1. Geography and Agriculture
1.1. Sumerians
1.1.1. Located in Mesopotamia in the fertile crescent in between the Tigiris and Euphrates river.
1.1.2. Had very rich soil because of the rivers surrounding them.
1.1.3. Rivers flooded frequently and at inopportune moments like when food was about to be harvested.
1.1.4. It was very hot and didn't rain often
1.2. Shang/Zhou
1.2.1. These civilizations were located in a river valley.
1.2.2. The soil was very fertile.
1.2.3. Northern china had a colder and drier climate that was suitable for grains like wheat and millet.
1.2.4. Southern china had a warm climate and received plenty of rainfall which was good for rice.
2. Social Structure and Family Life
2.1. Shang/Zhou
2.1.1. Most people of the Shang dynasty spent time working and tending to crops and were at times called upon to work along slaves in large projects.
2.1.2. The Shang nobles had time to pursuit other activities and were very wealthy.
2.1.3. The Zhou dynasty had the influence of Confucianism which is the belief that a ruler should treat their subjects with respect and loyalty.
2.1.4. In the Zhou dynasty due to Confucianism many emperors had selected their advisers based on merit which made it possible to move up in social class.
2.2. Sumerians
2.2.1. Kings, Priests, and principal agents were at the top of the social hierarchy.
2.2.2. Large landowners ans=d wealthy merchants were next.
2.2.3. Next were a majority of Sumerians. They were the artisans, farmers and laborers. At the bottom of the Hierarchy were slaves.
2.2.4. Women stayed home to cook and take care of the home and children.
3. Government and Leaders
3.1. Shang/Zhou
3.1.1. Ruled by a strong Monarchy.
3.1.2. The King of the dynasty was surrounded by a court of nobles who performed rituals intended to strengthen the dyanasty.
3.1.3. The King appointed governors to help rule distance parts of the dyanasty.
3.1.4. The King had a large army used to help keep a rebellion from occurring.
3.2. Sumerians
3.2.1. Men held political power.
3.2.2. Priests held a high status and initially governed the city states.
3.2.3. As city- states battled for dominance war chiefs began to rule as kings. They served as the gods' chief representative.
3.2.4. In time the kings formed dynasties or a series of rulers from one family.
4. Economy and Trade
4.1. Shang/Zhou
4.1.1. The Zhou dynasty was the first to learn how to use iron in china which lead to a new economy and goods trade material.
4.1.2. There is evidence to support that the Shang dynasty had created one of the first systems of money.
4.1.3. The Shang dynasty had made great advancements in bronze working and that was the main trading material for them.
4.1.4. The Zhou dynasty had introduced a coin currency and had large surpluses of food for trade.
4.2. Sumerians
4.2.1. Obtained many of the materials for their buildings and art through trade.
4.2.2. Traded with people across Southwest Asia exchanging woven textiles for metal,timber, and stone.
4.2.3. Trade made the social hierarchy develop.
4.2.4. Lacked many raw materials such as wood and metal.
5. Science and Technology
5.1. Shang/Zhou
5.1.1. The Shang writing was closely tied to the use of oracle bones and early Shou used pictures to represent objects or ideas.
5.1.2. Shang religion led to great advancement in bronze working and used it to make things for religious puposes.
5.1.3. Zhou learned how to use iron which was the backbone of their economy.
5.1.4. Farmers learned more productive ways of harvesting and created food surpluses.
5.2. Sumerians
5.2.1. Developed a math system based on the number 60.
5.2.2. Learned to use geometry which was needed to build elaborate buildings and irrigation systems.
5.2.3. Invented the wheel which was used for pottery and to build a variety of vehicles.
5.2.4. Invented the plow and learned how to use bronze to make stronger tools and weapons.
6. Religion
6.1. Shang/Zhou
6.1.1. The Shang Dyanasty built many tombs which were homes to people of importance to them. These tombs were filled with the remains of sacrificed prisoners and many valuable items.
6.1.2. Shang Dyanasty focused on the idea of ancestor worship.
6.1.3. Zhou Dyanasty Practiced Daoism which was the belief that people should should obey the laws of nature instead of the laws of common society.
6.1.4. The Zhou embraced the concept of Yin and Yang.
6.2. Sumerians
6.2.1. Some educated women became priestesses.
6.2.2. They believe in polytheism, or that there were many gods.
6.2.3. Believed the gods were like humans they drank, fell in love and married, and fought.
6.2.4. Worked hard to please the gods and built Ziggurats and temples where preists sacrificed food and drink to them.
7. Arts and Education
7.1. Sumerians
7.1.1. Arches, Ramps, Columns that were all visible on the Ziggurats
7.1.2. Cylinder Seals were engraved with detailed designsand were used to sign documents.
7.1.3. They made statues with large wide-open eyes.
7.1.4. They made small objects out of ivory.
7.2. Shang/Zhou
7.2.1. Created a precise calendar based on the cycles of the moon
7.2.2. Used bronze to make some of the best known artifacts of the Shang dynasty and used them mostly for religion.
7.2.3. The Zhou used Iron instead of bronze for their catapults, cavalry items, and artifacts.
7.2.4. Built roads and canals through China and introduced coins.