1. Arts and Education
1.1. Sumerian
1.1.1. Their architecture included arches, ramps, and collumns
1.1.2. They used cylinder seals to "sign" documents
1.1.3. The writing system is called Cuneiform
1.1.4. The Sumerians developed a math system based on 60
1.2. Shang/Zhou
1.2.1. The Shang developed Chinese writing
1.2.2. They wrote on Oracle bones
1.2.3. Used picture symbols to represent objects/ideas
1.2.4. Artists created decorative bronze objects
2. Economy and Trade
2.1. Sumerian
2.1.1. Sumer lacked many raw materials
2.1.2. They traded with Southwest Asia
2.1.3. They exchanged woven textiles for metals,timber and stone
2.1.4. The invention of the plow and wheel boosted their production
2.2. Shang/Zhou
2.2.1. Shang introduced the first system of money
2.2.2. The wealthy nobles and Kings had expensive bronze and jade valuables
2.2.3. Iron became the backbones of the Zhou economy
2.2.4. Zhou introduced coins to China
3. Government and Leaders
3.1. Sumerian
3.1.1. -Priests had high status and governed at first
3.1.2. Then the war-chiefs ruled as Kings
3.1.3. They performed ceremonies to please the Gods
3.1.4. The city-states' Kings formed dynaties
3.2. Shang/Zhou
3.2.1. During the Shang period government was led by strong monarchy
3.2.2. The King appointed governers to rule distant parts of the kingsom
3.2.3. The Zhou Explained that the Shang had fallen because they lost God's favor
3.2.4. Zhou introduced the Mandate of Heaven idea
4. Religion
4.1. Sumerian
4.1.1. The Sumerians practiced polytheism
4.1.2. They believed that Gods controlled the natural forces
4.1.3. They worked hard to please the Gods
4.1.4. They built temples to worship their many Gods
4.2. Shang/Zhou
4.2.1. Shang believed that int he after life, the ruler would still need his riches and servants
4.2.2. Most Shang tombs contained valuable items
4.2.3. Religion centered around ancestor worship
4.2.4. They used Oracle bones to write and ask questions to their ancestors
5. Science and Technlogy
5.1. Sumerian
5.1.1. They performed basic surgery
5.1.2. Invented the plow
5.1.3. They learned to make strong materials out of bronze
5.1.4. The Sumerians invented the wheel
5.2. Shang/Zhou
5.2.1. Zhou learned how to use iron
5.2.2. Iron was used to invent the catapult
5.2.3. The Zhou introduced coins and chopsticks
5.2.4. Shang created a precise lunar calendar
6. Geography and Agriculture
6.1. Sumerian
6.1.1. Located in the Fertile Crescent
6.1.2. Tigris and Euphrates rivers flooded every year
6.1.3. Flat swampy area was well suited for agriculture
6.1.4. Developed methods to control water
6.2. Shang/Zhou
6.2.1. Most Shang people spent their time in the fields tending to crops
6.2.2. It was an excellent region for growing rice
6.2.3. the rivers and fertile soil allowed the Chinese to thrive
6.2.4. Located between the Chang Jiang and the Huang He
7. Social Structure and Family Life
7.1. Sumerian
7.1.1. At the top of the social structure was Kings, priests and principal agents
7.1.2. Wealthy merchants and large land owners were second on the social structure
7.1.3. Most of the Sumerians came next and at the bottom were slaves
7.1.4. Men held political power and women took care of the children
7.2. Shang/Zhou
7.2.1. Slaves built buildings
7.2.2. Farmers grew important crops such as rice
7.2.3. The Shang had a "court" of wealthy nobles
7.2.4. The King appointed governors and also a large army