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FOUNDING OF THE DYNASTY
- Founded between 1750 and 1500 B.C .
- Invaders entered the Huang He valley in war chariots and conquered the area
-This was the first ever Chinese dynasty

POWER
-The 40,000 square mile area that the Shang inhabited was dictated under a complex bureaucracy where the king owned all land
-They built a strong economy based on agricultural success
-Shang had a strong military force relying on war chariots and bronze weapons for control

ACHIEVEMENTS
-Shang developed an original Chinese writing system, including calligraphy
-They created two calendars, based on the sun and moon, from which they made all of their decisions
- Their religion combined animism with ancestor worship, and often included human sacrifice to their dieties

COLLAPSE
-The dynasty collapsed in 1122 B.C.
-The Shang king had exhausted the kingdom in wars against nomads in the east and north
-The northwest was unguarded, which made it easier for the Zhou to begin a rebellion and conquer their land

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FOUNDING OF THIS DYNASTY
-It was founded in the 1100's B.C. and lasted until 200's B.C.
-Zhou was established in the city of Xian
-Rulers were called Sons of Heaven, and were believed to be chosen directly from gods, who were known as the Mandate of Heaven

EXPANSION/ACHIEVEMENTS
-They expanded trade and began to use copper coins
-Citizens used iron tools for agriculture and developed plows pulled by oxen
-They build canals, dikes, and reservoirs which helped expand and grow the population

GOVERNMENT
-Zhou had no centralized form of government
-They had a system of justice for citizens, though it was very basic
-Officials had to renew a pledge to monarchy by generation

DECLINE & COLLAPSE
-Zhou began losing control by 800's B.C.
-As quality of leadership declined, local rulers fought among themselves while foreigners conducted raids through the whole city
-In 771 B.C. an invading force ransacked the capital and the Zhou fled
-They became known as Eastern Zhou and lasted 500 more years
-Eventually the Warring States became more prominent and Zhou lost all power

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FOUNDING THE DYNASTY
-Founded in 221 B.C. through military force
-Founded by Shi Huangdi, who's name means "first emperor"

GOVERNMENT
-Qin conquered central China and divided it into military districts
-Had a strong central government
-Created a law system called the Code of Qin to control citizens
-Ruled under an autocracy, with the emperor holding full power
- Suppressed scholars that questioned their regime, and executed them as well as banning and burning books

ACHIEVEMENTS
-Unified China
-Developed agriculture on a massive scale
- Used standard weights, measures, and coinage
- Began building a wall that eventually became the Great Wall of China
-They built an army of half a million warriors, and conquered 2/3 of their enemy population

DECLINE/COLLAPSE
- A gap formed between the emperor and his citizens
- He employed forced labor, which the citizens resented
- A revolt began in 206 B.C.
-The government was overthrown in 202 B.C. by Liu Bang, a commoner who rose to general and founded the Han Dynasty

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FOUNDING THE DYNASTY
-Qin was overthrown in 202 B.C., paving the way for the Han society
- Liu Bang named the dynasty and ruled as king
- The dynasty was centralized and expanding but less oppressive than others
- Han maintained power for four centuries
-Even today, Chinese citizens are referred to as Sons Of Han

ACHIEVEMENTS
-Extended territory greatly
- Created a civil service system
- Created an imperial university to train men for government service
-Began leveling, an economic policy used to level the effects of surplus and shortages
- Established Pax Sinica "Chinese Peace" through conquering in battle
- Silk and jade trade prospered, allowing citizens to return with foreign delicacies like wool, gold, and silver
-Created paper, one of the most impactful inventions in history

COLLAPSE
- Wu Di was the last Chinese emperor and was deposed in 220 A.D.
- Nomads ravished the country until 589 A.D.