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Early Chinese Civilizations

Early Chinese Civilizations. Geography of China. Civilization began between the Yellow River and the Yangtze River Needed for farming. Only 10% of China is farmable. Farmland = valuable Geographically isolated from other civilizations. Mountains and deserts create natural barriers.

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Early Chinese Civilizations

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  1. Early Chinese Civilizations

  2. Geography of China • Civilization began between the Yellow River and the Yangtze River • Needed for farming. • Only 10% of China is farmable. • Farmland = valuable • Geographically isolated from other civilizations. • Mountains and deserts create natural barriers.

  3. Early Chinese Government • Religious and governmental traditions are established during the Shang Dynasty (1750 – 1045 BC) • 2nd Chinese dynasty; followed Xia • Dynasty • A succession of rulers from the same family. • King’s land was divided into territories governed by the aristocracy. • Powerful upper-class landowners. • Aristocrats were military leaders with their own armies (warlords). • Major concern was war. • King could choose and remove the warlords. KING WARLORD WARLORD WARLORD ARMY ARMY ARMY

  4. Early Chinese Religion • Believed that supernatural forces could intervene in worldly affairs. • Practiced ancestor worship. • Stems from belief in life after death. • Spirits of ancestors could bring good or bad fortune to living family members. • Human sacrifices used to win favor of gods. • Accompany king in life after death. • Utilized oracle bones to communicate with gods. • A priest would write questions on a bone; a heated metal rod would be stuck into it; the priest would then read the cracks and interpret the answer.

  5. Chinese Writing • Uses pictographs and ideographs • Symbols which represent an object or idea.

  6. Zhou Dynasty • In 1045 BC the Zhou overthrew the Shang. • Longest-lasting dynasty in Chinese history • 1045 – 256 BC • Believe in the Dynastic Cycle • All dynasties will rise and fall. • Explained their right to rule as a Mandate of Heaven. • King was given the authority to rule from Heaven.

  7. Dynastic Cycle Dynasty is founded by a powerful leader Leader gains Mandate of Heaven Period of power and prosperity Restores peace and glory Improves society Period of decline Society declines, natural disaster Leader loses Mandate of Heaven Period of rebellion – Dynasty overthrown

  8. Roots of Philosophy: The Decline of the Zhou • Zhou had been divided into many small kingdoms. • Civil War breaks out • “Period of the Warring States” • Lasts from 475BC to 221BC • During this time, Chinese philosophers wanted to create stability in society. • Become ideas behind Confucianism & Taoism

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