Robert Buchanan 3-4-13

Government- King Tang of Shang overthrew the Xia king after 11 battles. He ruled for 17 years. During his reign, he banned dancing and singing to help end a 5 year drought. Kings that followed gave power to family members to help rule the vast kingdom and control other family clans from attacking. Often, Shang leaders would enslave or sacrifice their enemies. Walled cities began during this time (30ft tall/65ft deep/5mi. long) to protect the nobles (Rulers, Priests, Warriors). Religion- Human sacrifices were a part of Shang burials (Evidence found in Anyang). Servants would be sacrificed with the king to help serve him in the afterlife. Bronze vessels with food, weapons, carved jade ornaments, pottery, stone sculptures, and chariots were also found in the tombs. Shang Di was the supreme god, however, most religious practices focused on Ancestor Worship (honoring ancestors) by leaving food or wine. Also, Oracle bones made from turtle shells were used to communicate with their dead ancestors.

Society- Below the king and his family, there were 5 main classes. 1. Nobles- who helped to fight and finance the kings army. In return, they were given land, jade, and freedom from government interference. 2. Craftspeople- who worked with bronze, jade, clay, and stone. Metal Use work was most valued because they made the weapons for Shangs army. 3. Traders- who exchanged goods or bartered extensively. Cowrie shells were also used in trade as money. 4. Farmers- the largest class who grew rice, wheat, barley, millet, fruit, vegetables, and nuts. 5. Slaves- who were often captured in wars and did the work of their masters

Invention and Innovation- Oracle bones contained the earliest forms of Chinese pictographic writing. Eventually, people began writing logographs, which were characters that represented a word. Written language was the same throughout China; spoken language was different. The Chinese also learned that combining copper and tin, they could create bronze. This metal was used for weapons and armor, helping the Shang maintain power for over 500 years. Bronze was also used for ceremonial vessels and household items like pots.

Robert Buchanan 3-4-13

previous page and this website http://www.ushistory.org/civ/9b.asp Write complete sentences with specific details from the texts and explanations. DO NOT PLAGARIZE. PARAPHRASE USING YOUR OWN VOCABULARY. Be thorough in your answers. Input Charts are the primary source for Unit Exams (30% HISTORY category). You are designing your study guide. PROMPT 1.) In the above section entitled Religion, why were human sacrifices used in burials? 2.) In the above section entitled Government, characterize King Tangs rule. 3.) In the above section entitled Society, describe the various classes within the Shang Dynastys social structure. 4.) In the above section entitled Invention and Innovation, detail the changes in written language in the Shang Dynasty. 5.) On the website in the opening section, why does the Shang Dynasty signal the advent of the Bronze Age? 6.) On the website under the subheading Them Bones, how and why did priests use the oracle bones? 7.) On the website under the subheading Shang Society, how did the society combat flooding of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers? 8.) On the website under the subheading Beginning to Believe, describe the various religions preferences during the Shang Dynasty YOUR ANSWER Human sacrifices were used to serve people in the afterlife, and they were a part of Shang religion. King Tang overthrew Xia king in 11 battles, and served as king for 17 years. He banned dancing and singing to end a 5 five-year drought. The various classes within the Shang Dynastys social structure are King, noble, craftspeople, traders, farmers, and slaves. Changes in written language are that eventually people started to use logographs, which are pictures representing a word. The advent that signaled the Bronze Age was thousands of artifacts from the Yin ruins were unearthed in the 1930s and 20s. Also bronze chariots, axes, and drinking vessels were used. Tombs also contained a fair amount of bronze. Oracle bones were used to tell questions of the future. Also, oracle bones were used to write down the history of the dynasty. The Shang dynasty developed complex forms of irrigation and flood control. The Shang worshipped Shang Hi. Prayers, rituals, and human sacrifices were used to please Shang Hi.

Robert Buchanan 3-4-13