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Huang He (“Yellow River”) & Yangtze River …

Huang He (“Yellow River”) & Yangtze River …. 2.4: River Dynasties in China. Early rulers introduce ideas about government and society that shape Chinese civilization. A. The Geography of China. 1. Barriers Isolate China • Ocean , mountains , deserts isolate China from other areas.

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Huang He (“Yellow River”) & Yangtze River …

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  1. Huang He (“Yellow River”) & Yangtze River …

  2. 2.4: River Dynasties in China Early rulers introduce ideas about government and society that shape Chinese civilization.

  3. A. The Geography of China 1. Barriers Isolate China • Ocean, mountains, desertsisolate Chinafrom other areas 2. River Systems • Huang He (“Yellow River”) in north, Yangtzein south • Huang Heleaves loess— fertile silt —when it floods • Huang He – yellow river • 2,900 miles long • Carries yellow silt from Mongolia to pacific • Chang Jiang- Yangtze River • 3,400 miles long • Drains in the Yellow Sea • The densely culti- vated valleys of these two rivers began to emerge as one of the great food-producing areas of the ancient world. 3. Environmental Challenges • Huang Hefloods can devour whole villages • Geographic isolation means lack of trade; must be self-sufficient 4. China’s Heartland • North China Plain, area between two rivers, center of civilization

  4. B. Civilization Emerges in Shang Times 1. The First Dynasties • Around 2000 B.C.citiesarise; Yu, 1st ruler of Xia Dynasty • Yu’sflood control systems tames Huang He (“Yellow River”)

  5. B. Civilization Emerges in Shang Times • The First Dynasties • • Shang Dynasty, 1700 to 1027 B.C., 1st to leave written records

  6. The Shang are perhaps best remembered for the mastery of bronze casting. Bronze vessels, used in ceremonies, have been found in tombs throughout the Shang kingdom. More than ten thousand bronze objects survive and are among the most admired creations of Chinese art.

  7. B. Civilization Emerges in Shang Times 2. Early Cities • Built cities of wood, such as Anyang— one of its capital cities • Upper class lives inside city; poorer people live outside • Shangcitieshave massive walls for military defense

  8. C. The Development of Chinese Culture 1. Chinese Civilization • Sees China as center of world; views others as uncivilized • The groupis more important than the individual - Collectivism 2. Family • Family is central social institution; respect for parents a virtue • Elder males control family property • Womenexpected to obey all men, even sons 3. Social Classes • Kingand warrior-nobleslead society and own the land

  9. Ancient Chinese women expected to obey all men, even sons!

  10. continued The Development of Chinese Culture 4. Religious Beliefs • Spirits of dead ancestors can affect family fortunes • Priestsscratch questions on animal bones and tortoise shells • Oracle bones - used to consult gods; supreme god, Shang Di • Supernatural forces aided rulers • Priest used oracle bones • Scratched questions on bones then use hot rods to crack them and read the cracks • Worshiped Ancestors • Spirits could bring good or bad fortune. The early Chinese believed in life after death. From this belief came the veneration of ancestors commonly known in the West as “ancestor worship.” The practice of burning replicas—exact copies—of physical objects to accompany the dead on their journey to the next world continues to this day in many Chinese communities.

  11. continued The Development of Chinese Culture 5. Development of Writing • Writing system uses symbols to represent syllables; not ideas! • People of different languages can use same system! • Huge number of characters make system difficult to learn

  12. D. Zhou and the Dynastic Cycle 1. The Zhou Take Control • In 1027 B.C., Zhou Dynasty takes control of China

  13. 2. Mandate of Heaven • Mandate of Heaven —the belief that a just ruler had divineapproval • Developed as justification for change in power to Zhou • Dynastic cycle —pattern of the rise and decline of dynasties

  14. 3. Control Through Feudalism • Feudalism—system where kingsgive land to noblesin exchange for services • Over time, noblesgrow in power and begin to fight each other

  15. continued Zhou and the Dynastic Cycle 4. Improvements in Technology and Trade • Zhou Dynastybuilds roads, canals to improve transportation • Uses coins to make trade easier • Produces cast iron tools and weapons; food production increases 5. A Period of Warring States • Peaceful, stableZhou empire rules from around 1027 - 256 B.C. • In 771 B.C., nomadsattack the Zhou capital, murdermonarch • Luoyangbecomes new capital; but internal wars destroy traditions

  16. Fun facts on the Zhou Dynasty: • Time Period: 1046 BC – 211 BC (800 years!) • Kings were called the “Sons of Heaven” • Longest lasting dynasty in Chinese History (about 800 years!) • Emperor Wu was the 1st official Zhou emperor • 1st sections of theGreat Wall were built • Divided into 2 parts: Western Zhou & Eastern Zhou • Confuciuswas born during this dynasty • Chopsticks were thought to be invented in the Zhou Dynasty • Also known as the Chou Dynasty

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