China

I. Geography of China Physical Features China’s southwestern and western border is made up of the Himalayan Mountains. The tallest mountain in the Himalayas is Mt. Everest, standing 29,035ft.

Gobi Desert – mostly gravel and rock, the world’s coldest desert Taklimakan Desert – mostly sand, lots of sand dunes, sand storms are very common Its name means: “Enter and you will not come out”

Gobi Desert Taklimakan Desert

Plateau of Tibet – north of the Himilayas, world’s tallest plateau Its nicknamed “The Roof of the World”

Yellow River – picks up silt which gives the river its color and name, flows through a major farming region Yangzi River – China’s longest river, important for shipping and transportation

I. Confucianism Confucius was ancient China’s first great thinker and teacher. He wanted to end problems in China and bring peace to society.

Confucius believed that people needed to have a sense of duty. This meant that a person should put the needs of the family and the community before their own needs. He thought that kings should rule for the common good of their people. This type of rule would cause the people to respect their leaders. Confucius’ teachings were spread throughout China.

II. Laozi Credit for Daoism is given to the philosopher Laozi. Historians are not sure if this was a real person. Laozi’s teachings were recorded in the book “Dao De Jing”

Daoism wanted people to give up worldly desires and concerns so that they could seek inner peace and harmony with nature This was the opposite of Confucianism, which wanted people to work hard to change and improve the world.

III. Legalism Henfeizi developed the teachings of Legalism He claimed that this way of thinking would bring peace to the rest of the world. Legalism is based on the idea that people are naturally evil. He believed that people needed harsh laws and punishments to force them to do their duty.

Legalism required a strong ruler who would enforce these laws and keep order in society. Many of the aristocrats liked the idea of Legalism because it favored the use of force and power not kindness and understanding.

IV. Qin Shihuangdi Qin was a powerful ruler who favored the idea of Legalism He had those that opposed him killed. He burned any books that taught against his ideas. 1) Qin unified China, 2) created one currency, 3) built roads and canals

Qin forced farmers to go to Northern China and help build a wall to keep Nomadic tribes out. This wall would become part of the Great Wall that we know today. Qin was hated by all the people of China and after his death a new dynasty would take control