Chinese Geography & Ancient History

Geography Mountains- Located in the West; Himalayas divide China from Nepal Mt. Everest- Tallest mountain in the world

Rivers Two largest rivers are the Huang He or Yellow River, “China’s Sorrow”) and Yangtze River Start in mountainous highlands in the west and flow east

China’s Rivers

Yellow River Loess- Fertile yellow soil that gives the Huang He its color Dikes prevent flooding http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkD4lKWS0ro

Yangtze River- Tiger Leaping Gorge Largest river in China Three Gorges Dam creates hydro-power for China http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z9K82ZVdMA Tradeoff?

Deserts Taklimakan- Sandy desert in northwest China; known for dust storms Gobi- “waterless place”; 113 degrees in summer, -40 in winter

Chinese Dynasties 1. Shang invade in 1700 BC, form first organized civilization and dynasty 2. For 2500 years, China is ruled by dynasties- families of rulers

Mandate of Heaven Ruler holds power until actions upset the gods Gods give Emperors authority to rule as long as they look over the welfare of the people If rulers fail to do this, heaven withdraws the mandate, brings disaster, military defeat, and a new dynasty start at 3:10 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylWORyToTo4

Chinese Dynasties Shang 9. Ming Zhou 10. Qing Qin 11. Chinese Republic Han 12. Communist China Sui Tang Song Yuan

Early Chinese Dynasties

Emperor Qin Qin (pronounced Chin) becomes first emperor and unites countries Creates what is considered Modern China Begins to build protective walls Creates elaborate tomb with clay soldiers (Terre-Cotta Soldiers) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrmxpnSvaoo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb1CcvqJ0gc

China is invaded by Mongols led by Genghis Khan & Kublai Khan; Song Dynasty is conquered and Yuan dynasty is established Warring Mongol leaders weaken Yuan dynasty; Zhu Yuanzhang founds Ming Dynasty a. Unites modern China b. Expands Great Wall to keep out Mongols

Religion and Philosophy Confucianism a. Founded by Confucius, develops new philosophy b. Teaches importance of moral character c. Rulers should take care of their people d. Becomes governmental guidelines during Han dynasty; used in exams e. Focus on here and now f. Relationships are important: (Father/son, teacher student) but not equal

Taoism (or Daoism) b. Founded by Lao Tzu who writes the Tao te Ching a. The Dao is “the way” b. Founded by Lao Tzu who writes the Tao te Ching c. Must find peace with the Tao d. Ying and Yang e. Mystical, look for balance f. Lao Tzu might not exist, possibly a legend/myth

Ying and Yang

Buddhism enters China in 200 AD through Cultural Diffusion Combines elements of all three philosophies

Legalism Founded by Lord Shang (Qin advisor) around 300 B.C. Laws are the central part of society Strict system of punishment and reward (who does this sound like?) Basically, follow the laws or lose your head! http://www.duhaime.org/LawMuseum/lawarticle-367/crime-and-punishment-in-ancient-china.aspx

Chinese Achievements during Dynastic Age 1. Silk and the Silk Road: Traded silk, tea, porcelain and other spices along 4,000 mile route (Marco Polo) 2. Allows for cultural diffusion: exchange of ideas 3. Porcelain: Fine Chinese pottery; your mom might have this! Writing: Simplify pictograms into characters; 50,000 characters exist

Marco Polo Italian Explorer Visits China via the Silk Road Serves Chinese Emperor Kublai Khan Journeys result in cultural diffusion between China and Europe http://www.biography.com/people/marco-polo-9443861

Marco Polo’s Route

Routes of the Silk Road