1. Part One of Your Journey - Geography
Empires of Asia
Part One of Your Journey - Geography
As you travel through Asia you will work at your own pace but keep track of due dates. You will create a Google Docs and label it “Empires of Asia” to keep your writing together. Each video you view must have a written component that is clearly labeled in your Google Docs. You can copy and paste questions into the Google account as well. Quizzes for each section will be in “Linkit.com/testtaker”. Your code will be at the end of each slide. Also, at the end of each slide will be the “Study Guide Questions.” Label them as such in your Google Docs.
Section
Possible Grade
Clarity and Neatness
Due Date
Geography
100
11/13
China Reunifies
11/18
Song and Tang Achievement
11/23
Yuan and Ming Dynasties
11/30
Confucianism and Government
12/2
Japan’s Growth of Military Society
12/7

2. Standards
4.2B Grade 8 CPI 4.A, Explain how geography influenced the development of the political, economic, and cultural centers of each empire as well as the empires' relationships with other parts of the world.
4.2B Grade 8 CPI 4.F, Explain how the geographies and climates of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas influenced their economic development and interaction or isolation with other societies.
06-08.RH.07, Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.
06-08.WST.10, Write routinely over extended time frames (time for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Objective: Students will be able to explain how geography influenced the development of the political, economic, and cultural centers of China and Japan in relationship with other parts of the world.
Target Learning: I will learn how geography influenced the development of China and Japan

3. The geography of China shaped the way the civilization and culture developed. The large land was isolated from much of the rest of the world by dry deserts to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the east, and impassable mountains to the south. This enabled Chinese culture to develop independently from other parts of the world.

4. Rivers were an important geographical feature of China
Rivers were an important geographical feature of China. The Yellow River in the north and the Yangtze River to the south were a source of water, food, fertile soil, and transportation.
The Himalaya Mountains to the south are the highest in the world. Due to its height, China was isolated.
The Gobi Desert and Taklamakan Desert to the north and west of China also isolated this massive country. Only the Mongols who lived in the Gobi Desert were able to attack China.

5. What three geographical features isolated China?
What enabled China to be successful and thrive?

7. GEOGRAPHY and EARLY JAPAN The islands of Japan are really just the tops of undersea mountains and volcanoes, sticking up out of the ocean. Those mountains cover nearly all of Japan. Only about 20 percent of the land is flat. Most Japanese people have always lived in those flat areas, the coastal plains. The sea has also shaped the lives of Japanese people. Their homes were never far from the sea. Naturally, they turned to the sea for food. The islands’ location affected the Japanese people because the Japanese people were separated from the other people of Asia.
This separation allowed the Japanese to develop their own culture. For example, they created a religion and a social structure very different from those in other parts of Asia. This separation has always been an important part of Japanese society.

8. What was one way that Japan’s geography affect how people there lived?
Why was Japan isolated from Korea and China in ancient times?

9. The First Japanese
The first Japanese people lived in villages were ruled by powerful clans, or extended families. Other people in the village, including farmers and workers, had to obey and respect members of these clans. At the head of each clan was a chief who had political power, and religious duties. The Japanese believed that their clan chiefs were descended from nature spirits called kami (KAH-mee).
Some clans were larger and more powerful than others. In time a few of these powerful clans built up armies and set out to conquer their neighbors. One clan that gained power lived in the Yamato region of Japan’s largest island, Honshu. They believed they were descended from the most powerful of all kami, the goddess of the sun.
By the 500s the Yamato rulers had extended their control over much of Honshu and began to call themselves the emperors of all Japan.

10. Changes in Religion and Philosophy
One of the people most influential in bringing Chinese ideas to Japan was Prince Shotoku (shoh-toh-koo). He served as regent for his aunt, the empress. A regent is a person who rules a country for someone who is unable to rule alone.
Prince Shotoku admired Chinese culture. As regent, Shotoku sent scholars to China to learn all they could about Chinese society. Among other things that were brought back was Confucianism which, outlined how families should behave. Confucius taught that fathers should rule their families, wives should obey their husbands, children should obey their parents, and younger brothers should obey older brothers. The Japanese began to live by these Confucian ideas.
More important than these social changes, though, were the vast religious changes Shotoku made in Japan. He was a Buddhist, and he wanted to spread Buddhism throughout his country. He built a grand Buddhist temple that still stands today. He also wrote interpretations on Buddhist teachings. Largely because of his efforts, Buddhism became very popular, especially among Japanese nobles.

11. Why did prince Shotoku send scholars to China?
What religious ideas from China influenced and shaped the lives of Japanese families?
Why did prince Shotoku send scholars to China?

12. Art and Culture in Heian
The nobles followed Japan’s emperor
to Heian (today called Kyoto) wanted
to win his favor by living close to him.
These nobles created an imperial court,
a group of nobles who live near and
serve or advise a ruler.
Buddhism became a popular among Japan’s nobles. Most of the common people in Japan didn’t have the time or money for elaborate rituals. As a result, different forms of Buddhism developed in Japan.
In the 1100s another popular new form of Buddhism called Zen arrived from China. Zen Buddhists believed that neither faith nor good behavior led to wisdom. Instead, people seeking wisdom should practice self-discipline and meditation, or quiet thinking. These ideas appealed to many Japanese, especially warriors.
Watch this video clip and write at least three facts you have learned from the video. Be prepared to discuss.

13. What religion became part of the Japanese nobles lives?
The city now named Kyoto was originally the capital of Japan. What is it’s name?
What is Zen?
Why was Japan isolated from Korea and China in ancient times?
What is kami?
The Pillow Book 
A journal of a woman who served Japan’s Empress Sudoku. It accounts for her daily life and is considered an early masterpiece. From her writing, it is possible to learn about ancient Japan's traditions and values. .