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Ancient China AP World I Mr. Whalen Geography of Ancient China Located in Asia Most isolated civilization (Many physical barriers) Rivers Huang He (Yellow River) Mountains Himalayas Tien Shan Yangzi River Deserts Gobi Desert Bo. Of Water Pacific Ocean Yellow Sea East China Sea Major Regions of Ancient China 1) River Valleys (Huang He and Yangzi) A) Very fertile for crops B) Used rivers for transportation C) Majority of population lives here Problem- Over flooding causes major losses of life/property Yangzi River Major Regions of Ancient China 2) Mountain Region (Manchuria, Mongolia, and Xinjiang) -Rugged Terrain- High Altitudes Tien Shan Altai Mountains Huang He River Nicknamed the “River of Sorrows” Birthplace of Chinese History Loess- Yellow soil that gives the river its color People constantly repair dikes and dams to prevent floodingMost important task. Irrigation systems- not elaborate Mass destruction Yellow River Origins of Loess Yangshao Society ( 5,000-3,000 B.C.E) Located in the Middle of the Yellow River Valley Major archaeological find located in one of its Neolithic villages- Banpo Clues revealed at Banpo -Discovered in 1952 -5 digs took place from 1952-1957 -Found 45 homes, thousands of stone tools, several kilns, and 250 tombs -Matriarchal society!!!! Pottery founded at Banpo What do these engravings on the Pottery represent? Early Dynasties In Ancient China, there were three early dynasties before the unification of China: 1) Xia 2) Shang 3) Zhou (W/E) (2100 B.C.E.-1600 B.C.E) (1600 B.C.E.-1046 B.C.E.) (1046-B.C.E.- 221 B.C.E.) Dynasty- a ruling family At first, scholars were pessimistic of Xia and Shang Dynasties existence because they believed it was based on myth and legend What made these views change? Xia Dynasty (2100-1600 B.C.E.) • Founded by sage king- Yu •Established hereditary rule- Meaning? •Agrarian society/Bronze tools were needed •Relied heavily on public works projectscontrolling floods •Originally viewed as a myth more than a reality •Erlitou- city discovered by archaeologists- believed to be the capital of the Xia Dynasty Erlitou site Shang Dynasty (1650-1027 B.C.) 1650 B.C.- The Shang people control northern China along the Huang He River Role of technology 1) Bronze metallurgy 2) Horse-drawn chariots Result?= Expansion into Yellow River Valley and Northeastern China (Henan) Political Organization •Not centralized •Local rulers recognized Shang kings •Proclamations; not written law •King was responsible for leading troops into battle. •Many nobles and princes controlled little kingdoms Clans- groups of families that have a common ancestor Capitals of the Shang Capital moved around of several occasions 2 Major Capitals 1) Ao- famous for its walled city 2) Yin- famous excavation site Fu Hao- Consort of Emperor Wu Ding Tomb revealed major clues http://depts.washington.edu /chinaciv/archae/2fuhmain. htm Religious Beliefs of the Shang Like many ancient civilizations, they prayed to many different gods and spirits Shang Di- Chief god of the Shang (Creator) Kings of Dynasties were seen as the link between the gods and man Rituals/Ceremonies were vital to Shang Dynasty Honoring (Veneration) Ancestors was extremely important because they believed that by honoring their ancestors, the ancestors would look after those on earth Religious Beliefs of the Shang (Con’t) The Shang believed that their was a delicate balance of the universe= Yin and Yang Yin= Earth, Darkness, and Female Forces Yin and Yang Yang= Heaven, Light and Male Forces Necessary for harmony !!! Example of concepts Systems of writing Ideographs- signs that express thoughts or ideas Oracle Bones- oldest example of writing. Used to ask questions to the gods/ancestors. Came from animals/ Turtle Shells Calligraphy- fine hand writing Problems with Chinese Writings/Language Over time there were over ten thousand characters (symbols) which represented different words. Memorizing these characters can be very difficult Example of Shang Oracle Bone. Priest Would write a questions to the ancestor Or god. Then they would heat the bone until It cracks. They would then study the cracks To help them answer the question Chinese Calligraphy Calligraphy today Zhou Dynasty (1027-256 B.C.) Started in Northwest China (Wei River Valley) Overthrew the Shang Dynasty Reason The Shang lost the Mandate of Heaven. Mandate of Heaven is the divine right to rule the people. This power came from the gods Emperor served as a link between heaven and earth= “Son of Earth” Dynastic Cycle New Dynasty claims The Mandate of Heaven Problems Floods, Famine, Earthquake, Peasant Revolts = Someone needs to Restore order The New Dynasty: •Restores Peace •Develops new projects •Gives land to peasants = Happiness/ Peace Dynasty gets older, And it begins to Neglect its duties Aging Dynasty loses the Mandate of Heaven Aging Dynasty •Corrupt officials •Ignore responsibilities •Heavy Taxes •= Resentment/Anger Policies of the Zhou Dynasty Government Emperor lived in the capital at Hao Feudalism- System where nobles exchange land to people. In return these people provide Military service, Loyalty, and other forms of retribution (Food, Money, etc) Subordinate to the king Reasons for decline of Zhou 1) Subordinates gained power as local ruler and challenged authority 2) Loss of bronze monopoly 3) Iron was more abundant- therefore easier to produce weapons 771 B.C.E. • Nomadic invaders raid the Western Zhou •Imperial court moves East Luoyang Period of the Warring States •Lasted from 403-221 B.C.E. •Frequent warfare between different princes 256 B.C.E.- End of Zhou 221 B.C.E.- Start of the Qin Dynasty Social Classes Royal Family Nobles Owned the land/provided Military service Artisans/Merchants Produced goods for people through Respective skills/trade Peasants Majority= Harsh lives (Grew crops, repaired walls, Built dikes, fought in wars) Chinese Achievements A) B) C) D) Improved the Calendar Bronze making Silk making Wrote 1st books Example of Bronze During the Shang Silk Farm Book of Songs As seen here, one would boil The cocoons of silk worms And use the silk for clothing