East Asia by Ale Estrada

Shang Dynasty Pictograms

alessandra_estr — 2014-11-15 16:58:43 UTC

During the Shang Dynasty (1500 - 1900 BC) pictograms were concerned with warfare, rainfall, the success of agriculture, and the health and well-being of the royal family. Many pictograms depicted sacrificial rituals to appease the chinese ancestors and gods. These were written on oracle bones.

This shows that the people of the Shang Dynasty not only showed respect for the royal family, but that sacrifices were being made for their success and well being.

Scarre, Chris. The Human Past. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd, 2013.

Image: http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/mulu/b004.jpg

The Fall of the Shang Dynasty

alessandra_estr — 2014-11-15 17:07:40 UTC

The end of the Shang Dynasty (1045 BC) was the beginning of a new well-balanced government.

When the king of Zhou sent warriors and chariots to conquer Shang, he overthrew Di Xin, the king who has been called a "worthless tyrant". Di Xin began to take satisfaction in harm others due to encouragement by his consort Dan Ji.

Cotterell, Arthur. Asia: A Concise History. Singapore: John Wiley & Sons, 2011. Accessed November 15, 2014. http://reader.eblib.com.offcampus.lib.washington.edu/(S(1wlrfhaon511diulqt51jgbj))/Reader.aspx?p=693332&o=1338&u=0tb5Ba6LXPY%3d&t=1416078212&h=2C75B44AC17B84F39EB79040A448C7B6677B498A&s=30916238&ut=4509&pg=1&r=img&c=460&pat=n&cms=2&sd=2#

Scarre, Chris. The Human Past. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd, 2013.

Image: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/FengShen.jpg

Adopted Shang Practices

alessandra_estr — 2014-11-15 17:21:58 UTC

During the Western Zhou Dynasty (1045 - 771 BC), it was discovered by archaeologists that many practices (ritual and mortuary) were being adopted from the Shang.

This is an important cultural development as it shows a that a similar ideology endured through the overthrowing of Shang, and the uprising of Western Zhou.

Scarre, Chris. The Human Past. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd, 2013.

Image: http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/b/bronze_gui_ritual_food_vessel.aspx

Origins of Confucianism

alessandra_estr — 2014-11-15 17:31:29 UTC

Sometime between 551 - 479 BC, began the popular philosophy of Confucianism. Kong Qiu was the most influential political philosopher.

Confucianism directly impacted China's education systems. These influences are still felt today by modern society.

Cartwright, Mark. “Confucius,” Accessed November 15, 2014. http://www.ancient.eu/Confucius/

Scarre, Chris. TheHuman Past. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd, 2013.

Image: http://www.biography.com/people/confucius-9254926#synopsis

The Warring States

alessandra_estr — 2014-11-15 17:38:55 UTC

The Eastern Zhou divided into Spring and Autumn Annals (770 - 481 BC), and then into Warring States (481 - 221 BC). These states were Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao, Wei, and Qin.

During the time of the Warring States, the military had been influenced greatly and had enhanced military strategies. "Wars of increasing intensity led to the annihilation of states and their ruling houses" (Scarre). Caused by a increase in the use of metallurgy, new weapons and armor were being made by pouring molten iron into molds.

The undefeatable rise of power of Qin, essentially brought about a sense of competition. It encouraged "art, architecture, industry, and warfare" (Scarre). With this new cities began to spring up, and older cities began to have new purposes, such as trade.

Scarre, Chris. The Human Past. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd, 2013.

China's First Emperor

alessandra_estr — 2014-11-15 17:59:57 UTC

In 221 BC, the Qin Dynasty arose. Qin Shi Huangdi, which means august emperor of Qin (pronounced Chin), became the first emperor of China. In his reign he created 36 new provinces. These provinces were then divided into counties, which each had a military ranked governor appointed to them.

In addition to this, Qin Shi Huangdi also ordered applied uniformity, as a means to strengthen his power. This uniformity applied to a new writing system, currencies, weights and measures, and the gauge of wheeled vehicles.

This is important culturally because this would be the type of government ruling that would be a model for future political organizations.

Scarre, Chris. The Human Past. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd, 2013.

Image: http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/warringstates.htm

Fortifications on the Great Wall of China

alessandra_estr — 2014-11-15 18:11:02 UTC

Shortly after his rise to power in 221 BC, Qin Shi Huangdi ordered men to join the already existing walls of the Great Wall of China. Extending about 13,000 miles, the Great Wall of China created protection to the people of Qin Dynasty from those of the north.

Soldiers, convicts, and commoners were brought together to work on the Great Wall of China. Over 400,000 workers died building the wall and many are said to have been buried in the wall itself.

Scarre, Chris. The Human Past. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd, 2013.

“Great Wall of China,” Accessed November 15, 2014. http://www.history.com/topics/great-wall-of-china

Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Wall_of_China#mediaviewer/File:20090529_Great_Wall_8185.jpg

Emperor Wudi's Changes to Religion

alessandra_estr — 2014-11-15 18:17:23 UTC

Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220), expanded "official deities to include new gods and goddesses, including those known as the Earth Queen and the Grand Unity" (Scarre). This changed many rituals amongst the community. Animal sacrifices and burnt offerings began to worship and appease the newly added gods and goddesses.

Many of their religious beliefs are clearly linked with the mortuary practices of the Han. One of these beliefs in immortality. A great deal of labor was invested in the tombs of the Han emperors to ensure that all of their needs would be met in their afterlife (Scarre).

Scarre, Chris. The Human Past. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd, 2013.

The First Dynasty of China

alessandra_estr — 2014-11-15 18:25:39 UTC

The Xia Dynasty (1700 - 1500 BC), is considered by many to be the first Dynasty in China. There are many archaeological sites that are clearly elite centers. The site of Erlitou covers 741 acres of land and has evidence of at least four "occupation phases" (Scarre). The first two show evidence of the Longshan culture. The third and fourth show changes seen in "elite burials, ritual bronze vessels, and the presence of two palaces" (Scarre).

The Xia Dynasty would be the beginning to a long history in china, it marked the beginning of a new type of government that would preside for many years to come.

Scarre, Chris. The Human Past. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd, 2013.

Image: http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk/XDB/tours/china11.asp

The Rise of Complex Socieities

alessandra_estr — 2014-11-15 18:45:38 UTC

The Liangzhu Culture (3300 - 2250 BC) and the Hongshan Culture (4700 - 2900 BC), were some of the first known complex societies. These societies show evidence of craft specialties, such as woven silk, ceramic vessels, and jade. They also showed evidence of mortuary rituals, such as placing grave goods within the burial. These goods included items such as cong cylinders, jade items, and animal masks.

These rituals manifest once again in Shang and Zhou art. This suggest that "a lengthy development of similar rituals was emergent long before thee establishment of early states" (Scarre).

Scarre, Chris. The Human Past. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd, 2013.

Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liangzhu_culture

Fair Use Statement

alessandra_estr — 2014-11-15 19:11:42 UTC

This timeline was created for a Cascadia Community College Assignement.

The following statement applies to all entries within this timeline:

"…the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright.

“Copyright Fair Use and How It Works for Online Images.” Social Media Examiner. http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/copyright-fair-use-and-how-it-works-for-online-images/ (Links to an external site.) (accessed Nov. 15, 2014).