1. Geography and Early History
Ancient China
Geography and Early History

2. Huang He (Yellow) River Civilization

3. Geography Leads To Isolation!!
North—Gobi Desert
South—Dense Rainforests
East—Himalayan Mountains
West—Pacific Ocean
Being surrounded by geographic barriers lead to…
Low cultural diffusion
High level of ethnocentrism

4. Religious Beliefs
Ancestor Worship

5. Writing System-- based on ideographs

6. Government
Dynastic Cycle
Mandate of Heaven

7. Homework
What are some of the signs that a new dynasty has the Mandate of Heaven?
What are some signs that a dynasty has lost the Mandate of Heaven?
How might the Mandate of Heaven be used to achieve changes in government?

8. Chinese Advancements
Silkmaking
Bookmaking