BELLWORK1. Who were the Harappans?

2. What led to the decline of the Harappans?

3. Describe three achievements made by the Aryans.

4. Explain the varnas of the Caste System.

5. How could one move up to a different level of the Caste System?

6. THINKER: Even today the Caste System still exists in parts of India. In your opinion, why is it so difficult to change this social hierarchy?

Chinese Civilizations• Ancient China was ruled by two dynasties:

– Shang dynasty: 1700BC – 1000BC – Zhou dynasty: 1000BC – 200BC

• You are now going to read about the achievements made by both Chinese dynasties.

• Read pgs. 49-50 and in your notes, write at least four important facts for each dynasty.

• Be ready to discuss!

Shang Dynasty• 1700BC – 1000BC

• Used large armies, bronze weapons and chariots to conquer territory

• Ruled by the Mandate of Heaven

• Priests had the authority to call upon the gods and predict the future

• Cultural achievements: writing using characters, bronze objects, ivory, silk, pottery, and the creation of cities.

Zhou Dynasty• About 1000BC, Wu killed the Shang king

and established a new dynasty, the Zhou. (JOH)

• Agricultural system: nobles owned the land and peasants worked it.

• Technological advances: roads, expanded foreign trade, obtained horses, the cross-bow, iron plows, and flood-control systems.

• Under the Zhou, China became the most populated country in the world.

Venn Diagram: India vs. ChinaCHINESE

CIVILIZATIONINDIAN

CIVILIZATION

Ancient River Valley Civilizations

Israelites • The Israelites were another

early civilization who settled in Asia.

• Eventually, they live in present-day Israel, but it was a difficult journey.

• Their history was one filled with prejudice, but it eventually becomes the foundation for Judaism.

• In this period, history intertwines with religion – do not make judgments!

• As a class, we will read pgs. 36-39. Answer the following questions in your notes.

1. Explain three characteristics of the Israelites’ religious beliefs.

1. Monotheistic: belief in one God

2. Prophets: holy messengers who received commands from God

3. Yahweh: Israelite God who determined right & wrong

2. How is the religion of the Israelites similar to other religions?

• The teachings of the Israelites exist as Judaism today.

• Shares many beliefs with other monotheistic religions:– Islam– Christianity

3. Who was Abraham?

• A herder and trader who lived in Mesopotamia

• In 1900BC, he settled in Canaan at the command of Yahweh

• God made a covenant, or agreement with Abraham.

4. What were the causes/effects of the Israelites move to Egypt?

• Causes:– Severe drought

and famine in Canaan

• Effects:– Pharaohs enslaved

them

5. Who was Moses?

• Moses was an Israelite leader in the 1200’s BC.

• He led his people out of Egypt in an exodus across the Sinai desert.

6. What are the Ten Commandments?

• On the trek across the Sinai, Moses and the Israelites pledged to reject all other Gods.

• Also promised to obey God’s laws, or the Ten Commandments.

• Influenced modern laws and religion.

7. Who was David?

• David, a military leader, became King of the Israelites in 1012B.C.

• He set up a capital at Jerusalem, organized a government, and expanded his territory.

8. Explain the struggle between the Israelites and the Mesopotamians.

• In 722 BC, the Assyrians conquered Israel.

• In 586 BC, the Chaldeans gained control and enslaved them. Next, they were exiled to Babylon (Chaldean capital)

9. Why were the Jews allowed to return to Jerusalem?

• In 539 BC, the Persians conquered the Chaldeans.

• The Persian King allowed the Jewish exiles to return to Israel.

10. What is the Torah?• In 400BC, Jewish

holy writings were organized into the Torah.

• Made up of the first five books of the Bible.

• Includes the writings of the prophets

• Became the sacred text of Judaism

The Israelites1. Explain three characteristics of the Israelites’

religious beliefs.2. How is the religion of the Israelites similar to other

religions?3. Who was Abraham?4. What were the causes/effects of the Israelites move

to Egypt?5. Who was Moses?6. What are the Ten Commandments?7. Who was David?8. Explain the struggle between the Israelites and the

Mesopotamians.9. Why were the Jews allowed to return to Jerusalem?10.What is the Torah?

The Ten Commandments• The Ten Commandments were an

important part of the Israelite empire.

• These were God’s laws that Moses and all the Israelites began to practice.

• Besides historically shaping the Israelite empire, the Ten Commandments also had an influence on religion in the West.

• We are now going to read the Ten Commandments and historically translate them.

The Ten Commandments1.Thou shalt have no other gods before me.2.Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, for I the Lord, thy God

am a jealous God, 3.Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will

not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.4.Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour,

and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.

5.Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

6.Thou shalt not kill.7.Thou shalt not commit adultery.8.Thou shalt not steal.9.Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.10.Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy

neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

G701’s Ten Commandments• You are now going to get a chance to

create my classroom’s Ten Commandments.

• These should follow the layout of the actual Ten Commandments.

• These classroom commandments should be rules that MUST be obeyed in G701.

• Be creative!