Barriers like oceans, mountains, and deserts isolated early China, but two major river systems, the Huang He and Yangtze, supported agriculture. The Huang He's floods could devastate villages but also left fertile silt. China's heartland in the North China Plain between the rivers became the center of civilization. The first dynasties like the Xia and Shang emerged around 2000 BCE, with the Shang establishing cities, writing, and social hierarchy. Under the Zhou dynasty starting in 1027 BCE, a system of feudalism developed where kings granted land to nobles in exchange for loyalty and service, though this contributed to instability and warfare between states over time.

2.  Barriers Isolate China
 Ocean, mountains, deserts isolate China from
other areas

4.  River Systems
 Huang He (“Yellow
River”) in north,Yangtze
in south
 Huang He leaves loess—
fertile silt—when it
floods

5.  Environmental Challenges
 Huang He floods can devour whole villages
 Geographic isolation means lack of trade; must be
self-sufficient
 China’s Heartland
 North China Plain, area between two rivers, center
of civilization

6.  The First Dynasties
 Around 2000 B.C.E., cities arise;Yu, first ruler of
Xia Dynasty
 Yu’s flood control system tames Huang He
 Shang Dynasty, 1700 to 1027 B.C.E., first to leave
written records

7.  Early Cities
 Built cities of wood, such as Anyang—one of its
capital cities
 Upper classes live inside city; poorer people live
outside
 Shang cities have massive walls for military
defense

8.  Chinese Civilization
 SeesChina as center of world; views others as
uncivilized
 The group is more important than the individual
 Family
 Family is central social institution; respect for parents
a virtue
 Elder males control family property
 Women expected to obey all men, even sons
 Social Classes
 King and warrior-nobles lead society and own the land

9.  Religious Beliefs
 Spirits of dead ancestors
can affect family
fortunes
 Oracle bones used to
consult gods; supreme
god, Shang Di
▪ Priests scratch questions
on animal bones and
toroise shells

10.  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.  The ZhouTake Control
 In 1027 B.C., Zhou Dynasty takes control of China
 Mandate of Heaven
 The belief that a just ruler had divine approval
 Developed as justification for change in power to
Zhou
 Dynastic Cycle—pattern of the rise and decline of
dynasties

13.  ControlThrough Feudalism
 Feudalism—system where kings give land to
nobles in exchange for services
 Over time, nobles grow in power and begin to
fight each other

14.  Improvements in
Technology andTrade
 Zhou Dynasty builds
roads, canals to improve
transportation
 Uses coins to make
trade easier
 Produces cast iron tools
and weapons; food
production increases

15.  A period of Warring States
 Peaceful, stable Zhou empire rules from around
1027 to 256 B.C.
 In 771 B.C.E., nomads sack the Zhou capital,
murder monarch
 Luoyang becomes new capital, but internal wars
destroy traditions