Compare and Contrast the cultures of the Shang Dynasty & Zhou dynasties

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While the Shang dynasty encouraged the arts and humanities, the Zhou family promoted science and mathematics. The Shang clan ruled with a system of central government, while the Zhou established independent feudal states, allowing power to local rulers instead. The Zhou Dynasty focused on the success of their people in order to gain strength as a community. The Shang however spent their time on combat training and military training. Even though they had great focus on military, the Shang also recorded their history by using oracle bones and pictures. When the Zhou dynasty became powerful, they got rid of many of these practices. People moved away from human and animal sacrifices, and began to use their cultures to help with learning about technology. The Shang made many sacrifices to try and win the gods over, while the Zhou believed that doing good and having success showed how the Heaven's were on their side.

Shang Dynasty

1. 600 years 2. kept power within the family 3. used wealth to build large walled cities 4. built dikes 5. Used Oracle bones and pictographs for the writing system 6. had human & animal sacrifices 7. They offered food and wine to their gods and ancestors in the hope that these spirits would help them

Zhou dynasty

1. The Zhou gained power because the Shang kings had grown corrupt. The last Shang king governed badly, he cared only about his own enjoyment, and many people resented him. 2. When the Zhou attacked the Shang and many Shang warriors refused to fight. 3. They surrendered and accepted the Zhou king as their new ruler. 4. Mandate of Heaven- Zhou leaders declared that their success proved that they had Heaven's support. In their view heaven was the highest force of nature that gave dynasties the right to rule. 5. Rulers of the new dynasty were kind and just and served the interests of the people. 6. Emperors cared for their people and had to stop corruption. 7. Expanded its territory to reach the Chang River 8. Included many different cultures 9. Sent family members to be in charge of independent regions or states WARLORDS- the military rulers of small states. 10. The Zhou king became dependent on the nobles he sent to watch the regions 11. China entered an era of chaos- disorder and confusion This became the Warring States period 12. adopted shang laws, similar clothing, language 13. their produced bronze rivaled Shang 14. Gave up human sacrifice/Oracle bones 15. majority of people were peasants, farmers 16. Technology advances such as using Iron for crossbow and other weapons