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Huang He (“Yellow River”) & Yangtze River …. 2.4: River Dynasties in China. Early rulers introduce ideas about government and society that shape Chinese civilization. A. The Geography of China. 1. Barriers Isolate China • Ocean , mountains , deserts isolate China from other areas.
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Huang He (“Yellow River”) & Yangtze River …
2.4: River Dynasties in China Early rulers introduce ideas about government and society that shape Chinese civilization.
A. The Geography of China 1. Barriers Isolate China • Ocean, mountains, desertsisolate Chinafrom other areas 2. River Systems • Huang He (“Yellow River”) in north, Yangtzein south • Huang Heleaves loess— fertile silt —when it floods 3. Environmental Challenges • Huang Hefloods can devour whole villages • Geographic isolation means lack of trade; must be self-sufficient 4. China’s Heartland • North China Plain, area between two rivers, center of civilization
B. Civilization Emerges in Shang Times 1. The First Dynasties • Around 2000 B.C.citiesarise; Yu, 1st ruler of Xia Dynasty • Yu’sflood control systems tames Huang He (“Yellow River”)
B. Civilization Emerges in Shang Times • The First Dynasties • • Shang Dynasty, 1700 to 1027 B.C., 1st to leave written records
B. Civilization Emerges in Shang Times 2. Early Cities • Built cities of wood, such as Anyang— one of its capital cities • Upper class lives inside city; poorer people live outside • Shangcitieshave massive walls for military defense
C. The Development of Chinese Culture 1. Chinese Civilization • Sees China as center of world; views others as uncivilized • The groupis more important than the individual - Collectivism 2. Family • Family is central social institution; respect for parents a virtue • Elder males control family property • Womenexpected to obey all men, even sons 3. Social Classes • Kingand warrior-nobleslead society and own the land
continued The Development of Chinese Culture 4. Religious Beliefs • Spirits of dead ancestors can affect family fortunes • Priestsscratch questions on animal bones and tortoise shells • Oracle bones - used to consult gods; supreme god, Shang Di
continued The Development of Chinese Culture 5. Development of Writing • Writing system uses symbols to represent syllables; not ideas! • People of different languages can use same system! • Huge number of characters make system difficult to learn
D. Zhou and the Dynastic Cycle 1. The Zhou Take Control • In 1027 B.C., Zhou Dynasty takes control of China
2. Mandate of Heaven • Mandate of Heaven —the belief that a just ruler had divineapproval • Developed as justification for change in power to Zhou • Dynastic cycle —pattern of the rise and decline of dynasties
3. Control Through Feudalism • Feudalism—system where kingsgive land to noblesin exchange for services • Over time, noblesgrow in power and begin to fight each other
continued Zhou and the Dynastic Cycle 4. Improvements in Technology and Trade • Zhou Dynastybuilds roads, canals to improve transportation • Uses coins to make trade easier • Produces cast iron tools and weapons; food production increases 5. A Period of Warring States • Peaceful, stableZhou empire rules from around 1027 - 256 B.C. • In 771 B.C., nomadsattack the Zhou capital, murdermonarch • Luoyangbecomes new capital; but internal wars destroy traditions
Fun facts on the Zhou Dynasty: • Time Period: 1046 BC – 211 BC (800 years!) • Kings were called the “Sons of Heaven” • Longest lasting dynasty in Chinese History (about 800 years!) • Emperor Wu was the 1st official Zhou emperor • 1st sections of theGreat Wall were built • Divided into 2 parts: Western Zhou & Eastern Zhou • Confuciuswas born during this dynasty • Chopsticks were thought to be invented in the Zhou Dynasty • Also known as the Chou Dynasty