Download Chapter 5 Section 2: The Huang Ho Valley

Chapter 5 Section 2: The Huang
Ho Valley
Ancient Civilizations
The Huang Ho Valley
• About 2000 BC, this civilization
started in China.
• Much of what we know, comes
from legends.
• Settled here because of fertile
soil
• Lived in clay houses
Cities of the Shang Dynasty
• A dynasty is a ruling family.
• The first records come from the
Shang dynasty. (1766 BC)
• The rich lived in the cities and
the poor in the country.
• Farmers produced silk, which
was used to make clothes for
the rich.
Shang Religion
• They worshipped spirits and
ancestors.
• They offered food, wine, and
prayers to their ancestors in
hope for good fortune.
• Family was very important and
there were rules on how to act.
Shang Kings
• The Shang believed kings
received power from their
ancestors.
• Kings would ask questions
through oracle bones. (Pg 90)
• Nobles were below kings, spent
most of their time hunting to
prepare for war.
• Nobles rode horse-drawn
bronze chariots.
• They used sharp arrows and
wore helmets.
• Poor farmers marched behind
them as soldiers.
Decline of the Shang
• There was a strong divide
between the rich and the poor.
• This weakened the civilization.
• In 1122 BC, the Zhou invaded
and defeated the Shang.
• The Shang left behind great
works of bronze art.
• Art experts consider their
artwork the best in the world.