Name _____________________________ Class _________________ Date __________________

Ancient India and China Section 4

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Full Survey Chapter 4 44 Interactive Reader and Study Guide

Key Terms

loess a fine dusty soil carried into China by desert winds

court gathering of wealthy nobles

oracle bones inscribed bits of animal bones or turtle shell that were used to seek advice

from dead ancestors

Mandate of Heaven principle stating that the gods would support a just ruler, but they

would not allow anyone corrupt to hold power

dynastic cycle the rise and fall of dynasties

Confucianism philosophy that stresses treating others humanely, practicing traditional

rituals, and honoring one’s ancestors

Daoism philosophy that teaches that harmony is found by finding one’s place in nature

Taking Notes As you read the summary, use a graphic organizer like the one below to

take notes on the development and achievements of China’s earliest

dynasties.

MAIN IDEA China’s river valley civilizations built the foundations of a long-shared Chinese

culture. The achievements of the Shang and Zhou dynasties can be felt to this

day.

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Ancient India and China Section 4

Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.

Full Survey Chapter 4 45 Interactive Reader and Study Guide

Section Summary CHINA’S GEOGRAPHY

The first Chinese civilizations grew in river valleys

created by the Chang Jiang river, also known as the

Yangzi, and the Huang He, or Yellow River. Annual

floods left behind rich soil in both valleys. The Huang

He valley also benefited from loess (LES), a fine dusty

soil carried into China by desert winds.

Mountains, hills, and desert protected early Chinese

civilizations from invaders. Historians believe

Chinese civilization began in the Huang He valley,

where people started growing crops about 9,000 years

ago. According to legend, this civilization was ruled

by the Xia (SHYAH) dynasty.

THE SHANG DYNASTY

Because no evidence of the Xia dynasty has been

found, most historians date Chinese civilization to the

beginning of the Shang dynasty around 1766 BC.

Shang kings ruled from their capital of Anyang where

they were surrounded by a court, or gathering of

wealthy nobles. Shang rulers appointed governors to

keep order in distant parts of the kingdom. The king’s

army fought invaders and prevented rebellions.

Most people in Shang China were farmers.

Sometimes, they had to serve in the army or build

tombs, palaces, or walls. The wealthy had time for

leisure, such as hunting for sport. Much of what

historians know about the Shang comes from studying

royal tombs. Most of these tombs contained valuable

items made of bronze and jade, as well as sacrificed

prisoners of war. From this evidence, historians have

concluded that the Shang believed in an afterlife in

which a ruler would still need his riches and servants.

Shang religion centered on ancestor worship. The

Shang offered gifts to keep their ancestors happy in

the afterlife. Oracle bones made of inscribed bits of

animal bone or turtle shell were used to seek advice

from dead ancestors. The earliest Chinese writings are

questions written on oracle bones. Picture symbols

were used to represent objects or ideas.

The Shang became skilled at making items out of

bronze and they learned to build huge structures, such

Underline the names of the

two river valleys where the

first Chinese civilizations

developed. What

geographic features helped

the development of

civilizations in China?

_______________________

_______________________

How were oracle bones

related to ancestor worship

in Shang China?

_______________________

_______________________

Name _____________________________ Class _________________ Date __________________

Ancient India and China Section 4

Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.

Full Survey Chapter 4 46 Interactive Reader and Study Guide

as tombs. In addition, Shang astronomers created a

precise calendar based on the cycles of the moon.

THE ZHOU DYNASTY

The Shang ruled until about 1100 BC, when an army

of the Zhou invaded. The Zhou convinced the Chinese

people to accept them as rulers by saying that they

ruled by the Mandate of Heaven. This principle

stated that the gods would support a just ruler, but not

a corrupt ruler. Later, rulers explained the dynastic

cycle, or the rise and fall of dynasties, as a result of

the Mandate of Heaven.

The Zhou learned to make objects from iron, which

could be cast more cheaply than bronze, and produced

stronger weapons. New farming techniques created a

surplus of food. Cities grew, canals and roads were

built, and transportation improved. The Zhou

introduced coins and pioneered the use of chopsticks.

Conflict in the later years of Zhou rule weakened

the kingdom. Rebellions waged from 403 BC to 221

BC, called the Warring States Period. Eventually, the

Qin dynasty arose, ending both the Warring States

Period and the Zhou dynasty.

NEW PHILOSOPHIES

Among the many new philosophies developed during

the late Zhou period were Confucianism and Daoism

(DOW-iz-uhm). Confucianism is based on the

teachings of Kongfuzi, also known as Confucius. It

stresses treating others humanely and with respect,

practicing traditional rituals, and honoring one’s

ancestors. His teachings on how to improve society

were collected in a book called the Analects and had a

lasting impact on China. Confucius taught that a ruler

should be advised by qualified people, so China’s

emperors selected their advisors based on merit.

Daoists believe in the dao, or the way, a limitless

force that connects all things in nature. Daoism

teaches that finding one’s place in nature leads to

harmony. Daoists embrace the Chinese concept of yin

and yang, the balancing aspects of nature. Among the

first people to write about Daoist teachings was Laozi

(LOW-dzuh), who wrote the Dao De Jing.

What technological

developments were made

during the Zhou dynasty?

How did each benefit

society?

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

What does Confucianism

have in common with the

religion practiced during

the Shang dynasty?

_______________________

_______________________