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Dynasties of Ancient China. World History. Geography. Geographically isolated to some extent. Huang He (Yellow River) and Chiang jiang (Yangtze) rivers flood quite often. Xia Dynasty (Approx. 4000 yrs ago). Ruler: Yu Irrigation and drained floodwaters Beginning of Chinese civilization
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Dynasties of Ancient China World History
Geography • Geographically isolated to some extent. • Huang He (Yellow River) and Chiang jiang (Yangtze) rivers flood quite often.
Xia Dynasty (Approx. 4000 yrs ago) • Ruler: Yu • Irrigation and drained floodwaters • Beginning of Chinese civilization • No written records – existence is by legend
Shang Dynasty (1750-1122B.C.) • Ruler: Wu Ding • Developments: impressive cities & mastery with the art of bronze casting • Farming society ruled by a king and an aristocracy • Capital was Anyang • Warlords governed territories • Ancestor worship developed
Zhou Dynasty (1122-256 B.C.)(era of warring states) • Developments: longest lived dynasty (800+ years); claimed the Mandate of Heaven • Emperors called themselves “Sons of Heaven” • Linguistic unity – Mandarin was standardized • Daoism & Confucianism - related to politics • Trade expanded to distant regions • Set up an agricultural system (nobles & peasants) A.K.A. feudalism
Zhou Dynasty (1122-256 B.C.)(era of warring states) • Expanded Chinese territory to Yangtze River Valley (wheat & rice growing areas added) • Increased food production and use of iron • Concept of the family grows in importance • Chopsticks • Use cavalry & crossbow • Took steps to centralize government, but local leaders ignored central government
Confucianism • Moral and ethical code highly developed to treat everyone with consideration • Advocated paternalistic government • Value on family head & ancestor respect • Values • loyalty, righteousness, wisdom, sincerity
Daoism • Spiritual alternative to Confucianism • Goal was to bring people into harmony with nature and life • Very introspective • Emphasized withdrawing from the world & contemplation • Not as influential as Confucianism • Founder-Laozi