Early Civilization in China
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