1. Geography
Mountains- Located in the West; Himalayas divide China from Nepal
Mt. Everest- Tallest mountain in the world

2. Rivers
Two largest rivers are the Huang He or Yellow River, “China’s Sorrow”) and Yangtze River
Start in mountainous highlands in the west and flow east

3. China’s Rivers

4. Yellow River
Loess- Fertile yellow soil that gives the Huang He its color
Dikes prevent flooding

5. Yangtze River- Tiger Leaping Gorge
Largest river in China
Three Gorges Dam creates hydro-power for China
Tradeoff?

6. Deserts
Taklimakan- Sandy desert in northwest China; known for dust storms
Gobi- “waterless place”; 113 degrees in summer,
-40 in winter

7. China’s deserts: Risk of Desertification

8. Chinese Dynasties
1. Shang invade in 1700 BC, form first organized civilization and dynasty
2. For years, China is ruled by dynasties- families of rulers

9. Mandate of Heaven Ruler holds power until actions upset the gods
Gods give Emperors authority to rule as long as they look over the welfare of the people
If rulers fail to do this, heaven withdraws the mandate, brings disaster, military defeat, and a new dynasty start at 3:10

11. Chinese Dynasties Shang 9. Ming Zhou 10. Qing Qin 11. Chinese Republic
Han Communist China
Sui
Tang
Song
Yuan

12. Early Chinese Dynasties

13. Shang Dynasty: 1500-1027 BCE Considered the first dynasty
Much history is derived from Oracle Bones
Origins of Chinese Characters develop
Chinese begin to weave silk

14. Zhou Dynasty: 1027-256 BCE Irrigation becomes widely used
Philosopher Confucius begins to teach code of behavior
Social hierarchy develops

15. Qin Dynasty & Emperor Qin 221-206 BCE
Qin (pronounced Chin) becomes first emperor and unites countries
Creates what is considered Modern China
Begins to build protective walls (WHAT MIGHT THESE BECOME)
Creates elaborate tomb with clay soldiers (Terra-Cotta Soldiers)

16. Han Dynasty: 206 BC-220 AD Rises from collapse of Qin
Liu Bang (peasant warrior), takes control of China (just ruler, Mandate of Heaven)
Confucianism becomes official government philosophy
Confucian exams could get anyone a government job
Confucian ideal of family is extremely important

17. Sui Dynasty: CE
Grand Canal is constructed, links Yellow and Yangtze Rivers (Northern and Southern China)

18. Tang Dynasty: 618-907 CE “Golden Age” of art and learning
Extent of Chinese control greatly increases
Empress Wu rules China
Silk Road trade reaches its height

19. Song Dynasty: 960-1279 CE Trade within China increases (Grand Canal)
Sea trade also increases (compass)
Era of art and invention
Porcelain
Printing
Paper (paper money)
Gunpowder

20. Yuan Dynasty:
China is invaded by Mongols led by Genghis Khan & Kublai Khan; Song Dynasty is conquered and Yuan dynasty is established
Mongols control a massive empire stretching from China to Eastern Europe
Failed invasion of Japan weakens empire

23. Ming Dynasty:
Warring Mongol leaders weaken Yuan Dynasty dynasty
Chinese resent Mongols, ripe for rebellion
Zhu Yuanzhang leads rebel army against Mongols, founds Ming Dynasty
a. Unites modern China
b. Expands Great Wall to keep out Mongols (because it worked so well the first time)
c. Build Forbidden City, other projects

24. Religion and Philosophy
Confucianism
a. Founded by Confucius, develops new philosophy
b. Teaches importance of moral character
c. Rulers should take care of their people
d. Becomes governmental guidelines during Han dynasty; used in exams
e. Focus on here and now
f. Relationships are important: (Father/son, teacher student) but not equal

25. Images of Confucius

26. Taoism (or Daoism) b. Founded by Lao Tzu who writes the Tao te Ching
a. The Dao is “the way”
b. Founded by Lao Tzu who writes the Tao te Ching
c. Must find peace with the Tao
d. Yin and Yang
e. Mystical, look for balance
f. Lao Tzu might not exist, possibly a legend/myth

27. Yin and Yang

28. Buddhism enters China in 200 AD through Cultural Diffusion
Combines elements of all three philosophies

29. Legalism Founded by Lord Shang (Qin advisor) around 300 B.C.
Laws are the central part of society
Strict system of punishment and reward (who does this sound like?)
Basically, follow the laws or lose your head!

30. Chinese Achievements during Dynastic Age
1. Silk and the Silk Road: Traded silk, tea, porcelain and other spices along 4,000 mile route (Marco Polo)
2. Allows for cultural diffusion: exchange of ideas
3. Porcelain: Fine Chinese pottery; your mom might have this!
Writing: Simplify pictograms into characters; 50,000 characters exist

31. Marco Polo Italian Explorer Visits China via the Silk Road
Serves Chinese Emperor Kublai Khan
Journeys result in cultural diffusion between China and Europe

32. Marco Polo’s Route HINGE: WHY DID MARCO POLO CHOSE NOT TO TAKE A LAND ROUTE TO INDIA?

33. Routes of the Silk Road