Transcript 15.2.ShangtoZhou

FrontPage: NNIGN
Inanimate Objects With Secret Inner Lives
Homework: None
China’s Earliest
Civilizations
The Shang and Zhou Dynasties
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
ylWORyToTo4
The Shang (1700 – 1027BC)

Is the first known group in the region to meet the
characteristics of a civilization..
Agriculture?
Cities?
Government?
Social Classes?
Religion?
Written Language?
Trade?
Specialized Skills?
The Shang Dynasty
Oracle Bones
Lost City of Shang
Why did the Shang Dynasty fall?

Invaded by the Zhou in 1027
– Traditional Chinese history says that
the Zhou were able to take over the
Shang because the Shang had
degenerated morally
• Also, war, floods and famine were signs
that the rulers needed to be replaced.
– Part of this belief may have been
caused by the Zhou themselves, who
are credited with the idea of the
Mandate of Heaven.
• The Zhou used this idea to validate their
takeover and subsequent ruling of the
former Shang kingdom.
Mandate of Heaven

Belief that the gods give a ruler his power
– People owe their loyalty, and in return the ruler must
maintain order and stability

When the rulers are corrupt or not maintaining
order, the gods will indicate that they need to be
replaced
– Natural disasters, invasions, peasant rebellions may
occur
**All indicate it is time for a change in the leadership

Many constant changes in dynasties occur in
Chinese history because of this
– This constant change of rulers/dynasties as each
loses the Mandate of Heaven is called…

Explains rise/fall of ruling dynasties in Chinese history…
Zhou Dynasty
Zhou Dynasty (1027-476 BC)

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Divided into different time periods, the last of which
is the most important
– Western, Spring/Autumn, and Warring States
Western period (1027 – 770)
– Capital located in the west – time after the defeat of the Shang

Spring and Autumn period (770 – 476)
– Forced to move east after king killed during attacks by
northern barbarians
– During this time, the Zhou emperor steadily lost power due
to the realization by the feudal lords that he was not
powerful and could be beaten, which had been proven by
the defeat in the west.
Warring States period (475– 220 BC)

So named because of the power
struggle between the large states
of China that were trying to gain
control over the entire area.
– This was a chaotic time, leads
people to look for order and
stability in their lives
– Encourages belief systems that
promote these ideas
 This time period is also considered the “classical age”,
as it was a time of great philosophers.
 3 schools of thought developed during this time.
• Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism
Review
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Which group invaded and conquered the Shang in 1027?
The belief that heaven gives a ruler the right to rule is
known as…
What two different indicators showed that ruler had lost
the “Mandate of Heaven”?
The constant change of ruling families in Chinese
history is known as the…
During which period in Zhou history did a power
struggle occur between large states of China?
What 3 philosophies emerged during this period?