Ancient China

The 4 Old-World River Valley Cultures

Early China

• The Chinese lived in isolation from the rest of the world

• Middle Kingdom

• Less break between RVC and Classical in China

Geography

• 3 Major rivers –Huang He (Yellow River) –Yangtze –Xi Jiang

Geography

• Developed along the Huang He (Yellow River) – WHY???

• Flooding

Partner Discussion

• Given what we have learned with the previous three RVCs, what might you conclude the Yellow River’s flooding led the Chinese to do?

Irrigation Systems

Four Thousand Years of Civilization • Chinese civilization

• Many Technologies

Dynasties • Dynasties

– Definition

• Dynastic Cycle

– Pattern

Shang Rule: c.1500 – 1100 B.C.E.

• The Shang Dynasty (1500 to 1100 B.C.E. )

• Thirty kings

Shang Religion • The Shang were polytheistic • Ancestor Veneration

• Significance

• Harmonious Connection Between Humans and Nature

The Zhou Dynasty c.1046–256 B.C.E

• Overthrow of the Shang 1046 B.C.E.

• Zhou Dynasty – Claim Mandate of

Heaven – What is this???

Mandate of Heaven

• Definition

• Importance

Zhou Expansion

• The Zhou set up…

• This led to…

Zhou Regional Rulers

• Ruled by regional rulers – Who were they?

• Peasants…

• Feudal…

Noblemen Grew in Power

• This form of government…

• However…

• Why??

Discussion Question

• What do you suspect the increased power of the regional rulers meant for the Zhou Dynasty?

Warring States • Zhou fight a

rebellion in 771 B.C.E – Result

• Competing interests

Science and Technology

• By about 2000 B.C.E • Tools • Well Developed… • Military Technology:

– Horses – Fortifications

Science and Technology • Advanced

astronomy • Lack monumental

building – Why??? – Some tombs

The Beginning of writing in China…

•Pictographs

Sun Moon Water

eventuallydeveloped into…

•Ideographs

•Developed into…

Modern Chinese characters Calligraphy ~ artistic writing

Trade and Interaction

• Overland Trade • Contact with Nomadic peoples

– Northwest

• Effect: – Positive – Negative