Yellow River Yellow River CivilizationCivilization

Neolithic Neolithic PotteryPottery

3000 BCE 3000 BCE toto

2000 BCE2000 BCE

The 4 Old-World The 4 Old-World River Valley CulturesRiver Valley Cultures

Pan-Gu: Mythical Creator of the Pan-Gu: Mythical Creator of the UniverseUniverse

Yu, the Great Yu, the Great Founder of the XiaFounder of the Xia

““Huangdi”Huangdi” – – EmperorEmperor

The “Yellow The “Yellow Emperor.”Emperor.” Legend has it that Legend has it that he ruled for over he ruled for over 100 years. 100 years. Associated with theAssociated with the invention of invention of wheeled vehicles, wheeled vehicles, ships, armor, ships, armor, pottery, and pottery, and silk-making. silk-making.

Emperor FuxiEmperor Fuxi Mythical XiaMythical Xia ruler. ruler. Taught the Taught the Chinese how Chinese how to read and to read and write, write, according to according to legend. legend.

Bronze Age EmpiresBronze Age Empires

Shang: 1523-1028 Shang: 1523-1028 BCEBCE

Oracle BonesOracle Bones

Oracle Bones Oracle Bones CalendarCalendar

The Evolution of ChineseThe Evolution of ChineseWriting during the ShangWriting during the Shang

PictograpPictographshs

Semantic-Semantic-PhoneticsPhonetics

Western Zhou: 1027-771 BCEWestern Zhou: 1027-771 BCE

Pendant of a Dancer – Pendant of a Dancer – jade 3c BCEjade 3c BCE

Zhou Coins - bronzeZhou Coins - bronze

““T’ien Ming”T’ien Ming”The Mandate of The Mandate of

HeavenHeaven1.1.The leader must lead by ability and The leader must lead by ability and

virtue. virtue.

2.2.The dynasty's leadership must be The dynasty's leadership must be justified by succeeding generations.justified by succeeding generations.

3.3.The mandate could be revoked by The mandate could be revoked by negligence and abuse; the will of the negligence and abuse; the will of the people was importantpeople was important..

TheDynastic

Cycle

A new dynasty

comes to power.

Lives of common people improved;

taxes reduced;farming encouraged.

Problems begin(extensive wars,invasions, etc.)

Taxes increase;men forced towork for army.

Farming neglected.

Govt. increasesspending; corruption.

Droughts,floods,

famines occur.

Poor loserespect for govt.They join rebels

& attack landlords.

Rebel bands findstrong leader who

unites them.Attack the emperor.

Emperor isdefeated !!

The emperorreforms the govt.& makes it more

efficient.

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