Analyzing a Civilization -
The Assignment:
make a poster that identifies:
a) important people/figures/kings/leaders
b) major religion/belief/faith
c) geography of area
d) economic systems
f) social divisions (class/rules, etc)
g) intellectual achievements
h) artistic accomplishments
The Topics:
1. Mayans
2. Medieval Europe
3. Byzantine Empire
4. Gupta
5. Nubian
6. Bantu
7. Qin Dynasty
8. Han Dynasty
9. Macedonia
10. Rome
11. Greece
12. Persia
13. Shang Dynasty
14. Zhou Dynasty
15. Hittites
16. Indus Valley
17. Egypt
18. Sumerian/ Babylonians
19. Olmec
20. Anasazi
21. Mini shrimp
22. Mauruan
24. Chavin
1. Celt
Chinese (Yellow River) Notes-
ReplyDelete-Shang/Zhour major civilizations but were not the first
Geography/Topography
-Diverse climates: north=dry, cool
west=desert, mountains
south=tropical, warmer
-Himalayan mountains, rivers, South China Sea
-Cultivated wheat, millet, and rice
-Yellow soil (Loess soil)
Leoss Soil
-Dust deposited from winds, gives river it's name and color. Accumulation=fertile and is worked with sticks
*Problem=earthquakes
Natural Barriers
-Himalayas ( west )
-Deserts ( north )
-Oceans ( east and south )
Natural Resources
-metal
-stones
-rice
-millet
Early Settlements
-Neolithic societies settled in Yellow River Valley
-Pottery and architecture
*Most famous= Yangshao society
Chinese Dynasties
-Began 1700s B.C.E, lasted until 1911 CE
-Emperors (and their families) ruled until they were taken over by rivals
List:
-Xia
-Shang
-Zhou
-Qin
-Han
-Sui
-Tang
-Sang
-Ming
-Yuang
-Qing
Xia Civilization
-2000 BCE; first civilization; "mythical" until now
-King Yu was the founder
-First to attempt to organize, unify, public life on large scale (i.e. education, public works, etc.)
-Encouraged city building and metallurgy development
Shang Dynasty
-1766-122 BCE
-First Chinese Dyansty/civilization with writing (pictograms)
-Led by warrior aristocracy
-Saw neighbors as barbarians, fought them, conquested, and expanded boundaries
-Controlled bronze production and agriculture (determined who got food)
Rulers
-Kings fought against enemies, controlled long distance trade and all empire
*Massive army
*Relied on networks of local traders reporting to them
-Shang rulers = gods
Major City: Yin
-A.K.A Anyong (main capital)
-Centers of political control and relgion\
*Huge walls around
-Palaces, admin. buildings, royal tombs, shrines, and noble homes (no commoners)
-Used Feng Shui
Trade
-Traded with Middle East (Mesopotamia)
*Jade, ivory, silk, and bronze (dead were buried with bronze)
Religion
-Shang dynasty=fortune told with ancestor worship and divination
*Oracle bones
-Saw themselves as the universe's center
Zhou Dynasty
-1027 BCE to 221BCE
-Fought against Shangs (King Wu)
-Politically sophisticated but preserved Shang's knowledge
*Internal collapse and Warring States Period caused fall
Mandate of Heaven
-"As long as leader governed wisely and fairly, he could claim divine right to rule"
*This only justified when others took over
Political Structure
-Bigger dynasty depended on territories ruled by subordinates loyal to King
New Tech.
-Zhoue= iron for weapons/tools
New Religions
-Legalism (more like political philosophies)