Organized Government
The Shang Dynasty was the first true civilization of China. They centralized government, built strong cities, and began the Chinese culture. Again, the Huang He River was essential in centralizing government. Without it, there would be no agriculture, which is the fundamental aspect of all ancient civilizations. Once the social classes were intact, the rulers were more set apart from the rest of the people to give that distinction for the reputation and respect of the rulers. Then the government became more centralized and the territory expanded. We know that the capital was changed at least six times, which solidifies the knowledge that substantial growth was made during this time period from Xia China. Success allowed the people of the Shang Dynasty to develop their culture; starting traditions like oracle bone writing and ancestor worship that would stay with China for many years to come.
Military
Writing
King's reliability on Officials/Nobles
Divine right of the King
Decision Making
Warrior Kings emerged as political leaders
Military
- Tang was the first king of the Shang dynasty. He and his supporters and family used their military powers to dominate the region; Tang maintained power because of his personal qualities. Written records of the Shang dynasty credit him with wisdom and justice; these characteristics earned him the loyalty of his people.
- The Shang civilization resembled the feudal system that arose centuries later in Western Europe. A number of small city-states existed along the Huang He and Yangtze rivers. The clan ruler of each city-state owed his loyalty to the emperor; he paid financial tribute and also provided military support when called on. In exchange, the emperor gave the clan ruler absolute power over his own city-state. Within the city-state, the clan ruler protected his people from attack by outsiders in return for their service.
- The loyalty of the clan rulers—in time, many were members of the extended royal family—meant that the Shang king could speedily raise a very large army when necessary. Peasants were required to serve in the military whenever called; the Shang dynasty also commanded an officer corps of young men from the upper social ranks. Peasants served as the infantry, or foot soldiers; the noblemen served as the cavalry, riding horse-drawn chariots and armed with powerful bows. The chariot was the Shang clan’s main military advantage over the other tribes.
- The superior Shang military led Tang’s successor Wu Ding and his queen Fu Hao to victory in a number of military campaigns against various other tribes in the region, notably the Gui and Wei people. Fu Hao actually led troops into combat herself; her tomb is almost the only one of its era that was not looted in antiquity, so all records of her achievements have not been lost.
Writing
- The invention of writing had a profound effect on Shang government and its ability to rule. It increased the government’s ability to organize on a large scale, whether it be to oversee a hierarchical administration; rule the state’s many territories; organize the mining of large quantities of ore for bronzework; wage large military campaigns; construct city walls and palaces; or build elaborate tombs for themselves.
King's reliability on Officials/Nobles
- The Shang Dynasty was a monarchy in which the king was both lawmaker and judge so no-one dared to argue with him. He ruled over his capital and surrounding area with force, and anyone who transgressed the king's laws would be killed immediately by his soldiers. The king would rule the 200 to 300 clans that resided in their territory. Because the Shang dynasty's kingdoms were extensively large, other nobles would rule over certain regions - these roles equate to that of the barons in medieval Europe. Nobles were usually the king's relatives. They were required to pay tribute or give military service to the king. Archaeologists think that when a king died in the Shang Dynasty, his closest relation would take the throne.
Divine right of the King
- King was chosen from "Divine Right"
- King was believed to be a descendant from the Supreme God, Shang Ti
- Believed to rule by the Mandate of Heaven"
- Every decision was made by the King
- The sun and moon guided the King's decisions
Decision Making
- Many decisions were made by the casting of oracle bones
- The King would write a question on an ox bone or tortoise shell
- A bronze pointer was placed on the bone/shell until it cracked.
- The cracks would then be read as yes, no, lucky, or unlucky
Warrior Kings emerged as political leaders
- The decision about who should be king was originally taken by force - whichever clan had the biggest army would rule the civilisation until a clan with a better army came along; in the Shang Dynasty's case, this lasted 550 years.