the complex societies to the west; nevertheless, powerful
states (the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties), sophisticated technologies, and highly stratified societies developed along the
banks of the Yellow and Yangzi rivers in China. These early societies were built on a foundation that would endure for
millennia, some of the significant components of which include
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The belief in the principle that the emperor was granted the power to rule through "the mandate of heaven." Thus
the emperor, known as the son of heaven, served as a crucial link between the heavenly powers and the people on
earth.
The extended family as the primary institution of society. The patriarchal head of the family wielded tremendous
power and shouldered great responsibilities. It was his job to see that appropriate religious rituals were observed in
the worship of the family’s departed ancestors. Those ancestors were believed to have control over the living
family's well-being.
A writing system that spread widely throughout China and still persists in its basic form, although modified through
time. Consequently Chinese society has experienced a virtually uninterrupted literary tradition.
Sharp distinctions and clearly defined roles within the society based on class, gender, and age.
Intro
Describe the achievements of “Yu.” Which dynasty did he found?
Section One: Political Organization in Early China
Intro: Describe political organization BEFORE the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties.
Early Agricultural Society and the Xia Dynasty
The Yellow River (Huang He) – Where does the “Yellow River” take its name from? Why is it called China’s sorrow?
Yangshao Society and Banpo Village – What is Banpo Village? What was excavated at this site?
The Xia Dynasty – Why do we know so little of the Xia Dynasty? What precedents did they set? What were some
achievements of this dynasty?
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Intro – Why do scholars know more about the Shang than the Xia?
The Shang Dynasty
Bronze Metallurgy and Horse-Drawn Chariots – How did bronze metallurgy and chariots help the Shang overthrow the Xia?
Shang Political Organization – Was Shang rule centralized or decentralized? Explain!!!
The Shang Capital at Ao – Describe the wall protecting this city?
The Shang Capital at Yin (later capital) – Describe what was found by archaeologists at this city
Beyond the Yellow River Valley – Why is the city of Sanxingdui significant?
The Rise of the Zhou – Describe the last Shang king (according to the Zhou). What did his actions result in?
The Mandate of Heaven – What is the “mandate of heaven?” What would happen if a ruler failed in his duties.
The Zhou Dynasty
Political Organization – Describe the decentralized rule of the Zhou. What did subordinates owe to Zhou rulers?
Weakening of the Zhou – How did subordinates contribute to the weakening of the Zhou.
Iron Metallurgy- how did the discovery of Iron metallurgy lead to the weakening of the Zhou
What factors lead to the collapse of the Zhou Dynasty?
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Section Two: Society and Family in Ancient China
Intro - Which social institution most directly influenced individuals’ lives and their roles in the larger society?
Ruling Elites – What set ruling elites apart from the less privileged class? Who were the Aristocrats?
The Social Order
Specialized Labor – Describe the work and lives of artisans and craftsmen.
Merchants and Trade – Where do archaeologists believe China traded? What goods were traded?
Peasants – Describe the relationship between peasant and lord. What were women’s duties?
Slaves – Where did slaves come from? What were their lives like?
Family and Patriarchy
Intro – why has family been an important social institution since Neolithic times?
Veneration of Ancestors – What is ancestor veneration? What role did ancestors play in the lives of the living?
Patriarchal Society – who held authority in Chinese society? Who was Fu Hao?
Section Three: Early Chinese Writing and Cultural Development
Oracle Bones and Early Chinese
Writing
Intro – How did early Chinese religious beliefs differ from those of Mesopotamia and Egypt?
Oracle Bones – What were oracle bones used for? What types of questions were asked?
Early Chinese writing – how was early Chinese writing similar to Sumerian and Egyptian?
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Thought and Literature in Ancient China
Zhou Literature – why did literature have such a deep influence? Which theme was addressed in The Book of Changes? The
Book of Etiquette?
The Book of Songs – What is found in this book?
Destruction of Chinese Literature – Why do only a few pieces of literature survive to the present day?
The Southern Expansion of Chinese
Society
Chinese Cultivaotrs and Nomadic Peoples of Central
Asia
Section Four: Ancient China and the Larger World
Intro – How did High mountain ranges, forbidding deserts and turbulent seas in and around China hinder it’s development?
Steppe Nomads – Describe the Steppe. How did steppe nomads (pastoral nomads) live?
Nomadic Society – What role did the pastoral nomads play in trade between east and west? How did they organize
themselves politically?
The Yangzi Valley – How did the Yangzi differ from the Huang He (yellow river)? What did they cultivate with irrigated waters
of the Yangzi?
The State of Chu - What was the relationship between The State of Chu and the Zhou Dynasty?
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