What happened c. 1150 BCE?

Discuss and write down why, how and what had happened to have caused an end to the Shang Dynasty. Present your findings on your blog. Support your conclusion with evidence (primary or/and secondary sources.)

ANSWER.


The Ch'in

Ancient China had always been a collection of more or less independent states in the north of China. The Shang and the Chou dominated the political landscape as the most powerful of those states, but they did not exercise uniform rule over neighboring regions. When the Chou began to weaken around 500 BC, these independent states began to war among themselves over territory and influence. So chaotic was this period that the Chinese refer to it as The Warring States period, and it did not end until the whole of north China was unified under a single empire, the Ch'in dyansty.

In Chinese history, the Ch'in are the great, evil dynasty, but Western historians often stand in awe of the Ch'in. They were repressive, autocratic, and frequently cruel, but they were also brilliant political theorists and reformers who historically brought about one of the most energetic periods of Chinese government. Their story, however, is a very brief one. For from the time the Ch'in unified China in 221 BC, to the time of their fall fifteen years later in 206 BC, not even a generation had passed. For all that, so massive was their accomplishment that our name for China is derived from the Ch'in.

The Ch'in were a small state in the western reaches of the Wei River. As with all states during the Warring States period, the Ch'in pursued an aggressive policy of territorial expansion. The Ch'in, however, had one great advantage: they had adopted a new style of government based on the principles of the Legalists.

Ultimately based on Confucianism, Legalism held that human beings were fundamentally base and selfish and had to be strictly controlled through laws. These laws were effective only if punishments were severe and certain, so the Ch'in kingdom was frighteningly autocratic. But Legalist philosophy also demanded a strong central government, a strong military, a tightly controlled economy, and the strict regimentation of the citizens of the state.

As a result, the Ch'in kingdom grew powerful and wealthy in a very short time.

Fall of SHANG DYNASTY:
The last Shang king was killed c. 1150 BCE. The dynasty that ruled next was rhe Western Zhou dynasty (1027-771BCE). The Zhou kings had a similar culture to the Shang kings. Thus, the change in dynasty did not resulted in the end of Shang civilisation. Around 771 BCE, a group of people killed the Zhou king and his son had to move to his capital eastward. His dynasty was know as the Eastern Zhou dynasty. (771-221 BCe).

However, fighting between the people continued and the last 232 years of the Eastern Zhou dynasty was known as the Period of Warring Stated. During this period, the Northen part of China was broken up into several competing kingdoms. Finally, in 221 BCE, a prince managed to unite these kingdoms to form the first Chinese Empire under the Qin Dynasty (221- 206 BCE).

Cpoyright: Marshall Canvendish Edu. (The living past) 2nd edition

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