Download Shang, Zhou, Qin China

Section 20.1
Early China
Chinese Civilization Begins
• People farmed as early as 7000 BC
• Centered on two rivers – Yangzi & Yellow
• Grew rice, millet, and wheat in the fertile
land around the Chang Jiang (Yangzi)
River and Huang He (Yellow) River
Shang Dynasty
• First dynasty we know of
• Ruled from 1500’s – 1100’s BC
• Developed China’s first writing system with
over 2000 symbols
(China’s writing
system today is
based on symbols
used during the
Shang period)
Shang Dynasty
• Evidence of Shang writing was found in
cattle bones and turtle shells – oracle
bones
(Priests would carve questions into these bones or
shells which were then heated causing them to
crack. Priests believed they could read these
cracks and predict the future)
Shang Dynasty Achievements
• 1st writing system
• Oracle bones
• Tools/weapons from
bronze & jade
• Calendar based on
the moon (lunar)
Transfer of Power
The transfer of power from one dynasty to
another is called China’s dynastic cycle
Zhou Dynasty
(Zhou Dynasty overthrew Shang Dynasty in
1100’sBC – Lasted until around 771BC)
Mandate of heaven- the idea that heaven
chose China’s ruler and gave him or her
power
Zhou Dynasty
• Under Zhou emperor became top of society
• Emperors gave land to people for loyalty or
military service
• Land receivers became lords
• Peasants and slaves worked the land
Warring States Period
When invaders attacked capital many
lords would not fight…
Result:
• Emperor was overthrown
• China broke into many kingdoms that
fought
• This period of disorder is called the
Warring States Period (771-221 BC)
Qin Dynasty
• One state was strong enough to defeat all
of its rivals
• The Qin Dynasty emerged victorious from
the Warring States Period
Qin Dynasty – 221-206 BC
• Shi Huangdi – 1st leader of Qin Dynasty
(This name means “first emperor”)
• He expanded and unified China
• He did not share power
• Burned books – censorship
• Obsessed with afterlife
Shi Huangdi
• He took power from
lords, (they did not
enjoy as many rights
under him)
• He moved noble
families to capital –
Xi’an – why?
Fall of Qin Dynasty
• The Qin Dynasty fell apart when Shi
Huangdi died
• Following rulers couldn’t keep China
unified
Qin Achievements
Shi Huangdi created…
• a uniform system of laws
• a uniform system of money
• a uniform system of writing
• many roads and canals
• many walls for protection
(Great Wall)
• army of terra cotta warriors
Great Wall
Great Wall- a barrier that linked earlier walls
that stood near China’s northern border
The Great Wall
• Why would a government put so much
effort and money into building a wall over
13,000 miles long, 16-26 feet high, and
15-30 feet wide?
The Terracotta Army
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Created by Shi Huangdi, buried with him
Over 8,000 soldiers, horses, chariots, etc.
Life-size, made of terracotta
Soldiers originally had weapons
Burial site size of football field
Found in 1974 by farmers
Xi’an, China (Qin capital)
Major tourist attraction
World Heritage Site
The Terracotta Army