River Dynasties in River Dynasties in ChinaChina

Main IdeaMain Idea

Power and authority. The early rulers introduced ideas about government and society that shaped Chinese civilization.

Why it matters. The culture that took root during ancient times still affects Chinese ways of life today.

Terms and names: loess, oracle bone, Mandate of Heaven, dynastic cycle, feudalism.

loessloess

A fertile deposit of windblown soil.A fertile deposit of windblown soil.

Oracle boneOracle bone

One of the animal bones or tortoise One of the animal bones or tortoise shells used by ancient Chines priests shells used by ancient Chines priests to communicate with the gods.to communicate with the gods.

Mandate of HeavenMandate of Heaven

In Chinese history, the divine In Chinese history, the divine approval thought to be the basis of approval thought to be the basis of royal authority.royal authority.

Dynastic cycleDynastic cycle

The historical pattern of the rise, The historical pattern of the rise, decline, and replacement of decline, and replacement of dynasties.dynasties.

Feudalism Feudalism

A political system in which nobles are A political system in which nobles are granted the use of lands that legally granted the use of lands that legally belong to their king, in exchange for belong to their king, in exchange for their loyalty, military service, and their loyalty, military service, and protection of the people who live on protection of the people who live on the land.the land.

OutlineOutlineEnvironment: •Huang He flooding unpredictable.•Natural barriers: mountains and deserts.Natural barriers: mountains and deserts.•Geographically isolated.Geographically isolated.

Power and authority:•Community and family important.•Sharp social divisions.•Mandate of Heaven.

Science and Technology:•Writing•Silk•Coin money and cast iron.

Assessment Assessment 2. Which event do you think

was a turning point in Chinese history?About 2,000 B.C- First About 2,000 B.C- First Chinese cities built.Chinese cities built.1700 B.C-Shang come to 1700 B.C-Shang come to power. (turning point power. (turning point because of cultural because of cultural innovations.innovations.1027 B.C.-Zhou come to 1027 B.C.-Zhou come to power. 771 B.C.- Zhou power. 771 B.C.- Zhou Dynasty collapses.Dynasty collapses.

3. Between 3. Between which two which two rivers is the rivers is the heartland of heartland of China found?China found?

Huang He and Chang Jiang.

Cont…Cont…

4. What family obligations did a Chenese person have?

To respect and obey elders; women were to obey male relatives. 5. How is the dynastic cycle connected to the Mandate of Heaven?

The Mandate of Heaven explained why events in the dynastic cycle happened.

Cont…Cont…

6. What are the benefits and drawbacks of the belief that the group was more important than the individual?Benefits – Parents respected, strength in numbers. Drawbacks – Individuals less importante, few rights for women.

Cont…Cont…

7. How did the social classes in Shang society differ from those in Egyptian Society?

Both had small upper class and larger lower class; Chinese rulers warrior-kings; Egypt’s considered gods; artisans and peasant classes similar.

Cont…Cont…

8. Do you think that the Zhou Dynasty’s downfall resulted from its method of control? Why or why not?

Yes – Great distance between ruler and ruled, greedy lords, chaotic warfare. No – Zhou ruled 300 years, downfall caused by invaders, not feudalism.

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If you want to learn about Chinese dragons’ legends… carry on!

Ancient Ancient ChinaChina

These mythical creatures had

and whiskers.

a camel head,a snake neck,fish scales,eagle claws,tiger paws,ox ears,deer horns,

Wood Wood DragonsDragons

Legend says …. Wood dragons are brown.

They are not as selfish as the other dragons. They share well.

They guard the forest. They are imaginative and curious, and come up with brilliant new ideas.

Fire DragonsFire Dragons

Legend says …. Fire dragons are red.

They guard the wind, fire, lightning and sky.

These dragons are the most outgoing and short-tempered.

Earth Earth DragonsDragons

Legend says … Earth dragons are green.

They guard the earth, the crops, and the mountains. They know the value of cooperation.

Metal Metal DragonsDragons

Legend says …. Metal dragons are gold.

They guard metals and precious gems. These dragons succeed because they refuse to accept failure. They have little caring for the feeling of others. These dragons are quite selfish.

Water Water DragonsDragons

Legend says …. Water dragons are blue.

They guard rivers, rain, wells, and water. They get along well with people. They know how to accept defeat and how to rebuild.

DiscussionDiscussion

Question: Do magical dragons really exist? Did they ever exist?

Answer:Nope. Dragons are mythical creatures. They exist only in myth and imagination.