3.4 Ancient Civilization in China

he evidence shows that the Shang capital at Anyang was a walled city. From there, the Shang controlled the North China plain and fought off nomads from the northern steppes and deserts

Princes and nobles loyal to the Shang dynasty governed most of the land. They were likely the heads of important clans, or groups of families who claim a common ancestor.

What are some of the important technological advances made in early China? Why are they important?

Silk making gave China a valuable trade item; a complex written language that was common to all who could read and write made it possible to communicate with people from all over China despite local dialects; and book-making allowed ideas and information to be documented as well as brought to other areas of China.

resembled the small kingdoms of Aryan India than the centralized governments ruled by the Egyptian pharaohs

Still, the most powerful Shang kings could muster armies of several thousand to battle threats to their land.

his students collected his sayings in the

Analects. The sayings offered advice for living a good and honorable life.

The richly furnished tombs of the kings showed that they were at the top of the social hierarchy

Artifacts show that she owned land and helped to lead a large army against invaders. This evidence suggests that noblewomen may have had considerable status during the Shang period.

What characteristics did the Shang and Zhou governments and social structures have in common?

Both governments had a feudal system: kings had great wealth while nobles governed most of the land and provided armies. Both dynasties had social structures made up of rulers and noble warriors, artisans, merchants, and peasants.

Compare the basic ideas of Confucianism and Daoism in their approach to how people should live their lives.

Confucianism taught people to accept their place in society and to live their lives according to the duties and responsibilities of their roles in the five key relationships. Daoism taught people to focus on living in harmony with nature. Some Daoists turned away from what they considered the unnatural ways of society.

How did a uniform system of writing benefit the Chinese?

Different languages were spoken throughout China. Since all of China used the same system of writing, it provided a way for all Chinese to communicate regardless of spoken language.

What are some ways that geographical features shaped how people lived in ancient China?

Fertile areas around rivers and river valleys encouraged people to live as farmers. Desert and mountainous areas encouraged a nomadic lifestyle.

How did China's varied geography both help and hinder China's development as a country?

Geographic barriers kept China isolated, allowing it to develop without interference from foreign invasion. At the same time, fertile river valleys allowed farmers to grow enough food to feed growing populations, increase trade, and expand their economy.

The Master said, if out of the three hundred Songs I had to take one phrase to cover all my teaching

I would say 'Let there be no evil in your thoughts.'

Recall the question introduced at the beginning of this lesson: Do Confucianism and Daoism constitute philosophies, religions, or both? What is your opinion on this?

In general, Confucianism is usually thought of as a philosophy and Daoism a religion. Confucianism is concerned with the secular—codes of behavior and proper social relationships—and is not overly concerned with the traditional realm of religion that relates to the divine. Daoism, on the other hand, fits the traditional definition of religion, as it includes gods, goddesses, and priests.

What aspects of Confucianism and Daoism do you think contributed to their long-lasting influence?

The Confucian emphasis on achieving social harmony by performing the duties associated with their roles gave people a sense of structure and a map for achieving a good life. Daoism's emphasis on living in harmony with nature and the virtue of yielding to the ways of the universe gave people a way of looking beyond everyday cares.

What are some of the contributions both the Shang and Zhou dynasties made to the growth of China's classical civilization?

The Shang established a system of cooperative government that produced enough stability to support artisans. The Zhou further solidified that government into feudalism. Introducing the idea of dynastic cycles and the Mandate of Heaven led to more attention being paid to good vs. bad government. That eventually brought economic prosperity and technological advances that benefited the civilization as a whole.

Why do you think Shang kings only controlled a small area, while loyal princes and nobles governed most of the land? What would be the purpose of dividing power in this manner?

The Shang kings were "at the top of the social hierarchy." However, the Shang kings probably controlled only a small area. This indicates that the kings were aware of how much land they could control. Rather than attempting to control too much, they left local governance to local nobles. Then, if needed, the kings could call upon local nobles to muster armies of several thousand men.

What are three ways that China expanded during the Zhou dynasty?

The Zhou dynasty expanded economic production by developing new iron tools that helped produce more food. They grew new crops, and organized large-scale irrigation works. They expanded commerce by using money. Economic expansion led to an increase in population which led to the settling and farming of new territories.

to the rise of a strong central government. In time, the small farming villages gave rise to ancient Chinese civilization, sometimes called the Yellow River civilization.

When heavy rains and winter melt off swelled the river, it ran high above the surrounding plains. If the dikes broke, floodwaters burst over the land, destroying crops, and leading to mass starvation. In Chinese writing, the character for misfortune is a river with a blockage that causes flooding.

What are some of the most notable achievements of early China?

a complex system of writing, the first books, silk-making, the development of an accurate calendar, advancements in the art and technology of bronze-making

To justify their rebellion against the Shang, the Zhou promoted

the idea of the Mandate of Heaven, or the divine right to rule. The cruelty of the last Shang king, they declared, had so outraged the gods that they had sent ruin on him. The gods then passed the Mandate of Heaven to the Zhou, who "treated the multitudes of the people well."

The "River of Sorrows" Chinese history began in the Huang River valley, where Neolithic people learned to farm. As in other places, the need to control the flow of the river through large water projects probably led

to the rise of a strong central government. In time, the small farming villages gave rise to ancient Chinese civilization, sometimes called the Yellow River civilization.