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

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

4. POLITICAL ECONOMIC China
Shang Dynasty ( BC); 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. A longer video to end China