Ch 2 4 River Dynasties in China Objective

Ch. 2. 4 River Dynasties in China Objective: Describe the effects of geography on cultural development in China

China’s Civilization • Compared to others, China was a late starter! • Its cities arose 1, 000 years later than that of other River Civilizations.

Geography made Natural Barriers – East • Pacific Ocean – West • The Taklimakan Desert – North • The Gobi Desert – South • The Himalayas

Two Major Rivers • In the north: the “Huang - he” or “Yellow River. ” • China’s Sorrow -The Huang - he River can be generous or ruinous. • Flooding of river leaves rich deposits of loess.

Two Major Rivers • The Yangtze River – Located in central China. • 90% of useable land for farming lies between the two rivers.

China was Isolated from Outsiders • The Chinese believed they were at the center of the civilized world. – Called themselves the “Middle Kingdom. ” • Outsiders were considered to be barbarians.

Civilization Emerges • Humans have inhabited China for about one million years. • Fossil remains: • “Peking Man” skeleton lived 500, 000 years ago.

The First Dynasties • Legend states that the Xia Dynasty began around 2000 B. C. • No written records remain.

The Shang Dynasty • Dynasty lasted about 500 years. • Large palaces and tombs they built revealed much about their society.

The Shang Dynasty • Shang rulers constantly waged war. • They surrounded their cities with massive earthen walls for protection. • Leaders controlled thousands of workers in construction.

Strict Social Classes • Noble warrior families owned the land, sent tribute to the Shang king in exchange for local control. • Peasants worked the land for lords.

Origins of Chinese Culture • People’s lives were governed by duties to two authorities : – Their family and their emperor. • The group was always more important than the individual.

Family and Society • The family was at the center of Chinese life. • Most important was the respect for one’s parents: “Filial Piety” – Elder men made decisions, controlled property. – Women were treated as inferiors.

Religious Beliefs • Belief that spirits of ancestors could bring good or disaster to the living. • All families paid respects to their ancestors.

Oracle Bones • Shang kings consulted the gods using Oracle Bones. – Priests would inscribe questions and then interpret heated bones.

Development of Writing • Earliest writing found on oracle bones. • Chinese characters stand for ideas not sounds. – Few links between written and spoken Chinese ! – Example : 2 + 2 = 4

Advantages and Disadvantages • Helped unify a large and diverse land. • All could learn to read the same system of writing. – 1, 000 characters to be barely literate ! – Severely limited number of educated Chinese.

Shang Technology • Shang craftspeople excelled in bronze working and silk weaving. – Religious objects and weapons - used as symbols of royal power.

The Zhou Dynasty • A new dynasty which overthrew the Shang around 1027 B. C. • Adopted much of Shang culture. • They brought new ideas to China.

The Mandate of Heaven • The Zhou used the Mandate of Heaven to justify overthrow of the Shang. • Idea: the power to rule came from heaven. • Due to poor rule, the gods took the power to rule away from the Shang.

The Mandate of Heaven • The Mandate became central to the Chinese view of government. – A just ruler had divine approval. – A foolish ruler could lose the Mandate and the right to rule. – Floods, riots, war seen as signs that the Mandate was being revoked.

The Dynastic Cycle • China’s history is marked by a succession of different dynasties for hundreds of years. • The pattern of rise, decline and fall of dynasties referred to as the Dynastic Cycle.

The Zhou Ruled using Feudalism • Kings gave control of regions to royal family and trusted nobles. – Nobles owed loyalty and service to the king • Local lords grew stronger and less dependent on the king – Local lords fought each other for territory and wealth.

Warring States Period • The Zhou ruled for about 700 years. Over time, their strength weakened. • The Zhou king was murdered by invaders. • China was racked by warring lords who claimed to be kings.

The Warring States Period • Warfare changed from honorable codes of conduct. • Professional warriors and mercenaries set the rules for war. • New iron weapons, crossbow, were introduced.

Chinese Society Collapsed • Traditional Chinese values were in decline. • Chaos and warfare replaced order, harmony and respect for authority. • How could China be saved?