Xia Dynasty Culture
2 min readXia（2200-1750BC）
China’s Dynasty Culture started from the founding of the first dynasty Xia with a remarkable change of the system to succeed the position of the ruler.Before that time，it was done by democratic election（although there was never such a termin ancient China）.Yao，the great leader，passed power to Shun by recognizing his abilities.In turn，Shun gave his position to Yu because of his contribution of leading people to fight the flood.But Yu made his son Qi ruler and began the first dynasty in Chinese history.Some people tell different stories.
According to Records of the Historian（ShiJi），by Sima Qian），Yu passed his position to Yi. Qi killed Yi and usurped the power.So，it was Qi who founded the first dynasty Xia.
Before the Xia，the Chinese society was called“Da Tong” which was a kind of primitive communist society.With the founding the Xia，it is called“Xiao Kang”，as began the private ownership.The royal family owned the whole country.But that was only in name.He was supported by a group of slave owners.
From historical literatures，not much is known about this first Chinese dynasty-in fact，most historians thought that it was a myth.But the archeological record has proven them wrong.Some findings indicate that the Xia had descended froma wide-spread Yellow River valley Neolithic culture known as Longshan culture，was famous for its black-lacquered pottery.Even though no known examples of Xia-era writing survive，they almost certainly had a writing system that was the precursor of oracle bones of the Shang Dynasty.
The Xia was the beginning of the class society-the Slavery.The exploitation and suppression were severe.The last ruler Jie was a cruel tyrant.People hated him to such an extent that they said:“When the Sun-you，the ruler will die.
The story of Yi Yin helping Cheng Tang overthrow the Xia Dynasty.It goes like this：Yi Yin，being a farmer-origin intellectual，is laboring in the field when Cheng Tang，an ambitious general comes to invite him to be his advisor.After several times ofsincere begging，Yi Yin is deeply moved by Cheng Tang’s personality.He leaves his farmhouse and helps Cheng Tang accomplish his cause.
