The Geography of China Barriers Isolate China Ocean mountains deserts isolate China from other areas River Systems Huang He Yellow River in north Yangtze in south Huang He leaves ID: 642102
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Slide1
2.4 River Dynasties in ChinaSlide2
The Geography of China
Barriers Isolate China
Ocean, mountains, deserts isolate China from other areasSlide3Slide4
River Systems
Huang He
(“Yellow River”) in north
, Yangtze
in south
Huang He leaves
loess
—fertile silt—when it floods
Unpredictable floodingSlide5
Environmental Challenges
Huang He floods can devour whole villages
Nicknamed “China’s Sorrow”
Geographic
isolation
means lack of trade; must be self-sufficient
Only about 10% of land is suitable for farming
China’s Heartland
North China Plain, area between two rivers, center of civilizationSlide6
Civilization Emerges in Shang Times
The First Dynasties
Around 2000 B.C.E., cities arise; Yu, first ruler of Xia Dynasty
Yu’s flood control system tames Huang He
Shang Dynasty
, 1700 to 1027 B.C.E.,
first to leave written records
King Yu
“Conquering the Yellow River equates to controlling the whole of China.”Slide7
Early Cities
Built cities of wood, such as
Anyang
—one of its capital cities
Upper classes live inside city; poorer people live outside
Shang cities have massive walls for military defense
Elaborate palaces and tombsSlide8
The Development of Chinese Culture
Chinese Civilization
Sees China as center of world; views others as uncivilized
The group is more important than the individual
Family
Family is central social institution; respect for parents a virtue
Elder males control family property
Women expected to obey all men, even sons
Social Classes
King and warrior-nobles lead society and own the landSlide9
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 shellsSlide10
Development of Writing
Writing system uses
characters
to represent ideas
Combinations of characters were used to convey more complex ideas
Character for a tree was one
Forest = Set of 3 trees
People of different languages can use same system
No link between spoken and written word
Unites them
Huge number of characters make system difficult to learnSlide11
Link between Ancient v. Modern
Similarities allows for scholars to read the ancient writings today. Slide12
Shang Technology and Artistry
Bronzeworking
Massive caldrons
Used
for offerings
Bells
SilkSlide13
Zhou and the Dynastic Cycle
The Zhou Take Control
In 1027 B.C., Zhou Dynasty takes control of China
Mandate of Heaven
The belief that a just ruler had divine approval
Developed as justification for change in power to Zhou
Dynastic Cycle—pattern of the rise and decline of dynastiesSlide14
Control Through Feudalism
Feudalism
—system where kings give land to nobles in exchange for services
Over time, nobles grow in power and begin to fight each otherSlide15
Improvements in Technology and Trade
Zhou Dynasty builds
roads, canals
to improve transportation
Uses
coins
to make trade easier
Produces
cast iron tools and weapons
; food production increases
Ancient Coins from ChinaSlide16
A period of Warring States
Peaceful, stable Zhou empire rules from around 1027 to 256 B.C.
In 771 B.C.E., nomads sack the Zhou capital, murder monarch
Luoyang becomes new capital, but internal wars destroy traditions