History of China (Shang Dynasty)

 [Award (,, B.C.1600 to B.C.1046)]

- The Shang Dynasty (or country), which began to grow into a powerful country based on the developed Bronze Age civilization.

The Sangjok lived in the lower part of the Yellow River and was a village with a long history, and was a branch of the Dongi tribe with Hyeonjo as a totem. At the end of the Ha Dynasty, the upper-class forces developed from the downstream of the Yellow River and climbed to the middle stream to penetrate the ruling area of the Ha Dynasty. In addition, a powerful tribal federation was established to begin the transition to a slave system.

In 1600 BC, Seongtang destroyed the Ha Dynasty and established the Sang Dynasty.

After the establishment of the Sang Dynasty, Seongtang paid attention to the development of agricultural production while implementing the "policy to govern the people as generosity" with the lessons of the collapse of the Ha Dynasty in mind. At the same time, by conquering the surrounding regions and expanding the territory to the western rivers and low regions, the rule of the Sang Dynasty was gradually solidified.

However, in the late years of the Sang Dynasty, especially during the reign of King Zhou, harsh punishment such as "Porakjibeop" (a punishment to walk on a hot frame made of copper called Porak), and the recklessness of the people. Thus, in 1046 B.C., King Wu of the Zhou Dynasty punished King Zhou, and the Sang Dynasty, which had existed for 550 years, was destroyed as the 17th and 30th kings (not including Taejeong, the eldest son of Tang).

The Shang Dynasty was at an important stage of development in Chinese slave society. In particular, the discovery of Gapgol letters provides valuable data for studying the history of the Sang Dynasty. At the same time, the brilliant bronze manufacturing technology and culture of the Sang Dynasty laid the foundation for ancient Chinese culture.