Early China Geography of China The Huang He

Early China

Geography of China • The Huang He River is more than 2900 miles long. • It flows across central china and empties into Yellow Sea • 12 percent of the total land is suitable for farming. • Much of China is mountainous and contains deserts. • *The mountains and desert acted as barriers separating the Chinese from the rest of the Asia • *China is isolated because of natural barriers

Huang He River • • -*Referred to as “China’s Sorrows” because floods caused by the loess-clogged river, destroyed crops and led to mass starvation -Provided a source of water for cities linked cities within dynastic region - flooding in China deposited rich soil for farming

Ancient China • Dynasty – A series of rulers from a single family.

Origins of Chinese Culture • Family and Society • Chief loyalty throughout life was to the family, then the King, then to country.

Origins of Chinese Culture • Religious Beliefs • • • Ancestral Worship – to show respect and honor of the family they believed their ancestors had the power to bring good/bad fortune to living family members Oracle Bones – used to communicate with the gods

Origins of Chinese Culture • Calligraphy • • Each character represents one idea rather than a letter. Literate – 1000 characters Educated – 10000 characters Difficulty learning because so many characters

*Chinese Government • *Mandate of Heaven • • In China it is the divine approval thought to be the basis of royal authority. *God given right to rule

Chinese Government • Dynastic Cycle • The historical pattern of the rise, decline and replacement of ruling dynasties. • Dynastic Cycle=Mandate of Heaven • *Example: Zhou dynasty overthrew the Shang Dynasty claiming that the Gods had given them the Mandate of Heaven

GREAT WALL OF CHINA • SHI HUANGDI FORCED POOR PEOPLE TO BUILD • -BUILT FOR PROTECTION FROM BARBARIANS