Shang Dynasty

(1750-1040 BC)

*bronze

*1st written texts/materials

* concepts of yin and yang develop

*mostly farming

*under aristocracy

*life after death-provide kings&fam. members w/ companions for afterlife

*1st official dynasty with evidence

Zhou

(1040-356 BC)

*overthrow Shang claiming Mandate of Heaven

*fuedal

*local authority hereditary

*iron

*ox-drawn iron-tipped plow used, large scale irrigation, canals= population growth

*Confucius and Lao-tse est. 2 important "school of thought"

Period of Warring States

(400-221 BC)

*Warriors battle each other for control

*no one superior

Qin / Ch'in

(221-206 BC)

* 1st Emp. ends PWS by defeating rivals

*forced nobility to move to capital

*organized population into groups of 10- each responsible for other 9 (makes state > family)

*Confucianism outlawed-- LEGALISM followed (to keep society in check)

*peasants could own land but had to pay taxes- serfdome gone- takes power from nobles

*Dynasty ends after Emps death, terra cotta warriors & great wall still stay

Han

(206BC-220 CE)

*Confucian ideals brought back

*Greatest extent and development (Wu Ti)

*Trade with Rome-- Great Silk route

*Civil service exam initiated

*Buddhism introduced to China (1st cent CE)

Sui

(581-617)

*Re-est. strong empire- shortlived due to heavy taxes and cumpulsory labor

*Grand Canal begun

*great wall reconstructed

Tang

(618-907)

*Golden Age of art and lit. (high point of chinese civ.)

*Buddhism flourished

*civil service exam/system perected (scholar/official more dedicated&efficient in admin. gov. than aristocrats and warlords)

*military expansion of territory (Tibet, Annam, Tarim, Basin)

*Empress Wu: only woman to truly rule China directly

Sung

(960-1279)

Yuan

(1249-1368)

*Kublai Khan & Mongols take over

*Islam akes hold in the NW, SW

*Much contact w/ West (mongols ruled all of Asia, parts of Russia, and E. Europe)

*Marco Polo supposedly visits

*Cultural diversity (due to alien ruling power)

*pretty much outsiders rule