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Chinese Civilization
Discuss the evolution of early Chinese civilization from its
Neolithic origins to the period of the Eastern Zhou.
Neolithic Origins in the Yellow River Valley
• Agriculture began in China about 4000 B.C.E in the basin of the southern
bend of the Yellow river.
Four great river systems
• 1. Yangtze in central China. (Chang Jiang)
• 2. West rive in Southern China.
• 3. Red river in northern china
• 4. Yellow river Southern bend
Task: Use your laptops and find the nearest
landmark for each river.
• 1. Yangtze in central China. (Chang Jiang)
• 2. West rive in Southern China.
• 3. Red river in northern china
• 4. Yellow river Southern bend
Chinese Civilization
Task: Share your understanding with class.
• Discuss
Early Bronze Age 2000 -1000B.C.E: The Shang
The Traditional history of China tells of three ancient dynasties.
1. Xia (2205-1766 B.C.E)
2. Shang (1766-1050 B.C.E)
3. Zhou (1050-265 B.C.E)
Facts about the Shang Dynasty
• It is referred as the Yin Dynasty.
• Shang was Wu Din who ruled for 58 years.
• Yin Xu was the capital of Shang Dynasty currently (Anyang) look at the map
1-6.
• Oracle bones (animal bones) discovered have been the shoulder blades of
Oxen and turtle shells.
Three Features of
Shang Dynasty
• 1. Writing
• 2. Bronze
• 3. Social Classes
Achievements of Shang Dynasty
• The Shang Dynasty's accomplishments and characteristics include bronze
work.
Military (Troops 3000 or 4000) for Battle 12000, technology, including horse-
drawn chariots, writing (Oracle bones, a calendar (a month of 30 days and
year of 360 days, and religion, which featured ancestor worship and oracle
bones
Task: Create at least three Questions about
Shang Dynasty then answer these questions
• Example: What is the Shang dynasty best known for?
Late Bronze Age:
Western ZHOU
• Shang ruled, in the
valley of the Wei River,
a tributary of the yellow
river.
Western Zhou Dynasty
Instruction: Watch the video then write at least
4 lines about Zhou Dynasty.
Task: Read the second paragraph on page 32
then order the social classes of Zhou Dynasty.
• 1.
Mandate of
Heaven
• mandate or blessing.
The Chinese
philosophical concept
of the circumstances
under which a ruler is
allowed to rule. Good
rulers would be allowed
to rule with the
Mandate of heaven.