New Civilizations in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres

2200-250 B.C.E.

New Civilizations
Early China

Geography and Resources

China is divided into 2 major geographical regions:

Steppe, desert, and high plateau west and northwest Eastern zone which is better for agriculture

Eastern zone is separated into 2 areas: North and South

North includes Yellow River Valley, dry and cold South includes Yangzi Valley, warm with lots of rain

Natural Resources

Timber Stone Metals

Can grow millet in the north Can grow rice in the south Agriculture in these areas required lots of people to be successful

Shang Period

From 1750 1027 B.C.E. Origins in the Yellow River Valley

Later expanded to include territory from Mongolia to Gansu and South to the Yangzi Valley.

Shang Kings

Shang kings ruled directly over core area and exercised indirect rule over peripheral areas. Carried out military campaigns against nomadic enemies Engaged in far-flung commerce that may have included indirect trade with Mesopotamia.

Shang Religion

Kings worship spirits of male ancestors. Practiced divination and sacrifice Presented themselves as intermediaries between gods and human world.

Shang Technology

Bronze for weapons and ceremonial vessels Horse-drawn chariot Water buffalo as draft animal Civil engineering projects

Chinese Writing System

Chinese characters developed during Shang period. Chinese writing system today is directly related to the Shang system. Chief written remains of Shang Dynasty are oracle bones used in divination.

Shang Writing Systems

Zhou Period

From 1027 221 B.C.E. Dependent state of the Shang. Defeated Shang in the eleventh century B.C.E.

Invented concept of Mandate of Heaven in order to justify actions. Western Zhou and Eastern Zhou

Zhou dynasty split into two periods:

Religion and Government

During this period, priestly power of the elite faded This resulted in the separation of religion and government Zhou period saw development of many different and important secular philosophies.

Western Zhou Period Government

From eleventh to ninth centuries B.C.E. Developed model of government that defined kingship in moral terms Zhou exercised direct control over core territory and indirect control over peripheral areas.

Eastern Zhou Period

Decline in strength of the central government Regional elites ruled territories as independent states, often fighting with each other. Eastern Zhou period divided further

Spring and Autumn Period (771-481 B.C.E.) Warring States Period (480-221 B.C.E.)

Eastern Zhou Technology

Constructed long walls for defense Iron and steel metallurgy Horse riding
Development of influential political philosophies

Legalism Confucianism Daoism

Legalism

Assumes that human nature is essentially wicked and selfish. People will only behave if they are ruled by strict laws and harsh punishments. Functioned as the ideological basis of various independent states as they expanded.

Confucianism

Founded by Confucius Assumes that human nature is essentially good Hierarchical view of universe, society, and family Concerned with establishing moral foundations of government Confucius was not influential in his time, but later became dominant political philosophy of imperial China.

Daoism

Founded by Laozi. Assumes that universe is in constant flux There are no absolute moral standards People should take the world as they find it Developed into a complex system of popular and magical beliefs Offered the Chinese alternative between Legalism and Confucianism.

Eastern Zhou Society

Developed three-generation family Developed concept of private property, including privately owned land Women were more firmly subordinated to the patriarchal hierarchy

Position justified by concepts of yin and yang.

New Civilizations
Nubia 3100 B.C.E. 350 C.E.

Nubia

Located in Nile valley from Aswan south to Khartoum Forms a link between tropical Africa and the Mediterranean world. Natural resources included:

Gold, semi-precious stones, copper.

Development of Civilization

Spurred by need for:

Irrigated Agriculture Trade with Egypt

Nubian and Egyptian culture developed through mutual influence and borrowing.

Trade and Occupation

Early Nubia carried out trade with Old Kingdom Egypt Northern part of Nubia was occupied by Egypt during Middle Kingdom period

Kingdom of Kush

Kingdom of Kush developed in southern part of Nubia by 1750 B.C.E. Kush noted from metalworking and construction Egypt invaded Kush during New Kingdom period.

Resulted in Egyptian occupation that exploited Nubian laborers

Kushite Pyramids

Kingdom of Mero

800 B.C.E.-350 C.E. This kingdom ruled Egypt as the 25th Dynasty. Nubian Kingdom had a capital at Napata. Napata period characterized by Egyptian cultural influence. In 4th century, moved capital to Mero.

Better for agriculture and trade

Mero

Ruling dynasty of Mero practiced a matrilineal family system Queens were very influential Dominated trade routes Used reservoirs to catch rainfall Became important center for iron smelting

Decline of Mero

Shift in trade routes Rise of kingdom of Aksum Depredations of camel-riding nomads

First Civilizations of the Americas

The Olmec and Chavin 1200-250 B.C.E.

Mesoamerican Olmecs

1200-400 B.C.E. Most important Mesoamerican preclassic civilization Major centers of civilization were located along the coast of Mexico Political structure built around kingship Power rested on control of commodities and religion

Map of Olmec Territory

A Moving Capital

Center of early civilization was San Lorenzo. Surpassed by La Venta around 900 B.C.E. Gave way to Tres Zapotes around 600 B.C.E. Large earthen mounds dominated urban centers

Olmec Technology

Used raised fields to create agricultural surpluses Olmec architecture was very advanced with so little technology

Simple machines only

Olmec played a role in early development of writing and astronomy

Olmec Sculpture

Chavn

First major urban civilization in South America Politically and economically dominant between 900 and 250 B.C.E. Had military strength and religious appeal Used clan-based system of labor Warfare led to fall of Chavn around 200 B.C.E.

Chavn Art