China 2000 – 221 B.C.E
The same or different to “River
Civilizations?”
River Civilizations
• Think back to last week. With your
partner, discuss the following questions:
– What was the main purpose of writing?
– To what extent was literacy widespread?
– What characteristics defined belief systems?
– What was the main purpose of social
structures?
Geography
Shang Dynasty: 1750 – 1027 B.C.E
Warrior Aristocracy
Nomads:attacked
periodically
to gain booty,
pride & POW
Royal family
governed
surrounding agric.
areas
King & Court rule core area
of state directly.
Aristocrats = Generals,
Ambassadors,
supervise public projects
Nomads:
despite Shang
propaganda
not “inferior”
Native rulers
swear
allegiance to
Shang
Compare & Contrast
• Is the Shang social structure so different to
the River Valley Civilizations?
Shang belief systems
•
•
•
•
•
King as intermediary
Ancestor worship (male)
Sacrifices
Divination
Oracle Bones
Shang Administration
• Decentralized
• Pictograms – formal writing, does not
change over time
• Bronze and metallurgy
• Trade with Mesopotamia
• Chariots
• Natural resources and inventions
Compare and Contrast
• In regard to state administration, do the
Shang have more in common with the
Egyptians or the Mesopotamians? Explain
Zhou: 11th – 9th Century BCE
Validation Myth
•
•
•
•
Mandate from Heaven
Continue Shang traditions in Admin/Trade
Religion changes focus
Rise of philosophy and mysticism
Compare and Contrast
• Compare and contrast the link between
religion and government in Zhou China
and Egypt.
• The Zhou are characterized as separating
Church and State. How is this statement
true?
Zhou – After 800 BCE
Eastern Zhou
“Spring and Autumn Period”
– 771 to 481 BCE
Eastern Zhou
“Warring States Period”
- 480 – 221 BCE
Legalism
• Increased competition lead to bureaucracy
expanding - centralizing
• State demanded obedience to fulfill needs
of a more centralized government
– Human nature is essentially wicked
– People only behave if forced by law and
punishment
– Sacrifice your personal freedom for the state
Confucianism
• Kongzi – 551-479 BCE
• “Ren” Government exists to serve people
Father
Ruler
Sons
Wife
Public
Officials
Common
People
Daughters
Daoism
• Laozi - Warring state period
– Accepts the world as they see it
– Avoiding violence
– Passivity; minimal action necessary for task
– World always changing & lacks absolute
meaning
• Follow the Dao to right conduct
Societal Roles Change
•
•
•
•
•
Impact of Legalism and Confucianism
Clan becomes 3 Tier family
Hierarchy codified
Role of Women
Yin and Yang
– Balance, later translated to mean superiority
Question
• Of the following statements which do you
agree with more? Explain.
– Ancient Chinese belief systems created social
systems in Shang and Zhou China
– Ancient Chinese belief systems were a
reaction to the social systems at play in
Shang and Zhou China
• How important was the role of
environment in the development of early
Chinese civilizations?