The first dynasty of China for which
archaeologists have evidence was
the Shang dynasty. This dynasty
developed in the the Huang He
River Valley.
E. Napp
An early Chinese writing system
developed during the Shang
Dynasty.
E. Napp
Shang
artisans
created
beautiful
jewelry,
pottery, and
other objects.
They even
used bronze.
E. Napp
The Shang dynasty
lasted from
1766 B.C. to
1050 B.C. It is also
important to
remember that
a dynasty is a ruling
family.
E. Napp
But eventually, the
ruling
family of the
Shang
were
conquered by
the Zhou.
E. Napp
The Zhou dynasty ruled from 1027 B.C.
to 221 B.C.
E. Napp
 The Zhou dynasty lasted longer
than any other Chinese dynasty.
 Zhou rulers claimed the right to rule
or the Mandate of Heaven.
E. Napp
 The Mandate of Heaven was the
Chinese belief that the gods picked
the emperor to rule but the gods
could also remove a bad emperor
from power.
E. Napp
The dynastic cycle reflects that
the dynasties change.
E. Napp
If the dynasty
cannot protect
the people
against invaders,
floods, droughts,
or famines, the
dynasty must
be removed.
E. Napp
A dynasty that
cannot protect
and provide for
its people has lost
the right to rule. It
has lost the Mandate
of Heaven.
E. Napp
China had many
dynasties
because of the
Zhou’s belief
in the Mandate
of Heaven. The
gods picked the
emperor but
could also remove
an emperor.
E. Napp
 During the Zhou dynasty, two important
Chinese philosophies developed.
 Confucianism and Daoism were two
significant philosophies that developed
during the Zhou dynasty.
 Both philosophies stressed the
importance of harmony as Zhou China
experienced increased warfare.
E. Napp
Confucius was an
important Chinese
philosopher.
He stressed the
importance of order
to achieve harmony.
Confucius believed
that if people knew
and did what they
should do, then
harmony would
occur.
E. Napp
It is believed that
the founder of
Daoism or Taoism
was Laozi.
Daoism was a
philosophy that
stressed the
importance of
nature. By living
naturally, harmony
could be achieved.
E. Napp
Over time, the Zhou dynasty
was weakened by warring states.
the Zhou could not control the
powerful families of China. It
eventually collapsed.
E. Napp