Satellite View of ChinaSatellite View of China

China vs. the U. S. in SizeChina vs. the U. S. in Size

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000250Miles

China

United States

Comparing China & Comparing China & the U. S.the U. S.ChinaChina United United

StatesStates

SizeSize 3.7 million 3.7 million

square milessquare miles

3.6 million 3.6 million

square milessquare miles

Main physical Main physical

barrierbarrier

HimalayasHimalayas RockiesRockies

Main RiverMain River Yangtze / Yangtze /

East - WestEast - West

Mississippi / Mississippi /

North – SouthNorth – South

PopulationPopulation East CoastEast Coast East CoastEast Coast

Connectivity Connectivity

problemsproblems

North - SouthNorth - South East - WestEast - West

The Polluted Yellow River!The Polluted Yellow River!

VOCABULARY

Loess

The Yellow River

Huang He 2,920 Miles: Tibet to the Yellow Sea Deposits (loess) fertile, light colored soil

– No need for metal tools for generous harvests

Periodic flooding: “China’s sorrow”

Bronze Age EmpiresBronze Age Empires

Shang Dynasty - 1766-1122 BCE Bronze metallurgy

– State monopoly of copper & tin ores. Horse-drawn chariots, other wheeled vehicles Large armies – 3,000 – 13,000 strong Demand of agricultural tribute Political organization: network of fortified

cities, loyal to center– 1000 cities– Capital moved six times

• Impressive architecture at Ao (33 x 66 wall), Yin

Shang Dynasty Burial Practices Hierarchical social structure Live burials alongside deceased

member of ruling class– Sacrificial victims, mostly slaves– Wives, servants, friends, hunting

companions– Later replaced by statuary, often

monumental

Shang Religion Animism – The belief that spirits inhabit

everything. Ancestor Worship Shang Di – A god who controlled the

forces of nature Oracle Bones

Oracle BonesOracle Bones

Oracle Bones and Early Chinese Writing Used for communicating with spirit

world, determining future– Question written on animal bones, turtle

shells – Then heated over fire, cracks examined for

omens Early archaeological evidence of

Chinese writing Evolution of Chinese script

– Pictograph to ideograph

Oracle Bone from Shang Dynasty

The Evolution of Chinese The Evolution of Chinese Writing DuringWriting During

PictograpPictographshs

Semantic-Semantic-PhoneticsPhonetics

Zhou Literature The reflections of Confucius Book of Changes

– Manual for divination Book of History (Zhou propaganda) Book of Etiquette (Book of Rites) Book of Songs (…of Poetry or …of Odes) Little survived

– Often written on perishable bamboo strips– Many destroyed by Emperor of Qin dynasty in 221

BCE

Axe Scepter – Axe Scepter – 1100 BCE1100 BCE - Jade - Jade

Ceremonial Dagger – Ceremonial Dagger – 1028 BCE1028 BCE

ShangShangUrnUrn

Shang BronzesShang Bronzes

Ritual Wine Ritual Wine Vessel – Bronze, Vessel – Bronze,

13c BCE13c BCE

Western Zhou:Western Zhou:1027-771 BCE1027-771 BCE

Zhou Dynasty, 1122-256 BCE No law codes: rule by decree

– “Mandate of Heaven” Aggregation of villages opposed to

Shang leadership– Decentralization of authority

– Lacked organization efficiency Development of cheap iron weaponry

ends Shang monopoly on Bronze Early money economy

Zhou Coins - BronzeZhou Coins - Bronze

The Dynastic

Cycle

The Dynastic

Cycle

A new dynasty

comes to power. “Son of Heaven”

A new dynasty

comes to power. “Son of Heaven”

Lives of common people improved;

taxes reduced;farming encouraged.

Lives of common people improved;

taxes reduced;farming encouraged.

Problems begin(extensive wars,invasions, etc.)

Problems begin(extensive wars,invasions, etc.)

Taxes increase;men forced towork for army.

Farming neglected.

Taxes increase;men forced towork for army.

Farming neglected.

Govt. increasesspending; corruption.

Govt. increasesspending; corruption.

Droughts,floods,

famines occur.

Droughts,floods,

famines occur.

Poor loserespect for govt.They join rebels

& attack landlords.

Poor loserespect for govt.They join rebels

& attack landlords.

Rebel bands findstrong leader who

unites them.Attack the emperor.

Rebel bands findstrong leader who

unites them.Attack the emperor.

Emperor isdefeated !!Emperor isdefeated !!

The emperorreforms the govt.& makes it more

efficient.

The emperorreforms the govt.& makes it more

efficient.

Start here

Early Ideology

Yin and Yang Yin: female, dark, weak, wet, passive Yang: male, bright, strong, dry, active Balance of opposites

Zhou Contributions

Aristocrats Feudalism

– Kings > Local Lords > Peasants• Feudal Lords Gain Power

Iron Age The First Bound Books Astronomers Study Planets & Eclipses

Decline of the Zhou Dynasty Decentralized leadership style allows for

building of regional powers– Increasing local independence, refusal to

pay Zhou taxes Iron metallurgy allows for widespread

creation of weaponry Northern invaders weaken Zhou

dynasty, beginning 8th c BCE Internal dissention: the Period of the

Warring States (403-221 BCE)

The Yangtze RiverThe Yangtze River

Southern Expansion of Chinese Society

Yangzi Valley– Peaceful flooding– Yangzi river: Chang Jiang, “long river”– Excellent for rice cultivation– Irrigation system developed

The State of Chu– Autonomous, challenged Zhou dynasty– Culture heavily influenced by Chinese