Rise of China

​Summarizing the use of bronze

Scholars have called the bronzes of the Shang dynasty the pinnacle of creative art in ancient China. Bronze objects created during the early part of the dynasty were primitive, but later Shang artisans created elegant ceremonial bronzes and ornaments as well as a variety of cooking and serving dishes. A three-legged li for cooking was fitted with a bronze zeng, a bowl with a pierced bottom to function as a steamer. Serving bowls were often stemmed, and pouring vessels, such as the gu, had long spouts; these and numerous other vessels were often richly decorated. Bronze weapons, such as spears and battleaxes, helped the Shang army become a formidable power. Some warriors wore bronze helmets and armor. Shang potters made fired-clay sectional molds for casting bronzes. 

Open Ended

What was the origin of bronze usage in the Shang dynasty that led to the use of bronze helmets and armor?

​Shang Dynasty Bronze Art
This image shows a broze zun which was made during the Shang Dynasty.

A crouching tiger and head decorate the elephant's trunk.

The patterns on the include a cloud and thunder design.

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Open Ended

What can you infer about the importance of the artifact based on its ornate design and the complex process of making it?

Dropdown

The King was expected to rule according to the proper way called the ​

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Multiple Choice

This Mandate of Heaven has political side effects such as

• It sets forth a right of revolution to overthrow a corrupt ruler

• It gave rise to foreign invasions.

Dynastic Cycles

Open Ended

Why do you think aging dynasties often stopped providing good government?

Filial Piety

The concept of family in China focused on the idea of filial piety. Filial refers to a son or daughter. Filial piety, then, refers to the duty of members of the family to subordinate their needs and desires to those of the male head of the family. More broadly, the term describes a system in which every family member had his or her place.

Match

Match the following

• Provided for their families and worked the fields.

• Raised the children and worked in the home.

• Warriors. Scholars, and government ministers.

• Influenced politics at court.

Men

Women

Men

Female members of the royal family.

• Men

• Women

• Men

• Female members of the royal family.

Draw

Draw the characters.

Open Ended

Identify three important accomplishments of the Zhou dynasty.