Ancient China
Agenda
Bell Ringer: Describe the concept of a Civilization. Why
do certain people emerge as leaders? How are the
Kleptocrats described?
1. Finish Discussion on the Caste System.
2. Brief Lecture: Ancient China
3. Primary Documents and POV: A Comparison of
Confucianism and Daoism
4. Legalism and the Qin Dynasty Discussion
5.
HW: Jared Diamond question next class.
Shang Dynasty
 2000 BCE
 Used Oracle Bones to
communicate with Gods.
 King was an intermediary
between humans and god.
 Veneration of Ancestors
 Burning replicas of
objects to accompany
departed.
 Human Sacrifice used to
give servants to a higher
official after death.
Shang
 Known for their mastery of
using Bronze.
 Shang Theory

Old theory stated that
civilization started at
Yellow River and
radiated outward.
Now historians believe
that Civilization in
China rose in several
places, and all had
similar technology.
Zhou Dynasty
 Longest Dynasty in
China, beginning in
1100 BCE
 Overthrew the Shang,
spread the message of
the Mandate of Heaven.

The gods place a new
person in power when
the old king is corrupt.
 Political system similar
to Shang, with a
centralized authority
and provinces.
Zhou
 Emergence of religious
philosophy.
 Confucianism




Behave according to
Dao
Political and Ethical
Duty- sacrifice for the
needs of the family
and community.
Humanity- Do not do
unto others which
should not be done
unto you.
 Daoism
 The philosophy of
inaction.
 Let nature take its
course.
 Laozi, did he exist?
 It was an escape to
political leaders.
Qin Dynasty
 Qin Shi Huangdi
 Centralized ruler
Mobilized peasants to
manual labor
 Forced to work on his
tomb OR Great Wall.
 Followed a Legalist
Philosophy.
 Humans were naturally
evil, and would only
follow the correct path if
led by harsh laws and
punishments.
 Action by the State would
bring order.
