The Geography of China Barriers Isolate China Ocean, mountains, deserts isolate China from other areas

Rivers River Systems Huang He (“Yellow River”) in north, Yangtze in south Huang He leaves loess— fertile silt—when it floods

POLITICAL ECONOMIC China Shang Dynasty (1532-1027BC); left written records Dynastic Cycle – replace bad kings with good kings Mandate of Heaven – God given right to rule ECONOMIC Farming settlements Flood control and irrigation Urbanization (growth of cities) Feudalism in Zhou times

RELIGIOUS SOCIAL China Family ancestors were connected spiritually Polytheistic Oracle bones SOCIAL Classes were divided between nobles and peasants Family was central Women were inferior

Religion Religious Beliefs Spirits of dead ancestors can affect family fortunes Oracle bones used to consult gods; supreme god, Shang Di Priests scratch questions on animal bones and tortoise shells

INTELLECTUAL/ARTS NEAR (GEOGRAPHY) China Yellow River floods Elaborate palaces and tombs Development of writing; shared language for reading Huge walls for protection Bronze crafts Silk cloth made from silk worm NEAR (GEOGRAPHY) Yellow River floods Good: soil is fertile Bad: flood can cause devastation to homes/crops Geographically isolated

A longer video to end China http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylWORyToTo4&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLBDA2E52FB1EF80C9