Shang Politics
Government Systems
The Shang Dynasty was relatively centralized.
- They had a monopoly on bronze items in order to control the valuable material from being used against them.
- The capital city was where the Emperor administered his orders.
- The Rulers had power over smaller walled towns that were under their juristiction. Nobles in each city would act like advisors to the King.
- Since military positions (soldiers, generals) were only second in nobility, it can be inferred that the King used military power to maintain control at times.
Prominent Emperors
The Shang Dynasty was the first Chinese dynasty that had both documentary and archaelogical evidence. Spanning from 1766 BCE - 1048 BCE, the era was ruled by a bloodline of thirty emperors.
King Tang - The Shang Dynasty's First Emperor
King Tang was a compassionate Emperor. He was known for:
King Zhou - The Shang Dynasty's Last Emperor
All hope was lost for the future of the Shang Dynasty after Zhou took control. He is infamously remembered for:
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Public Works
The government was responsible for many public works and systems.
- Walls around every town, city, the capital, and palaces. Some would reach impressive dimensions of (65 ft thick, 30 ft tall, 4 and a 1/2 miles long).
- Large-scale irrigation projects for agriculture and farming.
- Flood control projects were important to tame the Yellow River.