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 settles-

raises 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 & Moon- darkness-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

Deer antler hoe dagger

Battle axe

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 groups-controlled most land

• Similar to Sumerian city-states

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 Dynasty1027 BCE-256 BCE

• Came from west- overthrew 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?

TheDynastic

Cycle

A new dynasty

comes to power.

Govt. corruption.

Droughts,floods,

famines occur.

Poor loserespect for govt.

They rebel.

Rebels findstrong leader and

Rebel against Emperior.

Emperor isdefeated !!

The emperorimproves government.

Start here

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