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Early Civilization in China China: Geography • Tian Shan & Himalayan Mountains • Brutal deserts • Thick jungles • Pacific Ocean What contact did China have with other civilizations? • Isolated • No direct contact • Pastoral Nomads on the steppes • Unique culture developed What are the main regions of China? East coast & valleys of Huang He (Yellow River) & Yangzi Rivers – Fertile – water for irrigation & transportation Outlying regions of Xinjuang, Mongolia • harsh • nomads & subsistence farmers • Trade & raid What is the “River of Sorrows”? • Huang He River • Loess settlesraises water level causes flooding Huang He = Yellow River Chinese Dynasties Xia Dynasty (c.2000 BCE) • • • • • centered on Huang He used irrigation system cast bronze oracle bones to tell future wheeled vehicles Shang Dynasty • 1650 BCE, Shang people took control of north China along Huang He • Dominated region until 1027 BCE • Chinese civilization began Shang Religious Beliefs • • • • • • Polytheistic/animistic Shang Di King connected to Shang Di Prayed to ancestors for good fortune Sacrifices of food, etc. Yin & Yang – Yin linked to Earth & Moondarkness-female force – Yang- Heaven- light- male forces – Well-being of Universe depended on balance Shang Religion: Rituals • Cult of Shang Di • Nature deities & human spirits controlled nature • Human worship, human & animal sacrifice, proper rituals, magical exercises • When king died, servants, slaves etc. sacrificed • Deities gave favors – children, relief from natural calamities, good harvests • Divination, ritual dance, fertility rites • Shamans/priests • No concern for ethical conduct • • • • Ancestor Worship Human souls departed their bodies at death for a netherworld Reside for six generations then absorbed by nature In netherworld they had power of fertility and healing Intermediaries between gods of nature & families Shang tools & weapons Battle axe Deer antler hoe dagger Bronze Ritual Vessel: Taotie Oracle Bones: Chinese Writing • Bones, turtle shells addressed questions to the gods/spirits • Official writing dates back 4,000 years • Tens of thousands of characters representing words and ideas • Calligraphy is an art form • Helped to unify people despite diverse dialects Oracle Bone Script Oracle Bones Solar eclipse Social Classes (Society) • King & royal family • Warriors • Artisans • Merchants • Peasants Shang Art • Designed for military & religious purpose • advanced technique for casting bronze weapons & stylized vessels Shang Government (Politics) • Large palaces/rich tombs • Military Kings • Powerful-owned small amount of land • Large public works projects • Women could lead • Nobles/princes were heads of clans or family groupscontrolled most land • Similar to Sumerian citystates Economy • peasants preformed all economic functions of society – farmed crops • Many farmers also knew how to cultivate the silkworm• Artisans manufactured weapons, ritual vessels, jewelry etc. • Cowrie shells used as currency Zhou Dynasty 1027 BCE-256 BCE • Came from westoverthrew Shang • “Mandate of Heaven” – Divine right to rule – Used to justify the dynastic cycle – Good government = Heaven was happy – Rulers weak/corrupt = Heaven withdrew support – Catastrophes were opportunities for new leadership Mandate of Heaven • Right to rule is granted by Heaven • There is only one Heaven therefore there can be only one ruler • Right to rule is based on virtue of the ruler • Right to rule is not limited to one dynasty Mandate of Heaven: Principles into Action • Gives ruler prestige & religious importance • Gives ruler supreme power • Allows new ruler to gain power quickly if people believe he has 'Mandate of Heaven' • Ruler's power must be kept in check by “virtue” • Justifies rebellion as long as it’s successful Dynastic Cycle • Expanded idea of Mandate of Heaven to explain the dynastic cycle, or the rise & fall of dynasties. • As long as dynasty provided good government, it enjoyed Mandate of Heaven How are Mandate of Heaven & Dynastic Cycle Related? Start here Emperor is defeated !! Rebels find strong leader and Rebel against Emperior. Poor lose respect for govt. They rebel. A new dynasty comes to power. The emperor improves government. The Dynastic Cycle Droughts, floods, famines occur. Govt. corruption. People’s lives improved; taxes reduced. Problems begin (extensive wars, invasions, etc.) Economic problems, high taxes Zhou: Feudal System • Decentralized administration • Used princes & relatives to rule regions • Weak central government & rise of regional powers • Local lords governed their own lands but owed military service & support to ruler • After about 771 BCE feudal lords held real power Economy • • • • • • Iron tools New crops-soybeans Irrigation techniques Money (copper coins) = easier trade New roads, canals Population increase = prosperity increase Achievements • Calendar-365 ½ days • By 1000 BCE, silk thread: sericulture • Bronze metallurgy