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Shang and Zhou Dynasties Shang 1650-1027 bc First civilization in Ancient China… In the other four parts of the world what were the first civilizations called? Egypt: Mesopotamia: India •Developed on the Huang He and Yangzi rivers •So isolated led these Chinese people to believe they were the center of the Earth and sole source of civilization. Called themselves “Middle Kingdom” •Why do you think they called themselves “Middle Kingdom”? Government of Shang Kings Capital City: Anyang Kings Priests/nobles SOCIAL CLASS clans Divided between nobles and peasants Nobles sent tribute to ruler in exchange for local control Religion of Shang Polytheistic Chief God: Shang Di (mother goddess brought plants and animals to earth) Veneration of Ancestors: Pray and give sacrifices to ancestors because bring good fortune to families Why worship ancestors and not gods? Shang religion cont. Yin/Yang Yin: earth, darkness, female Yang: heaven, light, male Must be harmony between two sides Shang System of Writing Used both Pictographs and Ideographs Found earliest form of writing on Oracle Bones Very hard to learn Advantages: enabled unity: they could not all speak the same language but could read it. Disadvantages: Tens of thousands of characters, only upper class learned to read and write – very difficult Zhou Dynasty: 1027 – 256 bc Zhou overthrew the Shang Dynasty Explanation for taking power from Shang was the Mandate of Heaven Mandate of Heaven Divine right to rule Gods given ruler the right to rule Dynasty: Ruling family; hereditary Created a system based in Feudalism: Local lords govern their own lands but owed military service/other forms of support to ruler. Zhou kings lost power and feudal lords became more powerful Advancements made by Zhou Iron Goods Iron axes and plows replaced stone or wood More efficient farming = use of money for 1st time More food Made trade easier More people New roads and Canals built SILK MAKING By 1000 bc the Chinese discovered how to make silk. This fabric became China’s most valuable export. The trade route that linked China to the west became known as the Silk Road. To protect this profitable traded, the Chinese kept the silk making process a secret Books Under the Zhou, the Chinese also made the first books