Ancient ChinaEmpires & Philosophies

Shang Dynasty• From (1750 – 1045 B.C.)

mostly farming society • Aristocracy—wealth based on

land and power that is passed down

• Archaeologists found evidence of cities, palaces, tombs, city walls

Political and Social Structures

King controlled land and large armies

Buried with corpses of servants in tombs

Communicate with gods by oracle bones (Turn to Pg. 90)

Religion and CultureBelief in afterlife human

sacrifices Veneration of ancestors

“ancestor worship”, spirits of ancestors could bring good or evil fortune to family

Shang are most remembered for bronze casting

Zhou Dynasty

• From (1045 – 256 B.C.) longest dynasty

• Defeated Shang after their ruler ruined morale of nation

Political Structures

Continued aristocracyKing was the link between

heaven and earth

Mandate of Heaven

Mandate = authorityKing ruled over humanity,

keeping order through goodnessDao = “proper way” keeping

gods pleased

Decline

--403 B.C. Civil war broke out b/w Zhou and Qin

--Iron weapons were stronger than bronze

Decline

--Introduction of infantry (foot soldiers), cavalry (horseback), and invention of crossbow changed warfare in China.

--Qin dynasty took over in 221 B.C.

Life, Family, Technologya. Trading was a means of money

salt, iron, silk, and clothb. By 6th century, irrigation, iron plowsc. Filial Piety—duty of family members

--work together--Male dominated society--Women worked at home; participate in

politics

Confucius

Lived from 551 to 479 B.C. He wanted to improve society and achieve good government

Confucius 5 Relationships to obey between:1.Ruler and Subject2.Father and Son3.Husband and Wife4.Siblings (brother)5.Friend and Friend

Confucius • Be sincere, polite, and unselfish• Obey and respect laws and

traditions• Work hard and respect learning

Opium Wars (1839 – 1842)Opium—From the plant Papaver

somniferum;contains morphine and alkaloid(cocaine)

Chinese would not trade with western nations, British smuggled from India

Opium Wars (1839 – 1842)Chinese gov’t tried to stop the

trade of opium but no one obeyed (addicted)

1839, Chinese destroyed millions of dollars worth of opium.

British won; Treaty of Nanking gave Hong Kong to England.