Early Civilization in China. What Makes China Unique? Geographic Barriers Outsiders attempted invasion (distrust of outsiders) Settlements along rivers.

Early Civilization in ChinaEarly Civilization in China

What Makes China What Makes China Unique?Unique?

• Geographic Barriers

• Outsiders attempted invasion (distrust of outsiders)

• Settlements along rivers (Huang He & Yangtze River)

• Need to control rivers led to the rise of strong governments

Notice how all of the dynasties of China

overlap in the same general area

Shang Dynasty ~ 1650 Shang Dynasty ~ 1650 B.C.EB.C.E

King = head of clan

Shang Di - Chief God◦ King had direct connection◦ Ancestors of families got gifts

from the gods

Most people = peasants◦ Worked the fields all day

Yin and Yang◦ Balance of the universe◦ Yin = Earth; Yang = Heaven

Zhou Dynasty ~ 1027 Zhou Dynasty ~ 1027 B.C.EB.C.E

Overthrow of Shang Dynasty was justified by “Mandate of Heaven”

◦ Cruel king lost favor of the gods

◦ Explained the rise & fall of dynasties

◦ As long as government is good & lives by Confucian ideals, it will keep the Mandate of Heaven.

◦ If the government becomes weak or corrupt, Heaven will withdraw its support & open the path for a new dynasty to rise up.

Natural disasters were seen as a sign that the Mandate of Heaven was lost!

Early Chinese Early Chinese AchievementsAchievements

Writing (Shang)◦ Oracle Bones – kings questioned

the gods, heated the bones until they cracked & looked for answers in the patterns.

Silk Making (Shang)◦ Only royals could afford material◦ Most valuable export

Astronomy (Han)◦ Helped make calendar

Economic Growth ~ 700-500 Economic Growth ~ 700-500 B.C.EB.C.EIronworking

◦More farm production

◦ Irrigation systems◦More food = greater

population

Commerce expanded through use of money◦Trade made easier◦Feudal lords

expanded lands

What was the What was the importance importance of silk to China?of silk to China?Silk (started in 1000 BCE)

◦ Thread spun from cocoons of silkworms◦ Major trade good◦ Guarded secret (remained so until the 1200’s)◦ Started the Silk Road trade route