Shang Dynasty

Run through on China's Shang Dynasty

1. Shang Dynasty
1600 to 1050 BCE

3. General Information
•Marked the middle of China’s Bronze Age
•The first dynasty to have left written
records and solid archaeological evidence
of its existence
•Birthplace or cradle of Chinese civilization

4. General Information
•Its founder is Cheng Tang
•Monarchy
•Has different capital
cities
•Shang (first and an
ancestral capital)
•Yin (last and a
political capital)

5. Rise and Population
•Originally a tribe living in the lower regions
of yellow river under Xia Dynasty
•Established by King Tang in 1675 BC
•13.5 million people

7. Emperors
Names -----------
Years
In
Power
(1) Tang
- Abolished Persecution and Oppression
- Society was stable and the people lived happy
lives during his reign.
30
(9) Tai Wu
-The dynasty was most prosperous in his reign
- Great crop harvests 75
(19) Pan Geng
-Moved capital of Shang Dynasty to Yin
-Oracle bones unearthed alternatively record
that he was the 18
th
king
28
(22) Wu Ding
- Enlarged domain through war
- Social productivity developed (textile,
medicine, astronomy)
59
(30) Zhou
-Acted atrociously toward his people
-Doted on his imperial concubine, Daji.
-Defeated by the tribe of Zhou.
33

8. Religion and culture
•Practiced polytheism (Shang Di = High
God)
•Civilization was based on agriculture,
hunting and animal husbandry
•Enjoyed the most advanced bronze
civilization in the world

9. The End of the Shang
•1050 BCE
•Conquerors from the state of Zhou

10. Contributions
•The Invention of Writing
-Oracle bone inscriptions
-Bronze objects
•A Stratified Government and Society
-Hierarchy

11. Oracle Bones
•Marked the beginning of written Chinese
history
•Used to make predictions about the future

13. • Bronze Technology
-Weapons
-Ceremonial vessels for food or wine
-Bronze was not used for common tools,
such as hammers or hoes.
-Piece-mold casting

14. •The Use of Chariot and Bronze
Weapons in Warfare
-Bronze-tipped halberd and spear
-Compound bow
-Horse-drawn chariots

16. References
•http://www.chinese-traditions-and-
culture.com/shang-dynasty.html
•http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/chinady
nasties/p/032509ShangDynst.htm
•http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/hist
ory/shang/

17. END