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What do we already know about Ancient China?
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River Dynasties in ChinaEarly rulers introduce ideas about government and society that shape Chinese civilization.
http://www.magicmgmt.com/gary/magic8ball/index1.html
What do we already know about Ancient China?
Geography of ChinaBarriers isolate China from other areas◦Ocean, mountains, deserts
River Systems◦Huang He (“Yellow River”) in north Leaves loess—fertile soil—when it floods
◦Yangtze in southChina’s Heartland
◦North China Plain, area between two rivers, center of civilization
Environmental ChallengesHuang He floods can devour whole villages
Geographic isolation means lack of trade; must be self-sufficient
Isolation leads to a traditional Chinese culture
The First DynastiesAround 2000 B.C. cities arise; Yu,
first ruler of Xia DynastyYu’s flood control systems tames
Huang He (“Yellow River”)Shang Dynasty, 1700 to 1027
B.C., first to leave written records
Writing from the Shang Dynasty
Chinese CivilizationSees China as the center of the world
Views others as uncivilized
The group is more important than the individual
Family in Ancient ChinaFamily is central social institutionRespect for parents a virtueElder males control family propertyWomen expected to obey all men,
even sons
Religious BeliefsPolytheisticSpirits of dead ancestors can affect
family fortunesPriests scratch questions on animal
bones and tortoise shellsOracle bones used to consult gods
Zhou and the Dynastic CycleZhou takes control of China in
1027 B.C.Mandate of Heaven
◦Belief that heaven granted emperors the right to rule based on their ability to govern well and fairly
◦Developed as a justification for change in power to Zhou
Dynastic Cycle◦Pattern of the rise and decline of
dynasties
Dynastic Cycle
How did the geography of China lead to a traditional life and culture for the people?
What did the “Mandate of Heaven” have to do with choosing a new government leader in China (make sure you use the term “Dynastic Cycle” somewhere in your answer)
Zhou Controls Through FeudalismFeudalism—system where kings give
land to nobles in exchange for services
Over time, nobles grow in power and begin to fight each other
Zhou Technology and TradeZhou Dynasty builds roads,
canals to improve transportationUses coins to make trade easierProduces cast iron tools and
weapons Food production increases