Transcript The Shang
The Shang
Invaded the Xia c. 1750-1500 B.C.
• Irrigation and simple flood control
• Organized government
• China’s (official) first dynasty
• Urged Xia people to abandon their kings and
join the Shang:
•
•
“I would have stand by my side… to bring upon him [the Xia leader]
Heaven’s punishment. I will greatly reward you. Do not ye disbelieve
me. I do not eat my words. If you do not follow the words of this vow, I
will slay you and all your offspring and none will be forgiven.”
Review
1.On what river did Chinese civilization emerge?
2.Who was the “first” dynasty in China?
3.The process of dynasties rising and declining in
power is known as....?
4.What is the “Mandate of Heaven”?
5.Who was the famous ruler of the “first” dynasty?
Government
Extended over 40,000
sq. miles
Capital moved several
times
Strong military
Chariots and bronze
weapons
Economy based on agriculture
SILK WORMS
WORK
&
WAR
RICE AND
MILLET
FOOD
Astronomy
Developed TWO calendars
Solar & Lunar
Each lunar month starts with a new moon – lasts 29 days
12 month, 365 days – additional days when needed
Priest-astronomers became extremely important
Religion
Combined ancestor worship with animism
Belief that spirits inhabit everything
Shangdi – god who controlled the forces of nature
and human destiny
D
R
A
G
O
N
S
ORACLE BONES
Review Discussion
1. What dynasty took over after the Xia?
2. Why was their military so strong?
3. What is their economy based on?
4. How did they develop their calendar(s)?
5. What is animism?
Writing
Developed a written language
Managed to develop one that worked for all dialects
Scribes were highly important
Fall of the Shang
1200s-1100s – suffered from incursions by
western herders
Continuous war
Weakened the state
c. 1050 BC
Overthrown by the Zhou
Justified with “Mandate of Heaven”
Shang were “corrupt and unfit to rule”
Zhou Dynasty
Timeline!!
Create a timeline including all items. Be sure to include a start and end
date for each event/person. For the Emperors, be sure to include a
major achievement/contribution from their reign.
1. Zhou Dynasty
5. Autumn Period
2. Western Zhou
6. Confucius/Kongzi
3. Eastern Zhou
7. Warring States Period
4. Spring Period
8. Capitals Founded:
Haojing & Luoyang
9. Emperors:
– King Wu, King Yu, King Ping, King Nan
***Be sure to include a date for the start and a date for the end
of the Zhou Dynasty – Include at least 3 images/symbols***