• What is it?• Where was it found?• Who used it?• What is its purpose?• What does it tell us

about their culture?

Ancient Chinese Dynasties

Chapter 2 Section 4

Today’s Goal: Explain the cycles of dynasties in China and the methods dynasties used to govern.

China vs. the U. S. in China vs. the U. S. in SizeSize

China vs. the U. S. in China vs. the U. S. in SizeSize

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000250Miles0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000250

Miles

China

United States

SOURCE: Topic 5: “The Awakening Giant” by Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Economics & Geography, Hofstra University.

Comparing China & the Comparing China & the U. S.U. S.

Comparing China & the Comparing China & the U. S.U. S.

ChinaChina United StatesUnited States

SizeSize 3.7 million 3.7 million square milessquare miles

3.6 million 3.6 million square milessquare miles

Main physical Main physical barrierbarrier

HimalayasHimalayas RockiesRockies

Main RiverMain River Yangtze / East Yangtze / East - West- West

Mississippi / Mississippi / North – SouthNorth – South

PopulationPopulation East CoastEast Coast East CoastEast Coast

Connectivity Connectivity problemsproblems

North - SouthNorth - South East - WestEast - West

Shang Dynasty

• Family• Social

classes• Religion• Writing

Dynastic Cycle

Zhou Dynasty (1027-221 BC)

• Mandate of Heaven• Feudalism• Accomplishments

– Roads, canals– Production of cast iron– Coined $

• Warring states period

Qin Dynasty

• Shi Huangdi• Legalism• Centralization

– Autocracy

• Great Wall• Terra cotta

soldiers