Early Chinese CivilizationsDynasties

Dynasties in China

1)1) The Xia - over four thousand The Xia - over four thousand years ago?years ago?

2)2) The Shang (1750 to 1122 B.C.) The Shang (1750 to 1122 B.C.) (628y)(628y)

3)3) The Zhou (1122 to 256 B.C.) The Zhou (1122 to 256 B.C.) (866y)(866y)

4)4) The Qin (221 to 206 B.C.) (15y)The Qin (221 to 206 B.C.) (15y)

5)5) The Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to 220 The Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to 220 A.D.)A.D.)

First Chinese Dynasty• Dynasty

– A succession of rulers from the same family.

• First Chinese Dynasty– Xia (SHYAH) Dynasty

•Little is known about them.

• The end.

The Shang Dynasty• Ruled from 1750 to 1122BC.• Farming society ruled by

aristocracy– Upper class landowners with power

that is passed down to each generation.

• Capital was Anyang.

Shang Dynasty• 1st civilization in China to write things

down. • They used pictographs, or pictures, to

represent objects. • They also used ideographs to represent

ideas such as beauty, joy, and justice. • They are also responsible for developing

an accurate calendar.• Finally, they are also responsible for

improving the art of bronze-making. – Out of bronze, they created weapons,

vessels for religious purposes, and everyday objects such as cooking pots.

Tombs at Anyang

Artifacts from Anyang

The Shang Dynasty• Kingdom was divided into territories

governed by warlords (aristocracy).– King oversaw these territories, and

could choose and remove the warlords.

• Social Structure– King– Aristocracy (warlords)– Peasants who farmed warlords’ land– Merchants/Artisans– Slaves

Shang Dynasty - Religion• Human sacrifice

– Performed to win the favor of the gods.

• Believed in life after death– Worshiped their

ancestors• “Ancestor worship”• Burned replicas of

physical objects for their ancestors to use in the next world.

Zhou Dynasty• Zhou led a revolt against the Shang

and began another dynasty.– Longest-lasting dynasty in Chinese history (900

years).– Continued the same political system the Shang

used!• (King ruling warlords in control of territories)

• The plow increased size of harvest, created food surpluses; cities also grew and thus, population grew under Zhou

• Roads, canals allowed better transportation, communication

• Introduced coins, use of chopsticks, and silk

The Zhou DynastyFamily Life

• Loyalty to the family was vital to the Chinese people.

• Filial Piety• All members of the family

had to subordinate their needs and desires to those of the male head of the family.

““The Five Relationships”The Five Relationships”1. Son was subordinate to the

father2. Wife was to husband3. Younger brother to older

brother4. All were to the king5. Friend to friend

Zhou Dynasty• One difference from the Shang

Dynasty…

– Claimed they had the Mandate of Heaven• Heaven kept order through the king.• The king was a link between Heaven and

Earth.

• This Mandate of Heaven played an important role in the Dynastic Cycle.– Natural cycle of a dynasty.

The Zhou DynastyThe Zhou DynastyThe Mandate of Heaven

• Mandate means = order, permission, authorizationThe The Mandate of Heaven is based on four principles: is based on four principles:

1) The right to rule is granted by Heaven. 2) There is only one Heaven therefore there can be only one ruler. 3) The right to rule is based on the virtue of the ruler. 4) The right to rule is not limited to one dynasty.

Positive and Negative sides Mandate of Heaven for a Dynasty

1) It gives the ruler prestige and religious importance. 2) It gives the ruler supreme power. 3) It allows a new ruler to gain power quickly because everyone

believes he has the “Mandate of Heaven”. 4) The ruler’s power must be kept in check by virtue. 5) It justifies rebellion as long as the rebellion is successful.

Dynastic Cycle

Dynasty is founded by a powerful leader

Period of power and prosperity

Period of decline

Period of rebellion – Dynasty overthrown

Leader gains Mandate of Heaven

Leader loses Mandate of Heaven

Society declines, natural disaster

Restores peace and glory

Improves society

The Qin DynastyThe End of the Dynastic

Cycle for the Zhou Dynasty

• Civil War will break out (403 B.C.)

• Becomes known as the “Period of Warring States”

• What happens? • And the winner of the

warring states is…• Qin Shi Huangdi- The first

Emperor of China • The Qin Dynasty will

emerge to take controlHuang di = King of the godsThe August most revered god.

The Qin DynastyAchievementsAchievements

• Ordered the construction of the Great Wall of Great Wall of ChinaChina

• Divided the country into Divided the country into military districts, each military districts, each ruled by an appointed ruled by an appointed officialofficial

• Standardized coins, weights and measurements

• Repaired roads and canals

• Legalism is the practiced philosophy (instead of Confucianism)

Qin Shi Huangdi’s TombQin Shi Huangdi’s Tomb

Han Dynasty• Liu Bang leads peasant revolt

• Confucianism is restored, removing Legalism.

• Buddhism is brought from India to China

• Paper is invented by Tsai Lun