Ancient China

Do Now

What continent is China a part of?

What is the “subcontinent” of this continent?

SWBAT:

Describe how geography of China as impacted its culture

• China is a country in Asia (East Asia aka Far East)

• Many features isolate China:

- Himalayas - Gobi Desert - Seas

Geography

Geography China’s isolation assisted in the

development of its own unique culture

However, as technology developed, many Asian cultures were influenced by China’s culture Cultural diffusion (Korea & Japan)

Geography China has many important rivers:

- The Huang He AKA Yellow river flooded often destroying crops & villages, resulting in its nickname = “China’s Sorrow”

- The Chang AKA The Yangtze river is China’s longest & most important river, mainly used for transportation

The Huang He river is rich in silt, which is yellow in color

The Yangtze river is the third longest river in the world

Geography

China has a well-known man-made barrier along its northern borders

- The Great Wall was built by subsequent dynasties and meant to protect China from nomadic invasions

Shang Dynasty The Shang

dynasty emerged around 1700 BC, building the first cities & developing a form of writing

Writing The Shang developed

thousands of symbols that stood for ideas, not sounds making it difficult to learn

Only specially trained people learned to read and write

Politics/Government Many palaces & evidence of several kings

exists Shang kings were probably clan leaders

who controlled small areas -Clans: groups of families that claim a common ancestor

Government resembled those of Aryan India & city-states of Sumer

Built walls surrounding cities, just as Sumerians did

Religion and Beliefs Polytheistic Oracle Bones- messages to gods

scratched on turtle shell, exposed to fire, then interpreted based on cracks that form on the shell

Ancestor worship- Chinese would call

on ancestors to bring good fortune to their family

Yin & Yang Universe reflected balance between

two forces, yin & yang Yin: Earth, darkness, & female forces Yang: Heaven, light, & male forces must maintain delicate balance

Social Class Royal Family Noble Aristocrats (land owners) Artisans and Merchants Peasants and slaves

-Most were peasant farmers -lived in farming villages -tough life (work in fields of aristocrats & repairing irrigation system) -required to serve if war broke out

The Dynastic Cycle:

The rise & fall of dynasties

OLD DYNASTY: • Taxes people too

much • Stops protecting

people • Lets roads & walls fall apart • Treats people

unfairly Old dynasty loses

Mandate of Heaven!

PROBLEMS: • Floods & earthquakes

• Peasants revolt • Invaders attack

empire

NEW DYNASTY: • Brings peace • Built roads &

canals • Gives land to

peasants • Protects people

Generations go by & new dynasty becomes……

Wrap Up Why might geographic isolation lead

to ethnocentrism?