The Shang Dynasty

The Shang Dynasty was a monarchy, in which the king was a judge and a lawmaker. Other nobles would keep watch of certain regions The Shang, believed in religion, they believed that there ancestors lived in the spirit world. They often worshiped them and made sacrifices in hopes of being guided by them.

The Shang Dynasty

The Shang Dynasty used calenders, to mark there kings birthdays and it was believed that they used the Zodiac calender. Although it is not evident that they invented it. The Shang, did invent a very sophisticated writing system with about 5,000 pictograms that evolved into ideograms.

The Shang advanced alot, when trade was happening. They traded along a very popular route, known as the Silk Road. This road went throughout Europe and Asia. Bronze, salt, sugar, porcelain, silk and spices were often traded along this route. The Shangs economy boosted alot after they started trade.

The Shang were constantly in war, so they used the Chariot as one of the major tools. Bronze was also very popular, it was used for weapons, instruments, and ceramic vessels.

1600 to 1050 BCE

•Most of the writing from the Shang dynasty was inscriptions carved into animal bones, turtle shells, and bronze vessels.•The Shang people believed in human sacrifice.•Many people that fought in wars were peasants forced to leave their fields to walk alongside chariots.•The kingship went from brother to brother or brother to nephew instead of father to son like most cultures do.

There were 3 major classes: slaves, commoners and nobles. Commoners did most of the specialized jobs. The majority of commoners were still farmers, but there were also potters, sculptors, metal workers, soldiers and more.

Specialized Workers

Complex Institutions

Advanced Cities

Record Keeping

Advanced Technology

Fun Facts:

Feudalism: the system of political organiztion in which a "lord" owned all the land while vassals and serfs farmed it.Dynastic Cycle: Every dynasty goes thrugh a culture cycle, the rise and falls of dynastiesMandate of heaven: Belief that god granted emperors the right to rule based on their ability to govern well and fairly

Some words to know: