Ancient Chinese CivilizationsThe Shang, Zhou & Qin

Dynasties

The first known dynasty of China was theShang dynasty. Geo: This dynasty united the people living around the Huang He and Yangtze river valleys.

The Zhou Dynasty Around 1027 B.C.,

the Zhou conquered the Shang.

The Zhou dynasty lasted longer than any other Chinese dynasty. It lasted from 1027 B.C. to 221 B.C.

In order to govern area, began practicing feudalism

Japan’s rugged terrain Hard for rulers

to look over nobles (gave nobles more power)

nobility (samurai) were religiously loyal to their local lords, the lords didn’t give them land to own

Mandate of Heaven 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.

The Mandate of Heaven can be viewed as the right to rule.

Dynastic cycle: The ruler kept the Mandate of Heaven for as long as he ruled effectively.

Philosophers during Zhou China

During the Zhou dynasty, two important Chinese philosophies developed.

Confucianism and Daoism were two significant philosophies developed during the Zhou dynasty.

Both philosophies stressed the importance of harmony as Zhou China experienced increased warfare.

Confucianism….Remember? Confucius was China’s

most influential scholar. He had a deep desire to

restore the moral order of earlier times.

He thought people should abide by a code of proper conduct within their relationships. Ruler to subject

Parent to child

Husband to wife

Elder to younger sibling

Friend to friend

It is believed thatthe founder of

Daoism or Taoismwas Lao Tzu.Daoism was aphilosophy that

stressed theimportance of

nature. By livingnaturally, harmonycould be achieved.

Daoism (Laozi)

Masculine Active Light Warmth Strong Heaven; Sun

Feminine Passive Darkness Cold Weak Earth; Moon

Achievements of the Zhou Empire

built roads and canals

coined money / helped trade

furnaces produced cast iron

Zhou to Qin: Warring States

Disorder or loose government of Later Zhou devolves into “Warring States Period”

Autonomous smaller regions emerge as largely independent nations

Periodic war ensuesOne among the several emerges to

establish a new, far more centralized dynasty

Qin Dynasty emerges as the first Chinese “Empire” 221 BC

Qin Shi Huang Di Unifies China by

brute force

Adopts Legalism as official governing ideology-Humans are selfish and evil; can not be reformed

Rules with ruthless, iron fist

Confucian doctrine is misguided and corrupting

Qin Dynasty:Qin Shi HuangDiRejects Confucian

Governance Rules

Orders Slaughter of 400 Scholars

Orders ALL Confucian Documents/Books Burned

Qin DynastyCaptures and unifies

much of China

Builds first Great Wall

Builds Canal System

Include this under summary

Qin Dynasty:Qin Shi Huang DiBuilds Great TombTerracotta Warriors – 8000 + and still

counting

Terracotta Army

Qin Dynasty: Problems

Legalism Provides no Legitimating MythNo Mandate of Heaven Claim

Legalism = rule of law --- but by force

Force as a source of Power???Generates HostilityRequires vigilant monitoringInevitably creates the revolution that destroys it

Qin Dynasty: Collapse 205 BC

First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang Di, Dies

Son, heir not as capable or brutal

Alienation leads to revolt and collapse

Map these areas/placesShang Dynasty outline in color/Capital

of AnyangZhou Dynasty outline in color/Capital of

LuoyangQin Dynasty outline in color/Capital of

XianyangGreat Wall in map D p. 23Huang He/Yellow RiverYangtze RiverBay of BengalSouth China SeaEast China SeaGobi DesertHimalaya Mountains