Shang Civilization (soc. sci)

Shang Civilization

Geography

• Chang Jiang (Yangtze) is the longest river in Asia and 3rd longest in the world

• Yellow RIver became a strong geographical force in China’s history

• It is believed that communities have been built in the Yellow RIver

• Around 1750 BC a family rose to power and lorded over the Yellow RIver valley

Government

• Shang Dynasty ruled over China, particularly the area east of the Yellow River and Chiang Jang

• Anyang city was the center-city of Shang Dynasty and known as the most progressive city

• Shang lasted for 500 years. It was occupied by group of Chinese from the Western part of China known as “Zhou”

Religion

• Chinese people worshipped many gods

• Believed that the gods had absolute power

• Believed that the power of Shang leaders came from the spirits of nature

Economy

• Created an economy based on agriculture, trade, and the work of its craftspeople

• Trade routes were used to connect them with faraway lands

• Cowrie Shells are used as currency

Achievements

• Bronzeware, at first used to make weapons, used for religious rituals

• System of Writing is Oracle bones which are made of animal bones and used for divination ceremonies in ancient China

• Oracle bones are important because they bear the earliest form of ancient Chinese writing and contain historically important information

Social Structure

• Kings > Nobles > Artisans & Traders > Farmers > Slaves