EARLY SOCIETY IN EAST ASIA Flashcards
Banpo Village – Neolithic China
a Neolithic site in the Yellow River Valley, east of Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, in the People’s Republic of China.
Geographic Isolation
The Yellow river and mountains throughout china allowed for China to become primarily isolationist. they developed their own practices, beliefs, and culture.
Shang Dynasty
overthrew the Xia dynasty. first written documents, most oracle bones or bronze. had iron, horses, wheeled vehicles
Xia Dynasty – “legendary”, limited archeological evidence
they had advanced pottery, and city wall remains. history is mainly oral so not documented.
“Middle Kingdom” - ethnocentrism
According to ancient Chinese leaders, China was the center, most important place- surrounding them were nomadic populations and others who were dependent upon Chinese trade/culture.
Zhou Dynasty
conquered the shang dynasty. Conquered a weak decentralized Shang Dynasty
Longest Chinese Dynasty
Some end it 403 BCE- Warring States Period
Spread the language, writing and culture of the Shang throughout the northern reaches of China
“Mandate of Heaven” – dynastic cycle
it explains the rise and fall of the Chinese empires. The leader keeps his role as emperor as long as he does his duties and responsibilities. but if he fails to than the gods will take him out of his place and replace him a new leader.
Centralized government
one all powerful government that controls all many states.
Ruling elite
royal family and allied nobles
Veneration of ancestors; oracle bones
oracle bones were used to predict the future. offered previous ancestors, good, and for there duration of the after life.
Patriarchy
Patriarchy is a social system in which positions of dominance and privilege are held by men
Chinese writing
the chinese had a writing system in the shang zhou and han dynasties.
Zhou Dynasty Classics
The Zhou Dynasty made significant cultural contributions to agriculture, education, military organization, Chinese literature, music, philosophical schools of thought, and social stratification as well as political and religious innovations.
“Barbarians” – northern steppes nomads
which is the vast, grassy plain that stretches from Eastern Europe to China. These groups included the Huns, the Mongols, the Turks, and the Scythians, among others.
