Shang Dynasty is the second dynasty in the history of China, and it is also the first dynasty with written records. From the late summer of Shang Tang to the subjugation of Di Xin in Shang Zhouwang, the Shang Dynasty experienced 554 years, from 1600 BC to 1046 BC. Shang Dynasty is divided into two periods, the early Shang Dynasty and the late Shang Dynasty, with Pan Geng as the dividing line.

Characteristics of commercial regime

(1) The system of internal and external service: internal service is the activity area of the merchant's own family, and external service is a subordinate country outside the merchant's family. It can be seen that Shang Dynasty was an alliance of vassal states centered on Shang tribes. Shang Zhouwang controls the actual power of the alliance and forms a dominant and dominated relationship with its subordinate countries.

(2) The relationship between the central government and the vassal States is relatively loose: the Shang king has limited control over the vassal States participating in the alliance. Each subordinate country basically maintains its original social structure, and besides its obligations to commerce, it also has great autonomy. Some affiliated countries often have wars with enterprises.

(3) Full of theocracy: Shang Dynasty is a dynasty full of theocracy. The king must read divination every day, and when something happens, he must also read divination. The Oracle Bone Inscriptions we see now is used by the king for divination. Shang kings consolidated their kingship by monopolizing theocracy.