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The First Dynasties of China Lesson 2, pages: 150-157 The Shang Dynasty • One family ruled for 600 years: 1700BC-1100BC. • Lands were located along the Heung He River. • New towns created by giving land to relatives. • First capital: Shang (destroyed) • Second capital: Anyang (excavated) Shang Towns • Important production centers • Farmers and workers provided food, clothes, and goods to the Rulers. • Soldiers were called up when needed by the Empire. • Prisoners of war became slaves Shang Culture • Rulers were buried in elaborate tombs: Lady Hao Chinese Writing • Writing system developed from pictures dating before the Shang Dynasty. • Characters became more simplified over time. • Symbols replaced pictures. • Documents were written on bamboo and silk. Oracle Bones • Priests heated bones until they cracked. • Patterns in the cracks were “read” and thought to tell the future. • Shang rulers used them to guide important decisions. • Remnants valuable for the writing samples. Religious Beliefs • Ancestors were important and helped people – especially the king. • Ancestors lived in another world but could control life on earth. • Polytheism – worshiped many gods/goddesses. • When you died you became an ancestor. • People had altars in their homes to make offerings to their ancestors. Shang Gods & Goddesses • Controlled nature • First order: nature spirits like river, wind, earth, and thunder gods/goddesses. • Second order: gods/goddesses linked to specific natural features like a certain river or mountain. Bronze Age • http://www.artsmia.org/art-ofasia/history/dynasty-shang.cfm Shang Defeat! • West of the Shang Empire was the Zhou Empire. • Alternated peace/war • 1100BC – Wuwang (King of Zhou) defeated the Shang army. • New Dynasty: Zhou Dynasty 1100BC to 771BC. Zhou Dynasty • China’s classic age because of the growth and creativity of this time. • The Five Classics written during this time: – – – – – Book of Poetry Book of History Spring and Summer Annals Book of Changes Book of Rituals Mandate of Heaven • Zhou principle that explained why they had the right to start a new dynasty. • Governments may only rule as long as they do so fairly, benefit the people, and perform proper religious duties. • Shang ruler had been an evil man, so they were justified. Duke of Zhou • Wuwang died. • Son of Wuwang only an infant. • Uncle of son (Duke of Zhou) rules in place of the baby. • Considered a hero and great leader because he could have killed the baby and took control himself, but didn’t. • Defended Zhou against a rebellion and attacks from other kingdoms. Expansion • Trade expanded • Roads built • Canals built to connect cities and rivers. • Swamps drained • Metals coins used instead of seashells (Shang Dynasty) Rule • Relatives & friends ruled fortified cities across the empire. • For their 200 year rule, Zhou leaders kept peace. • 771 BC – the Zhou king was killed by invaders. 2 kings claimed the throne. • During the fighting over the throne local rulers began fighting with each other. Warring States Period • After the end of the Zhou dynasty, the local ruler continued to fight with each other for hundreds of years. • 475BC - 221BC Iron • Blast furnaces were used to make iron stronger and more durable. • Used to make weapons like daggers and swords. – Constant border wars • Made spades, knives and sickles for agricultural use. Horses and Chariots • Learned horseback riding from their neighbors on the steppes. • Trained their soldiers to fight on horseback and in chariots. • Harnesses for chariots were not improved on for many centuries later. Warring States Period • 475BC – 221BC • Turbulent time of fighting between local rulers • Great cultural advances – Each ruler wanted to lure the best and smartest to his kingdom. • “Hundred Schools” Philosophy • Confucius & Lao Zi Confucius • • • • Kong Fu Zi was a great scholar. Born in the state of Lu in 551 BC He was a government consultant Students wrote down his teachings – The Analects • Believed society could be fair and good. – People should act with honor and humility. • Education was the key to happiness! – Helping others • Benevolence, or ren, preceeds good governments. – Goodness would trickle down. Daoism • Lao Zi was born in 604BC • Dao means, “the way” • Nature should guide people in their lives. • Material goods and big jobs were not important. • Live in harmony with nature. • Ying & Yang symbol