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Shang & Zhou China. What kept China isolated?. Natural Barriers Pacific Ocean Gobi Desert Himalaya Mountains. Ancient China. Gobi Desert. Himalayas. Pacific Ocean. Dynasty. A family or group that maintains power for several generations. A new dynasty comes to power.
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What kept China isolated? • Natural Barriers • Pacific Ocean • Gobi Desert • Himalaya Mountains
Ancient China Gobi Desert Himalayas Pacific Ocean
Dynasty A family or group that maintains power for several generations
A new dynasty comes to power. The emperorreforms the govt.& makes it moreefficient. Start here Emperor isdefeated !! Lives of common people improved;taxes reduced;farming encouraged. TheDynasticCycle Rebel bands findstrong leader whounites them.Attack the emperor. Problems begin(extensive wars,invasions, etc.) Poor loserespect for govt.They join rebels& attack landlords. Taxes increase;men forced towork for army.Farming neglected. Droughts,floods,famines occur. Govt. increasesspending; corruption.
Mandate of Heaven Chinese kings claimed they had direct authority from heaven to rule. I am King
Dynastic Cycle: So what do I need to know about it? • A dynasty would remain in power only as long as it was providing good government. • When a dynasty began to abuse its power, it was said to lose the Mandate of Heaven, or the favor of the gods. • A strong leader would emerge to claim the Mandate, and establish a new dynasty…. And it would repeat again.
2 Dynasties Controlled China • Shang and Zhou • Were the two rulers who controlled China during the Ancient River Valley Civilization Era.
Civilization Emerges in Shang Times • Early Cities • Social Classes
Shang China: Social Structure • King and his family • Aristocratic Families (waged war and chief landowners) • Merchants and Artisans • Peasants • Slaves
Origins of Chinese Culture • Family and Society • Religious Beliefs • Development of Writing • Shang Technology and Artistry
Writing in China • Complex writing by 1500 BCE • 40,000 characters – limited literacy • Today there are 80,000 • Only use around 2-3 thousand.