• 10/23 Focus:10/23 Focus:• Chinese rulers followed the dynastic

cycle. This was the understanding that dynasties would rise and fall over and over again.

• Do Now:Do Now:–Define the term ethnocentrism and

explain how geography lead to ethnocentrism in China

ChinaChina

DynastiesDynasties

The Shang Dynasty• 1650 B.C.• Shang gain

control of N. China

• Government– Ruled by Kings– Establish first

dynasty• A ruling family

The Shang Dynasty• Religion– Polytheistic –Worshiped ancestors – Used oracle bones to try

to communicate with them• Bones inscribed with

pictographs• Priests could read them for

messages from ancestors

–Offered ancestors gifts for the afterlife

The Shang Dynasty• written language – used pictograms

• symbols that represent pictures

– Ideograms • symbols that represent

ideas.

• used on the Oracle Bones, but only few people learned how to read and write

The Shang Dynasty

• Early class systems • small warrior class ruling over the

peasants• Patriarchal Society• Male dominated

The Shang Dynasty

• Technology/Achievements/Developments:– Bronze production for weapons and

ceremonial vessels (not tools)– chariots– Silk production

– Irrigation systems

ClosureClosure

• What is a dynasty?• Explain what oracle bones were. • What is meant by term patriarchal?

The Zhou DynastyThe Zhou Dynasty

• 1029 -258 B.C. • Overthrow the

Shang – Told people that

the gods had become angry with Shang misdeeds & Gods had chosen the Zhou to rule

– Leads to the Mandate of Heaven

King Wen, The founder of the Zhou dynasty

The Mandate of HeavenThe Mandate of Heaven• divine approval to rule• Used by rulers to claim

authority over people• Was used to explain

the dynastic cycle– New dynasties were

good and just to the people

– Overtime the dynasty became corrupt and unfair to the people

– Lost approval of gods – New dynasty would take

over

Zhou GovernmentZhou Government• Zhou kings called

themselves “Sons of Heaven

• Kings granted large areas of land to their supporters– Feudalism

• Local lords controlled their own land

• Owed military service to the ruler

• Feudal lords became the real holders of power in China

Zhou AccomplishmentsZhou Accomplishments• Built roads and canals to

expand trade• Silk production

– Produced from cocoons of silkworms

– Became a major export • Made the first books

– Bound thin strips of bamboo & wood

– The I Ching– Book of Songs

• Astronomy– Developed an accurate

calendar – Studied eclipses and

movement of planets

ClosureClosure

• How was the Mandate of Heaven used to justify the overthrow of a government?

• What was the dynastic cycle?

• 10/24 Focus:10/24 Focus:– The Great Wall of China was created

during the Qin Dynasty and is an example of Chinese ethnocentrism.

– The Han Dynasty built a large civilization by using roads. They expanded trade routes and made a great deal of money that helped them expand.

• Do Now:Do Now:– Explain the Mandate of Heaven

Qin DynastyQin Dynasty

• 221 B.C.• Shi Huangdi – “The First Emperor” – Conquers the Zhou• Zhou government

was weak• Feudal lords divided

and at war

Centralized PowerCentralized Power

• Shi Huangdi centralizes power and establishes autocracy– Power from one central area– Autocracy

• A government in which the ruler has absolute or total power

– Abolishes the feudal states– Divided the country into military

districts– Harsh rules

• Rules about being on time• Forced labor to build public works• High taxes

The Great Wall of ChinaThe Great Wall of China• Extended from the

Yellow Sea to the Gobi Desert

• Forced labor used to construct the wall

• Ethnocentrism• Built to keep out

nomads and invaders

• Keep out foreign influences• Limits cultural

diffusion

• The famous Terracotta Soldiers were built to guard the Emperor’ s tomb

The Han DynastyThe Han Dynasty• 206 B.C. -220 B.C• Shi Huangdi dies in 210

B.C.• People revolt against the

Qin• Liu Bang established the

Han dyansty– Peasant leader– Takes the name Gau Zu– Reduced taxes – Changed harsh Qin laws

Han RuleHan Rule• Emperor Wudi • 441 B.C• Strengthens China’s

government and economy– Establishes civil

service system • Government workers• Civil service exam was

required to work in government

• Based on teachings of Confucius

– Opened the Silk Road

The Silk RoadThe Silk Road• Becomes a major trade route– Stretches from China to Mediterranean Sea

• Brings China in contact with other civilizations– Cultural diffusion– Buddhism from India

• New ideas, foods, animals , and products are spread along the silk road

Han Golden Age Han Golden Age

• Expansion of trade and strong government under Han rule brought peace and prosperity

• Technological Advances – Made paper from wood pulp– Iron production – Water powered mills– Invented:

• Wheelbarrow• Fishing reel• Rudder

Han Golden Age

• Advances in Science and Medicine– Acupuncture and herbal

remedies to treat illness – Develop anesthesia

• Advanced astronomers– Developed accurate

clocks

• Wrote science texts– Chemistry, botany, and

Zoology

Closure

• How is the construction of the Great Wall of China an example of Chinese ethnocentrism?

• Why did the Silk Road increase cultural diffusion?