Shang Dynasty
Date When in Power
Some point between 1750 BC and 1500 BC
Government and Culture
War Chariots and Bronze Weapons
The Shang army used war chariots and bronze weapons to defend against the peoples on the kingdom's borders. Their military was well organized and in the end allowed the Shang to gain territory and spread their culture.
Silkworms
During the Shang Dynasty, the Chinese knew how to raise silkworms. They spun the thread from the silkworms' cocoons and wove silk cloth from the thread.
Religion
Animism
Animism is the belief that spirits inhabit everything. People in the Shang Dynasty believed in a powerful dragon that lived in the seas and rivers. In time, the dragon became the symbol of Chinese rulers.
Chinese Gods
The Chinese worshiped gods of of the wind, sun, clouds, and moon. Some of these gods were honored by festivals.
Language and Writing
Dialects and Written Language
The early Chinese spoke many dialects or variations of their language. The Chinese also developed a written language that could be used for all dialects. This written language was made up of symbols to represent different words and phrases.