Xia Dynasty

• The Xia Dynasty (c. 2070-1600 BCE) was the first government to emerge in ancient China and the first to adopt the policy of dynastic succession, making it the first dynasty of China.
• Ancient China produced what has become the oldest extant culture.
• The Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE) was among the most culturally significant dynasties in Chinese history.
• Oracle Bones (also known as Dragon's Bones) were the shoulder blades used in divination during the Shang Dynasty.
• The Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE) was the second dynasty of China.
• The Xia Dynasty was overthrown by the Shang Dynasty (c.1600-1046 BCE), a more historically certain governmental entity, which was in turn overthrown by the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE).
• The argument claiming the Xia Dynasty is a mythological construct claims that the Zhou (and later dynasties) wanted to make clear that the previous ones lost their right to rule through immoral conduct and so created a proto-dynasty - the Xia - as a pre historic model for this.
• Many scholars today still maintain that the Xia Dynasty is a myth but seem to be at a loss to explain why the physical evidence uncovered argues against their claim.
• Those who believe the Xia Dynasty was a reality are at an equal disadvantage in that none of the sites uncovered so far positively identify themselves as belonging to the Xia Dynasty and could as easily be interpreted as early Shang Dynasty buildings.
• According to historians like Sima Qian, there was once a great ruler named Huang-ti (also Huangdi, `emperor') better known as the Yellow Emperor who emerged from the tribal system pre-historic China to rule the region of Shandong between 2697-2597 BCE.
• The Yellow Emperor created Chinese culture and established a form of government which would last for centuries.
• Huang-ti was succeeded by his grandson Zhuanxu, one of the famous Five Emperors, who founded the Xia tribe.
• After defeating their rivals, the Xia established the first dynasty in China under the leadership of the Emperor Yao.
• Yao ordered great palaces to be built and small villages of huts grew into urban centers.
• Yao is considered a great philosopher-king who ruled his people wisely and worked in their best interests following the precepts of Huang-ti.
• Yu the Great, the founder of the Xia Dynasty, is celebrated for his victories over the flood, the Sanmiao, and the establishment of stable government.
• Yu's rule is considered the beginning of the Xia Dynasty.
• The flood was a serious problem during Yao's reign in controlling the flooding of the Yellow River which disrupted agriculture as well as drowning or displacing his people.
• Jie was the last ruler of the Xia Dynasty in China from around 1728 BCE to 1675 BCE.
• The Mandate of Heaven (Tianming), also known as Heaven's Mandate, is a concept in Chinese history.
• The Xia Dynasty ruled in China from around 2070 BCE to 1600 BCE.
• Kong Jia of the Xia Dynasty ruled in China from around 1789 BCE to 1758 BCE.
• The Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) was the first dynasty of Imperial rule in China.
• Yao appointed a man named Gun (revered as a demi-god in many accounts) to take care of this situation.
• Gun either killed himself, was imprisoned by Yu Shun, or exiled himself to the mountains.
• Yu the Great learned from his father's mistakes and enlisted the aid of surrounding tribes to construct canals to lead the water out to sea.
• Yu's project lasted thirteen years, and he never visited his home until it was completed.
• Yu ruled for 45 years and named his son Qi as his successor.
• Yu's dedication inspired those around him, and the waters of the river were contained.
• Yu's rule marked the beginning of the Xia Dynasty and the establishment of a stable central government.
• The Xia Dynasty declined under the rule of Kong Jia, Gao, Fa, and Jie.
• Gun constructed a series of dykes to stop the flooding, but they collapsed, causing further destruction and death.
• Yu led his men against the Sanmiao tribe and drove them from the land.