River Valley Dynasties in China

1
River Valley Dynasties in China

• S. McGlauthing

2
The Geography of China

• Natural barriers isolated China from other
  ancient civilizations
• Pacific Ocean
• Himilayas
• Deserts
• Huang He (Yellow River) deposited dusty yellow
  silt when it floods. The silt is fertile soil
  called loess.

3
Chinas Dynasties

• Xia Dynsaty no written records not much known
• Shang Dynsaty first family of Chinese rulers to
  leave written records
• Anyang (capital) was made of wood
• Surrounded their cities with walls
• Social Classes sharp divisions between
• Nobles owned land
• Peasants worked the land
• Artisians made magnificant bronze weapons and
  vessels

4
Shang DynastyOrigins of Culture

• Community and family more important than the
  individual
• Male dominate (patriarchial)
• Women treated inferior
• Achievements
• Writing
• Silk
• Coined money
• Cast iron

5
Chinese Dynasties

• Zhou Dynasty
• Overthrew the Shang
• Large cities with roads and canals

6
Your Turn

• On page 15 of your ISN you will create a
  illustrated dictionary. Terms can be found on
  pages 48-50
• These are the terms you will illustrate
• Oracle bones
• Mandate of Heaven
• Dynastic Cycle
• Feudalism