7 aspects of civilization

1. Government & Leaders

1.1. China was ruled by a strong monarchy. Shang kings were surrounded by a court, or a gathering of wealthy nobles. They performed rituals intended to strengthen the kingdom and keep it safe.

1.2. To help keep order in China the king appointed governors to rule distant parts of the kingdom.

1.3. The king also had a large army at his disposal. This was to fight outside opponents, and to prevent rebellions.

2. Religion

2.1. Shang believed in an afterlife which means their rulers still needed their riches and servants.

2.2. Shang religion centered on the idea of ancestor worship.

2.3. The Shang offered their deceased ancestors in order to keep them happy and fulfilled in the afterlife.

3. Geography and Agriculture

3.1. Long rivers, fertile soils, temperate climates, and isolated valleys all contributed to growth and development of early China.

3.2. Annual floods along the Chang Jiang and the Huang occurred. This deposited rich soils on the river's food plains.

4. Social Structure and Family Life

4.1. Two Chinese philosophies were Confucianism and Daoism

4.2. Confucianism believed that everyone should be treated humanely. That people should show love and respect for others. Children must respect their parents and elder relatives, while parents must care for children with love and kindness.

4.3. Daosim encourages people to retreat from the laws of society and yield to the laws of nature. Yin and Yang represented an equal harmony of nature.

5. Economy and Trade

5.1. The Zhou introduced the idea that they ruled by the Mandate of Heaven. This principle stated that the gods would support a just ruler, but they Would not allow anyone corrupt to hold power.

5.2. The dynastic cycle was the rise and fall of dynasties in China.

6. Science and Technology

6.1. The Shang had many advances. They were able to build huge stable structures such as tombs.

6.2. Shang astronomers created a precise calendar based on the cycles of the moon.

6.3. There is also evidence that the Shang may have created one of the world's first systems of money.

7. Arts and Education

7.1. Shang texts were actually written on the oracle bones. They used symbols to represent different ideas or thoughts.

7.2. Chinese writing was soon developed after the oracle bones.

7.3. Artists created highly decorative bronze vessels and objects. Many of those were used in religious rituals.