1. 3000 BC Farms Along the Huang River Were Growing Larger and More Productive

II. The First Dynasty

A. Shang dynasty

1. 3000 BC farms along the Huang River were growing larger and more productive.

2. Towns grew and the largest town became the capital of states.

3. By 1700 BC one kingdom won control over the Huang River Delta.

4. Its capital was Shang.

5. Shang also became the state’s name.

6. Because it was ruled by one family for a long period of time the government became

known as the Shang dynasty.

7. A dynasty is a line of rulers who belong to the same family.

8. Control is then passed from one generation to the next.

9. The Shang dynasty ruled for 600 years from 1700 BC-1100 BC.

B. Towns Along The River

1. Shang kings created new towns by giving land to their relatives or nobles.

2. The nobles oversaw construction of the towns and became the rulers.

3. Towns were important centers of production.

4. Towns supplied food, clothing, and other products for the king and nobles.

5. Towns also kept enemy states from invading.

6. People from the towns were part-time soldiers.

C. An Ancient City

1. At the end of the Shang dynasty’s rule the capital was moved to Anyang.

2. The ruins of Anyang have taught archaeologists much about ancient China.

3. Shang society was organized like a pyramid:

a. Nobles

b. Craftworkers

c. Farmers

d. Prisoners of War

4. People in Anyang were metalworkers, potters, and servants.

D. A Written Record

1. Early Chinese writing looked like signs or pictures of objects just like cuneiform.

2. By the time of the Shang dynasty the writing and characters used were simpler.

3. Symbols could stand for objects or ideas.

4. Writing was found by archaeologists on bronze pots, stone, and “dragon bones.”

5. “Dragon bones” or “oracle bones” were cattle bones that were used by the oracles.

6. An oracle is a person who could predict the future.

E. Religion of the Shang

1. The Shang believed that their ancestors lived in another world and controlled human

life.

2. If an oracle’s prediction came true, the Shang believed that the king was being helped by

his ancestors.

3. The Shang were polytheistic.

4. They believed that the gods controlled nature.

5. They also believed that when they died they would join their ancestors and gods.