THE SHANG DYNASTY

INTRODUCTION

Shang Dynasty ruled China from 1766 BC to 1050 BC, which is 716 years. Shang Dynasty consisted of 31 kings and another 7 established capitals. The first king was named Tang, and he was the one to overthrow Xia Dynasty. Shang Dynasty's civilization was based on agriculture and animal hunting.

Above: The sector of land Shang Dynasty ruled in China.

TECHNOLOGY/ECONOMY

The most important technological developments in Shang Dynasty were the invention of writings. They are the first group of people from China to have written records. The most common place these writings are found is on oracle bones, bronzes, silk, and stone. The bones were from body parts of animals, such as the turtle's shell; however, the majority of the records were recorded on bamboo strips.
Bronze and pottery also advanced in Shang culture; however; bronzes are also made into weapons for war. The Shang astronomers discovered Mars and various comets, which lead to more information about space. Many musical instruments were also invented during this dynasty.
The Shang Dynasty has great development in art. They improvised medicine, transportation, and handcrafts. Many precious stones were found and crafted in to beautiful structures, such as palace and temples.


Above: Bamboo Stripes with recorded events.

SOCIAL CHANGES

The emperors that ruled Shang Dynasty were superstitious, because they would always ask their court diviner to predict the results of their decisions. The diviner would then put an ox bone or a tortoise shell in the fire until cracks appears; the cracks in the bone or shell would then predict the results whether being positive or negative.
Slaves during Shang Dynasty were very worthless and had no rank in society. They were captured in battles and were forced to do housework for their masters. They were sometimes killed as sacrifices to the gods and their masters' ancestor, and sometimes even buried alive to accompany their master's corpse.


Above: Oracle Bone.

GOVERNMENT

The king of Shang Dynasty was both a lawmaker and a judge, so no other's dared to question him or even argue with him. The king has control over thousands of soldiers and could appoint soldiers to do anything he wants. The king is basically the one who had the biggest army and could eventually control others until another clan with bigger army comes along. Shang Dynasty ruled over China for 550 years. If however the king dies in any means; his closest relative would then take over the thrown.
Shang Tang was the first emperor of Shang Dynasty. He treated his citizens and soldiers with kindness and affection; this lead to power! He was the one who fought against Xia Dynasty, and was eventually the one to overthrow Xia Dynasty. Shang Dynasty then lasted for 550 years.


Above: Shang Tang, the first emperor of Shang Dynasty.

RELIGION/PHILOSOPHY

People during the Shang Dynasty worshipped a figure they called "Shang Ti" or sometimes called the "Lord of High." Shang Ti ruled of other gods of nature, such as god of sun, wind, rain, and moon. People of Shang also believed that their ancestors that were dead would dwelled in heaven and watch over the kingdom. If a duty given by the ancestors were not accomplished or result in failure, then their kingdom would soon meet all sorts of natural disasters.
People of Shang needs to sacrifice hundreds of people during a funeral of their king to demonstrate respect; the hundreds of people were usually slaves and prisoners of war.


Above: Shang Ti, the God that people of Shang worshipped.

LEADERS/CONTEMPORARIES

King Di Xin

King Di Xin is famous because Shang Dynasty was ended in his hands. He spent his late years with alcohol and women. He lost his moral beliefs and ignored almost all affairs within his kingdom. Di Xin killed any one who attempted to change him or persuade him to change; he ended up ripping out his uncle's heart and imprisoning family members. His stubbornness resulted in the end of Shang Dynasty; Di Xin burned his own palace and committed suicide when Zhou soldiers roamed in to his palace.

Above: Di Xin, the last emperor of Shang Dynasty.

Emperor Shang Tang

Emperor Shang Tang established his palace in Hao after the successful rebellion against the Xia dynasty. He was famous for being the first emperor of Shang Dynasty, and was also known as the most respected king. He reign over Shang Dynasty from 1617 BC to 1588 BC; a total of 29 years. Shang Tang lowered the conscription rate of the soldiers and taxes to shows his love to his people. He successfully glorified Shang Dynasty and pasted his thrown down to his young generations.


Above: Shang Tang who ruled Shang Dynasty for 29 years.

Johannes Kepler

Johannes Kepler was born on December 27, 1571. He was a German Lutheran mathematician, astronomer, and also an astrologer. He was best known for his laws of planetary motion, because he found out that orbit paths of the planets could be represented mathematically as an ellipse. He also provided foundations to Newton's theory of universal gravitation.


Above: Johannes Kepler, a German astronomer.

Leonhard Euler

Leonhard Euler was born on April 15, 1707. He was a Swiss mathematician. He was best known of his math equation and formulas, because his contribution gave us access to hard questions and complicated resolutions. He was considered to be one of the greatest mathematicians of 18th century.


Above: Leonhard Euler, a Swiss mathematician.

OTHERS
Timeline
1770 Bc: Beginning of Shang Dynasty, discovery of oracle bones and bronzes.
1380 Bc: Improvised writing and art development.
1030 Bc: End of Shang Dynasty; beginning of Chou Dynasty.

Summarize Main Points

• Shang Dynasty began in 1766 BC.
• Advanced medicine, transportation, and handcrafts.
• Usage of different shells to predict outcome of a decision.
• The emperor is a lawmaker and a judge; he controls everyone.
• Paying respect to an emperor is burying him with hundreds of other humans.
• Shang Tang was the first emperor of Shang Dynasty; Di Xin was the last emperor of Shang Dynasty.
• Shang Dynasty lasted over 550 years.

Bibliography

1. http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/ancient_china/shang.html
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shang_Dynasty#Sovereigns_of_the_Shang_Dynasty
3. http://www.pasadena.edu/chinese/cultural/anicent.html
4. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1304966
5. http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ANCCHINA/SHANG.HTM