River Dynasties in ChinaEarly rulers introduce ideas about government and society that shape Chinese civilization.

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What do we already know about Ancient China?

Geography of ChinaBarriers isolate China from other areas◦Ocean, mountains, deserts

River Systems◦Huang He (“Yellow River”) in north Leaves loess—fertile soil—when it floods

◦Yangtze in southChina’s Heartland

◦North China Plain, area between two rivers, center of civilization

Environmental ChallengesHuang He floods can devour whole villages

Geographic isolation means lack of trade; must be self-sufficient

Isolation leads to a traditional Chinese culture

The First DynastiesAround 2000 B.C. cities arise; Yu,

first ruler of Xia DynastyYu’s flood control systems tames

Huang He (“Yellow River”)Shang Dynasty, 1700 to 1027

B.C., first to leave written records

Writing from the Shang Dynasty

Chinese CivilizationSees China as the center of the world

Views others as uncivilized

The group is more important than the individual

Family in Ancient ChinaFamily is central social institutionRespect for parents a virtueElder males control family propertyWomen expected to obey all men,

even sons

Religious BeliefsPolytheisticSpirits of dead ancestors can affect

family fortunesPriests scratch questions on animal

bones and tortoise shellsOracle bones used to consult gods

Zhou and the Dynastic CycleZhou takes control of China in

1027 B.C.Mandate of Heaven

◦Belief that heaven granted emperors the right to rule based on their ability to govern well and fairly

◦Developed as a justification for change in power to Zhou

Dynastic Cycle◦Pattern of the rise and decline of

dynasties

Dynastic Cycle

How did the geography of China lead to a traditional life and culture for the people?

What did the “Mandate of Heaven” have to do with choosing a new government leader in China (make sure you use the term “Dynastic Cycle” somewhere in your answer)

Zhou Controls Through FeudalismFeudalism—system where kings give

land to nobles in exchange for services

Over time, nobles grow in power and begin to fight each other

Zhou Technology and TradeZhou Dynasty builds roads,

canals to improve transportationUses coins to make trade easierProduces cast iron tools and

weapons Food production increases