1. Arts and Education
1.1. Shang/Zhou
1.1.1. The Shang developed Chinese writing that was closely tied to the use or oracle bones
1.1.2. They also began to make different tools and pots out of bronze which were used in religious rituals
1.1.3. Shang/Zhou Art
1.2. Sumerians
1.2.1. Sumerian writing was called cuneiform. They would use sharp tools to make wedge marks in clay tablets.
1.2.2. Their architecture includes the use of ramps, arches, and columns.
1.2.3. The Sumerians made up a math system based on the number 60. We still divide an hour in 60 minutes.
1.2.4. Sumerian Art
2. Economy and Trade
2.1. Sumerians
2.1.1. Sumerians traded with people across South West Asia.
2.1.2. Traded woven textiles for metals, timber and stone.
2.1.3. Trading created a social hierarchy.
2.2. Shang/Zhou
2.2.1. Peasants did the work, while being ordered around by the nobles.
2.2.2. Made all of their tools themselves.
3. Social Structure and Family Life
3.1. Sumerians
3.1.1. Social hierarchy developed. Kings and priests, were at the top. Large landowners and wealthy merchants after. Laborers, farmers, and artisans were below them. Slaves at the bottom.
3.1.2. Men and women had distinct roles. Men had political power and made laws. Women stayed home and took care of children. Few upper-class women got an education and were priestess in the temple.
3.2. Shang/Zhou
3.2.1. A large agricultural society, most people spent their time tending to their crops
3.2.2. Women were thought inferior to men. Women did not get any respect nor did they get an education.
4. Geography and Agriculture
4.1. Sumerians
4.1.1. The Sumerians land was very flat and swampy
4.1.2. They got very little rain so they had to store water to help grow plants
4.1.3. Shang was dependent on rain and snow melting from nearby mountains
4.2. Shang/Zhou
4.2.1. There were two major river valleys that they could get water from by their settlement
4.2.2. Shang settled in a place much like the Fertile Cresent
5. Science and technology
5.1. Shang/Zhou
5.1.1. The Zhou learned how to use iron tools, which strengthened their army.
5.1.2. The Zhou created chopsticks which are still used there today.
5.1.3. Shang/Zhou technology
5.2. Sumerians
5.2.1. The Sumerians created sharp tools called styluses to make symbols on clay tablets.
5.2.2. They invented the wheel to make pottery and build a variety of vehicles.
5.2.3. The Sumerians also invented the plow.
5.2.4. Sumerian technology
6. Government and Leaders
6.1. Sumerians
6.1.1. Preists high statuses let them be able to govern the city states in Sumer
6.1.2. War chiefs became kings who served as the gods' chief representitives who formed dynasties
6.2. Shang/Zhou
6.2.1. China was ruled by strong monarchy of kings surrounded by a court of wealthy nobles
6.2.2. The king appointed governors to rule distant parts of the kingdom
6.2.3. The king also had a disposable army who fought opponents outside China and controlled reblions
7. Religion
7.1. Shang/Zhou
7.1.1. Shang believed in ancestor worship; Zhou believed in confucianism
7.1.2. Most tombs contained valuable things made of bronze and jade
7.1.3. The prepared meals with their ancestors in mind and believed that eating it would nourish their ancestors' spirits.
7.1.4. Shang/Zhou religious artifact
7.2. Sumerians
7.2.1. Polytheism (the worship of many Gods)
7.2.2. Believed a God protected each city-state
7.2.3. Worked hard to please the Gods
7.2.4. Sumerian religious artifact