Early Chinese civilization originated around 4000 BCE in the Yellow River valley, where some of the earliest forms of agriculture developed. Over time, civilization expanded along China's major river systems, including the Yangtze River. During the Shang Dynasty from around 1700-1050 BCE, Chinese civilization advanced with developments in bronze metallurgy, the earliest forms of writing in the form of oracle bones, and a new social hierarchy. The subsequent Zhou Dynasty built upon these foundations and established feudalism as a new political system from 1050-256 BCE.

1. Chinese Civilization
Discuss the evolution of early Chinese civilization from its
Neolithic origins to the period of the Eastern Zhou.

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. Chinese Civilization

6. Task: Share your understanding with class.
• Discuss

7. 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)

8. 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.

9. Three Features of
Shang Dynasty
• 1. Writing
• 2. Bronze
• 3. Social Classes

10. 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

11. Task: Create at least three Questions about
Shang Dynasty then answer these questions
• Example: What is the Shang dynasty best known for?

12. Late Bronze Age:
Western ZHOU
• Shang ruled, in the
valley of the Wei River,
a tributary of the yellow
river.

13. Western Zhou Dynasty

14. Instruction: Watch the video then write at least
4 lines about Zhou Dynasty.

15. Task: Read the second paragraph on page 32
then order the social classes of Zhou Dynasty.
• 1.

16. 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.