4 Dynasties
DYANSTIES (sequence of rulers from same family)
Shang Zhou
• First known Chinese dynasty (1750-1027 BCE)
• Woman sold into slavery
• Religion: animism, ancestor worship, human and animal sacrifice • Replaced Shang rulers as they came from the north, they adopted and built on Shang culture/ achievements and expanded territory
• Dominated early Chinese civilization along Huanghe river
• Lasted from 1027-480 BCE, longest dynasty in Chinese history
• Didn’t establish powerful government, ruled through alliances with regional princes and noble families because they couldn’t control their territories directly
• Ended because of political problems ( as alliances got stronger they stopped listening to central government) and invasion from nomadic people
• Extended territory of China by encouraging settles to move to Yangtze River valley, this expansion brought two different agricultures- wheat and rice (extensive canals and dikes built in south for rice)
a) Wheat in north, rice in south = population increase
b) Expansion complicated government control; transport difficult
• Banned human sacrifice encouraged ceremonies for gods
• Wanted people to speak same language
• Mandate of heaven: after Zhou defeated Shang they said gods told them to rule
a) Mandate had 4 principles
1. Right to rule granted by heaven
2. 1 heaven = 1 ruler
3. Right to rule based on virtue of ruler
4. Right to rule is not limited to 1 dynasty
• Iron- improvement over bronze/ weapons and plow tip
• Much warfare among nobility
a) Crossbow first developed
b) Cavalry added to chariots and foot soldiers
DYNATIES (dynastic cycle: rise, rule, and fall)
Qin Han
• Ruled from 221-207 BCE
• Ruler took title Qin Shi Huangdi, or first emperor, he was a brutal ruler
• Was careful to choose who ruled the different regions so they wouldn’t betray him (they would owe their power to him)
• Powerful armies crushed regional resistance
• Built Great Wall to prevent invasions
• Extended
Shang Zhou
• First known Chinese dynasty (1750-1027 BCE)
• Woman sold into slavery
• Religion: animism, ancestor worship, human and animal sacrifice • Replaced Shang rulers as they came from the north, they adopted and built on Shang culture/ achievements and expanded territory
• Dominated early Chinese civilization along Huanghe river
• Lasted from 1027-480 BCE, longest dynasty in Chinese history
• Didn’t establish powerful government, ruled through alliances with regional princes and noble families because they couldn’t control their territories directly
• Ended because of political problems ( as alliances got stronger they stopped listening to central government) and invasion from nomadic people
• Extended territory of China by encouraging settles to move to Yangtze River valley, this expansion brought two different agricultures- wheat and rice (extensive canals and dikes built in south for rice)
a) Wheat in north, rice in south = population increase
b) Expansion complicated government control; transport difficult
• Banned human sacrifice encouraged ceremonies for gods
• Wanted people to speak same language
• Mandate of heaven: after Zhou defeated Shang they said gods told them to rule
a) Mandate had 4 principles
1. Right to rule granted by heaven
2. 1 heaven = 1 ruler
3. Right to rule based on virtue of ruler
4. Right to rule is not limited to 1 dynasty
• Iron- improvement over bronze/ weapons and plow tip
• Much warfare among nobility
a) Crossbow first developed
b) Cavalry added to chariots and foot soldiers
DYNATIES (dynastic cycle: rise, rule, and fall)
Qin Han
• Ruled from 221-207 BCE
• Ruler took title Qin Shi Huangdi, or first emperor, he was a brutal ruler
• Was careful to choose who ruled the different regions so they wouldn’t betray him (they would owe their power to him)
• Powerful armies crushed regional resistance
• Built Great Wall to prevent invasions
• Extended