The Shang Dynasty began around 1600 B.C.

Dynasties are rulers from the same family line over many years

The Shang Dynasty established many cultural behaviors and beliefs

The Shang had an ordered society

The king was at the top of the class system, warlords came next

Farmers were at the bottom of this class system

The Shang Dynasty began a system of writing that used about 3,000 characters

Archaeologists found this writing on oracle bones (animal bones used by the Shang to consult the gods)

Shang priests carved questions on these bones and heated them

The cracks on the heated bones revealed the gods' answers

The Shang Dynasty weakened and around 1045 B.C. the Zhou overthrew the Shang

The Zhou Dynasty ruled the longest (about 800 years)

The Zhou started the classical period (great social and cultural advances)

This dynasty copied many of the Shang's practices

The Zhou developed the Mandate of Heaven (kings could rule as long as the gods allowed)

The Zhou produced a strong central government

Later, the Zhou divided lands among local lords

When the lords became too powerful, they fought and began the Warring States (constant war)

Eventually, the last Zhou king was overthrown