The Ancient The Ancient ChineseChinese

People of the Huang He People of the Huang He

River ValleyRiver Valley

Huang Ho ValleyHuang Ho Valley

** 2000 B.C.- about 500 years after ** 2000 B.C.- about 500 years after the Harappans settled in the Indus the Harappans settled in the Indus River ValleyRiver Valley

** Do not have any records of the ** Do not have any records of the beginning of the Civilizationbeginning of the Civilization

1. much is legend (story)1. much is legend (story)

Shang DynastyShang Dynasty

Huang He River SystemHuang He River System

Reasons for SettlementReasons for Settlement1.1. Many people chose the Huang Ho Many people chose the Huang Ho

River Valley b/c it was fertileRiver Valley b/c it was fertile ** Fertile- rich soil/good for farming** Fertile- rich soil/good for farming

2. Isolated- remote location from other 2. Isolated- remote location from other villages/ far away from other peoplevillages/ far away from other people

3. Developed their culture without 3. Developed their culture without borrowing ideas or goods from another borrowing ideas or goods from another civilizationcivilization

DynastiesDynastiesDynasty- ruling family (Shang Dynasty)Dynasty- ruling family (Shang Dynasty)

** Shang came to power in 1766 B.C.** Shang came to power in 1766 B.C.

Shang Dynasty responsible for:Shang Dynasty responsible for: Building Chinese citiesBuilding Chinese cities Ruling GovernmentRuling Government Head of all Ancient Chinese peopleHead of all Ancient Chinese people

(similar to a Pharaoh)(similar to a Pharaoh)

Shang DynastyShang Dynasty

Located in Located in Northeast Northeast ChinaChina

Along the Along the river valley river valley and North and North China SeaChina Sea

Different DynastiesDifferent Dynasties

Shang CitiesShang CitiesCities- most of the cities were developed theCities- most of the cities were developed thesame way (same plan)same way (same plan)

All Chinese Cities had:All Chinese Cities had:1.1. Palace and temple at the centerPalace and temple at the center2.2. Public buildings and government buildings were Public buildings and government buildings were

built close to the templebuilt close to the temple3.3. Workers lived on the outskirtsWorkers lived on the outskirts

** Most of the Shang people DID NOT live in the city** Most of the Shang people DID NOT live in the city 1. They were farmers1. They were farmers 2. Grew wheat, millett2. Grew wheat, millett 3. Raised cattle3. Raised cattle 4. Produced silk4. Produced silk

Major CitiesMajor Cities

SpiritsSpiritsSpirits- supernatural beings Spirits- supernatural beings

What they believed about the SpiritsWhat they believed about the Spirits

Shang Worshiped themShang Worshiped them

Believed they lived in mountains, rivers, Believed they lived in mountains, rivers, seasseas

Had to please themHad to please them

If the spirits were angry, the people If the spirits were angry, the people would sufferwould suffer

AncestorsAncestorsAncestors- past family members Ancestors- past family members

(descendants)(descendants)

Shang believed that their Ancestors:Shang believed that their Ancestors:1.1. Influenced their fortunesInfluenced their fortunes2.2. Help them in their time of needHelp them in their time of need

** Prayed to Ancestors, offered food and** Prayed to Ancestors, offered food andwine to keep them happywine to keep them happy

Kings and NoblesKings and NoblesKings- Government official in the Shang Kings- Government official in the Shang DynastyDynasty * Main duty was to contact the spirits* Main duty was to contact the spirits * Asked advice of ancestors* Asked advice of ancestors

Oracle Bones- communication between the Oracle Bones- communication between the kings and their ancestorskings and their ancestors * Markings on the bones * Markings on the bones

Noble- people of high rank in the kingdomNoble- people of high rank in the kingdom * Spent time hunting, in military* Spent time hunting, in military

Oracle BonesOracle Bones

Ruins of the Shang Ruins of the Shang DynastyDynasty

Decline of the ShangDecline of the Shang

Reasons for the Decline of Shang Reasons for the Decline of Shang DynastyDynasty

1.1. Great gap between the rich and poorGreat gap between the rich and poor

* No loyalty towards one another* No loyalty towards one another

2.2. Zhou invasion of 1122 B.C.Zhou invasion of 1122 B.C.

* Weakened the Dynasty* Weakened the Dynasty