1. IV. Chinese Civilization

2. A. Geography of China
Last great civilization to develop but the only one that survives today
Huang He (Yellow) & Yangtze Rivers – Main rivers that civilization developed around
Yellow River – “China’s Sorrow” very unpredictable flooding that often caused disasters

4.                                                          
Yellow River

5. Natural barriers isolated China from others
Chinese did not want to have contact with outsiders
Viewed all people not Chinese as barbarians

6. B. Chinese Culture Family is central to Chinese society
Most important value is respect for one’s parents
Girls had arranged marriages around and moved into their husband’s home
Mandate of Heaven – Divine approval thought to be the basis of royal authority in Chinese society

7. C. Chinese Religion Family is closely linked to Chinese religion
Families pay respect to their father’s ancestors and make sacrifices in their honor
Oracle Bones – Priest heated animal bones to have questions answered by the gods

8.                                                             
Oracle Bones

9. D. Process of Reading Oracle Bones
1) Wrote questions on animal bones
2) Applied hot pokers to the bones causing them to crack
3) Priest would read the cracks and interpret how their questions were answered

10. E. Development of Writing
Earliest evidence of Chinese writing is the Oracle Bones
Similar to other pictographic languages
Person who knows 1,000 symbols is barely literate
True scholars mastered over 10,000 symbols

12. Chinese script is unique, isn’t it?
Think about other elements of Chinese culture:
Chinese architecture, music, technology,
dress and fashion, and eastern belief systems…
Also unique!
Gobi Desert
Taklimakan Desert
Himalaya Mts.
Pacific Ocean
PEACE
LOVE
TOLERANCE
LUCK
ETERNITY

13. F. China is Unified
China is unified around 200 B.C. under the rule of Shi Huangdi
Shi Huangdi –Means “First Emperor”
Ruled China as a ruthless dictator
Burnt books he didn’t agree with and burnt and buried Chinese scholars alive

14. Tomb of Shi Huangdi

16. G. Great Wall of China
Shi Huangdi is also responsible for ordering the construction of the Great Wall of China
Wall stretches 1400 miles
Millions of peasants built the wall
One million people die during its construction and most are buried inside the wall

17. Great Wall of China

18. Actual Great Wall
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
Daniel Lovering / AP
The

19. 3,000 Year Old Chinese Coins