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2200 BCE - 1766 BCE

Canals and irrigation introduced. capital might've been Erlitou, near Luoyang. Large palace-type structures, modest houses, pottery workshops, bronze foundry. Made one of the first efforts to organize public life in China on a large scale. Roughly same region as Yangshao society. Established precedent for hereditary monoarchical rule in China. Founded by sage-king Yu. Lost power to Shang dynasty gradually (no fall). No political information--probably controlled leaders of individual villages. Encouraged founding cities and development of metallurgy.

Huang He

Boisterous and unpredictable. Rises in the mountained bordering high plateau of Tibet. Courses 2920 mi. empties into Yellow Sea. Loess (powder-like material--came after glaciers melted)-filled. Turned yellow. "China's sorrow" Altered course many times and caused destruction. Like soup.

Shang dynasty

1766-1122 BCE. Arose in a region to the south and east of Xia realm. Left written records and material remains. Monopolized production of bronze in the Yellow River valley by controlling access to copper and tin ores and employing craftsmen to produce large quantities of bronze axes, spears, knives, and arrowheads for own use. Extended rule to large portion of northeastern China (modern day Henan). Powerful army. Capital moved six times during reign. Ao (an early capital) - city wall. Yin (last 2-3 century capital) - complex of royal palaces, archives. 11 large tombs for kings (like Egyptians, sacrificed lives of people to "serve" the king in the next life).

Zhou dynasty

Capital Hao (modern Xi'an). Wei river valley of northwestern China (modern Shaanxi province). Tough sinewy people. Battled Shangs in east and nomadic raiders in the west (at the steppes). Eventually allied with Shangs and won recognition as kings of western regions. More organized allies than Shang--gradually overshadowed. Last Shang king not respectable--many switched loyalty over to Zhou. After trying to discipline the Shang king, conquered in 1122 BCE (-256 BCE). Allowed Shang heirs to stick around. Much larger than Shang. Could not rule under one central court. Arranged marriages to get closer to political allies. Subordinates eventually lost loyalty and set up own system. Could not monopolize iron production. 771 BCE, invaded by nomads. Subordinates refused to help. Lost Hao and moved to Luoyang (capital until the end of dynasty).

Period of the Warring States

403-221 BCE. Violent last centuries of Zhou dynasty. Subordinates fighting to create new political order.

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1. They were early heroes of society. Laid the foundations of Chinese society. Although their acts are exaggerated, it promoted the values of social harmony and selfless, dedicated work that they represented.

2. Loess soil is fertile and easy to work. Most years had enough rainfall for crops, so there was no need to build irrigation systems.

3. It suggested that the kings were the "sons of heaven" and that a good ruler would harmonize the earth and the heavens would approve and the world will continue to thrive. Under a bad ruler, chaos and suffering would erupt and the ruler would be rejected.

4. The area was too big and when they spread the power, it was too dispersed, and each subordinate began to "think on their own." They eventually stopped listening to the central court, and each attempted to establish their own political order.