China’s Geography

Today’s Discussion Questions (6-1 Part I) What two important factors limited China’s contact with outsiders? What are China’s physical boundaries? Describe the weather and temperature in the key areas of China. What are the 2 main rivers in China? Give characteristics of each.

Chapter Focus Describe the early development of China How Chinese civilization began and took shape under early dynasties See how these dynasties controlled government and politics Analyze how Confucius influenced the establishing of traditions about family, art, and learning Examine the society and culture that would last for centuries in China

How much do you know about China? China is a democratic republic. False: Communist (all property is publicly owned and people are paid based on abilities and need) 1 in 5 people in the world live in China. True: Population = 1.35 Billion

How much do you know about China? China has only 10% of suitable farmland. True: They use Terrace Farming techniques to produce enough food. China’s biggest environmental problem is Acid Rain. False: Smog Shanghai is China’s capital city. False: Beijing is the capital. China has over 100 different plants and animals that can only be found there. True

How much do you know about China? The Fortune Cookie is a Chinese tradition invented by the Chinese in 1820. False: Worker in a noodle factory in San Francisco invented it in 1920. China has only one time zone. True The Great Wall of China is visible from space. False: It is not visible to the naked eye. Gun Powder was invented in China.

What’s the most important question!

Where in the world is China?

Location Matters!

A Vast & Varied Land China covers approx. 4 million aq. Miles. Geography played a major role in the development of China. It has many different geographical features. Some features separated groups within China. Others separated China from the rest of the world.

2 Factors that limit China’s contact Long Distances Due to its location in eastern Asia, they were far away from other early civilizations present at that time. Examples: India, Rome, Arabia Natural Barriers Tibetan Plateau Mountains (Himalaya, Tian Shan, Kunlun Shan) Deserts (Gobi, Taklimakan) Oceans (Pacific)

1. The Tibetan Plateau

2. Himalaya Mountains

3. Gobi Desert

4. Pacific Ocean

China also has low-lying plains The plains are not a barrier, but still a physical feature of China.

Can you identify the features?

China’s Boundaries (167) Gobi Desert to the North Low-lying plains to the East Pacific Ocean forms the country’s eastern boundary Rugged mountains to the West The Plateau of Tibet to the Southwest

Weather & Temperature Weather and temperature patterns vary widely across China. In the northeast, the climate is cold/dry. Winter temps drop below 0 F Rivers are frozen more than half of the year In the northwest, deserts are dry Heavy rainfall is found in the eastern plains The southeast is tropical and wet due to monsoons

The Rivers of China Two rivers flow from west to east in China. The bring both fertile soil & sometimes destruction. Huange He (Yellow River) Nearly 3000 miles across northern China Floods often and can be destructive River is sometimes called “China’s Sorrow” Loess: yellow soil

The Rivers of China Chang Jiang (Yangzi River) Runs through central China Flows from the mountains of Tibet to the Pacific Ocean Longest river in Asia (3,400 miles)

Recap What limited China’s contact with outsiders? What are China’s physical barriers? What are China’s main rivers? Exit Slip: Based on what you’ve learned, how do you think geography influenced China’s development? (1 paragraph) (Help & Hurt)

Today’s HW Assignment Use the map on page 167 to identify the items listed on your physical map. Rivers & bodies of water must be outlined or shaded in blue. Mountain Ranges & deserts should be shaded brown. Due Thursday! Map Quiz scheduled for Friday (Nov. 14th)

End of Part I

Civilization Begins in China Part II of Section 1 (Pages 168-171)

6-1 (Part II)The Shang Dynasty   Government Religion Achievements

Review What limited China’s contact with outsiders? What are China’s physical barriers? What are China’s main rivers? Exit Slip: Based on what you’ve learned, how do you think geography influenced China’s development? (Help & Hurt)

Can you identify the features?

Answer the following questions on a sheet of paper. What is a civilization? Where do civilizations usually develop? Why? Where do you think China’s first civilization developed?

Where do civilizations usually develop? Why? Near a river valley or water source./Because they need the water to survive (farming/drinking) Where do you think China’s 1st civilization developed? Near the Huang He River Valley

China’s First Dynasties Societies along the Huang He River Valley grew and became more complex. They eventually formed China’s 1st civilization.

The Xia (Shah) Dynasty According to stories, a series of kings ruled early China. Around 2200 BC one of them, Yu the Great, founded the Xia Dynasty. Archaeologists have found little from this dynasty.

The Shang Dynasty The 1st dynasty for which we have clear evidence is the Shang. Established 1500s Strongest dynasty in the Huange He River Valley Ruled a broad area of northern China Shang rulers moved their capital several times. Probably to avoid floods or enemy attacks The king was the center of political and religious life. They were polytheistic. Nobles served the king as advisors and helped him rule. Less important officials were also nobles. They performed specific governmental and religious duties.

Something to think about… What is the purpose of social order/social classes? Do you think social classes help or hinder society? Why?

Shang Social Order became organized under the Shang Royal Family Nobles Warriors Artisans Farmers Slaves

Shang Social Order Nobles owned much of the land. They passed their wealth and power to their sons. Warriors also had high ranking. The high ranking class lived in large homes in the cities. Artisans lived outside city walls and in groups based on what they made for a living. They were considered to be middle level importance. Farmers worked long hours but had little money. Taxes claimed much of what they made. Slaves were the lowest ranked. Used mainly for labor

Achievements made by the Shang China’s 1st writing system More than 2000 symbols Symbols used today are based on the symbols used by the Shang.

Compare

Achievements by the Shang Use of Oracle Bones Shang writing has been found on thousands of cattle bones/turtle shells. Priest carved questions on the bone and heated them until they cracked. Priest believed they could predict the future by reading the cracks. They were called Oracle bones because an Oracle is a prediction.

Achievements by the Shang Beautiful Bronze Containers Axes Knives Ornaments from Jade War Chariots Powerful Bows Bronze Body Armor Calendar based on the cycle of the moon.

Post Lesson Quiz A civilization is a group of people who share characteristics such as a common __________________. (list 3) China’s 1st civilization developed along the Chang Jiang River Valley. True or False The _________ was China’s first dynasty. Under the Shang Dynasty, nobles passed their wealth and power to __________. China’s modern writing system is based on the symbols developed by the Xia Dynasty. True or False

Post Lesson Quiz: True or False A civilization is a group of people who share characteristics such as a common ________________________ language, government, writing, social classes, and religion. 2. China’s 1st civilization developed along the Chang Jiang River Valley. False: Huang He River Valley 3. The ________________was China’s first dynasty. Xia Dynasty 4. Under the Shang Dynasty, nobles passed their wealth and power to_______________. Their sons 5. China’s modern writing system is based on the symbols developed by the Xia Dynasty. False: It is based on the symbols of the Shang Dynasty

Exit Slip: You Owe Me $8.00!! Without looking at your notes/charts, write a summary of today’s lesson. Each word is worth 5 cents. Your summary must have a minimum of 160 words! Your summary should include the following key words: Civilization, Xia, Shang, Social Classes, & Achievements,