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The Chinese Bronze Age started around 1700 B.C. and the Shang Dynasty was a major part of the Bronze Age.
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The Shang Dynasty began sometime around 1600 B.C. The dynasty was polytheistic, but there was a main belief of animism, the idea that everything has a soul.
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Cheng Tang was the first ruler of the Shang Dynasty, ruling from around 1600 B.C. to 1580 B.C.
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The Shang used mold casting to make the same bronze item over and over again in mass production. They used this to make crossbows and arrows.
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The first writings from China were found on bronzes, tortoiseshells, and ox scapulae and are from around 1400 - 1200 B.C. They used oracle bones to record divination.
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The Shang were the first in China to use the Chariot in warfare.
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Wu Ding is the earliest ruler of the Chinese Dynasties who is confirmed by records. His rule was the golden age for the Shang Dynasty. He strengthened centralized power by controlling sacrificial ceremonies, promoted talented people from all backgrounds, and got rid of the privileges of noble members.
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Di Xin was the last ruler of the Shang. He committed suicide after the rebel Zhou state defeated the Shang in the Battle of Muye.
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The Battle of Muye took place between the rebel Zhou state and the Shang Dynasty. The Zhou won, and this marked the end of the Shang Dynasty and the beginning of the Zhou Dynasty.
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The Zhou Dynasty began in 1046 after they took over from the Shang. The Western Zhou began to rule.
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The Zhou used the Mandate of Heaven to justify their overthrowing of the Shang Dynasty. The Mandate of Heaven is the idea that a dynasty had a divine right to rule that was given to him by Heaven or the Gods through signs.
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King Wu was the first leader of the Zhou Dynasty after he took over from Di Xin of the Shang Dynasty.
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The King of Zhou was driven out of his capital, Haojing, due to an uprising from the former vassals. The capital was then destroyed and the capital was moved east to Luoyang.
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After the Eastern Zhou took over in 771 B.C., the dynasty's power decentralized, and regional lords began fighting for power. The people were always at war, and the monarchy lost power.
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The Zhou invented the crossbow sometime in the 7th Century, and they were used in the Warring States Period.
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Seven main states emerge out of the Spring and Autumn Period: Qin, Jin, Chu, Zhao, Wei, Han, and Qi.
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The Warring States period lasted three centuries in which 7 warring states fought for territory and power.
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Laozi writes the Tao Te Ching, which is the root of Daoism.
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The Qin Dynasty began in 221 B.C. when they won the warring states period. They followed Confucius' principles.
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Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified the writing systems of China through characters.
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Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified the measurement systems of China, including lengths, volumes, and weights.
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Emperor Qin Shi Huang was the first ruler of the Qin Dynasty.
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Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the beginning of the construction of the Great Wall of China in an effort to prevent invasions from barbarian nomads.
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Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of a Terracotta Army to protect him in the afterlife.
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There was a revolt in the Qin Dynasty which caused its downfall.
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Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified the currency of China with the use of Ban Liang.
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Emperor Hu Hai was the son of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and was the second and last emperor of the Qin Dynasty.
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The Qin Dynasty ended as a result of the rebellion against the new emperor. A warlord by the name of Xiang Lu defeated the Qin and split the empire into 18 states before the Han Dynasty took over.
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After the Qin were defeated by Xiang Lu, Xiang Lu and Liu Bang fought for the throne. Liu Bang won and started the Han Dynasty.
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Emperor Gaozu, or Liu Bang, was the first ruler of the Han Dynasty. He defeated his rival Xiang Yu in a four-year war and became emperor.
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Emperor Wu's declared Confucianism the state philosophy over Legalism.
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Emperor Wu accomplished many things for the Han, including expanding the empire, opening the Silk Road, and making Confucianism the state philosophy instead of Legalism.
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Opened by Emperor Wu for trade between the Western World including the Roman Empire and China.
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Paper was invented by Cai Lun, the director of the Imperial Workshops.
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The scientist Chang Heng invented the first seismoscope.
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Emperor Xiandi was the last emperor of the Ha Dynasty.
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The Han Dynasty ended when the Chinese warlord and statesmen Cao Cao forced Emperor Xiandi to abdicate.