River Dynasties in China Ch 2 Sec 4

River Dynasties in China Ch. 2, Sec. 4 (pp. 50 - 55)

Geographic Features • Many natural barriers – Pacific Ocean & Yellow Sea to east – Himalaya Mountains to west – Gobi Desert to north • River Systems – Huang He (Yellow River) • Gets name from loess deposits – Chiang Jiang (Yangtze River)

The Yellow River

Environmental Challenges • Unpredictable devastating floods – Known as “China’s Sorrow” • Isolation meant no trade • Natural borders didn’t always protect from outsiders • Only 10% of China is suitable for farming – Known as “China’s Heartland”

China’s Heartland

Settlements • Shang Dynasty (~1700 B. C. to 1027 B. C. ) were first people to leave written records • Anyang was a capital of Shang Dynasty – Made mostly of wood – Surrounded by giant earth wall

Anyang Ancient City Walls

Social Classes • Society was sharply divided b/t nobles & peasants – King’s ruled (highest class) – Warrior-nobles owned land, paid tribute & helped govern (middle class) – Villagers labored in the fields (lower class)

Role of Family • Family was central to society • Men made familial decisions & owned property – Women were treated as inferior • Respect for one’s parents was crucial

Filial Piety

Religious beliefs • Families paid respect to ancestors • Shang kings consulted gods using scratched animal bones (oracle bones)

An Oracle Bone

Writing System • All Chinese writing was the same, where as Chinese spoke different languages in different regions – Think of it as: English, French & Spanish people can all understand when they read “ 2 + 2 = 4” whereas only English speakers can understand when they hear “two plus two equals four” • There is an enormous amount of characters (more than 10, 000)

Technological advances • Developed bronze tools/weapons • Used war-chariots • Silk textiles

Model of Shang Chariot

Artistry • Bronze jars, pottery & plaques

The Zhou Dynasty • Around 1027 B. C. , the Zhou overthrew the Shang & established their own dynasty • To justify their conquest, Zhou leaders said that the Shang king had been a poor king, so the gods had taken away his right to rule and given it to the Zhou – Known as the Mandate of Heaven (the fact that god gives the ruler power to rule)

The Mandate of Heaven

The Chinese Dynastic Cycle Rise > Decline > Replacement

Feudalism • Nobles (lords) were granted the use of the king’s land • In return, nobles (lords) had to give loyalty & military service to the king

Confucianism on Chinese Culture…Confucius says… • Confucius believed that social order, harmony, & good govt could be restored in China if society were organized around 5 relationships. – 1. ruler & subject – 2. father & son – 3. husband & wife – 4. older brother & younger brother – 5. Friend & friend (3 of these 5 based on family)

Confucianism on Chinese Culture…Confucius says… • Confucius & the examination system Confucius said that education could transform a humbly (poor) person into a gentlemen. Before the Confucian Examination System, state officials were selected based on recommendations by prominent aristocrats or state officials. Theoretically, a person from any economical or social background had a chance to become a state official by passing the exam. The exam was used up until 1905 (fall of Qing dynasty), spanning over a course of 1300 years.

The Warring States Period • Zhou ruled a relatively stable empire from 1027 B. C. to ~500 B. C. • By 771 B. C. , Zhou kings began to lose their power to nomads & regional leaders • China entered a major period of Civil War known as the “Warring States Period” in which Chinese warlords constantly fought for control of territory