Early River Civilizations China Chapter 2 The Geography

Early River Civilizations: China Chapter 2

The Geography of China • China had several natural barriers that left it isolated from the rest of the world including: • • • Yellow Sea Pacific Ocean Gobi Desert Tibetan Plateau Himalayan Mountains • The Chinese civilization was located on the Huang He (Yellow River) and the Yangtze River. • Yellow River is know for its Yellow Silt called Loess.

Environmental Challenges • The natural barriers that surrounded this early civilization caused many problems that other civilizations didn’t face. • The rivers would flood. • There was very little trade • Invasion • Very little land in China is suitable for farming. • North China Plain

Civilization Emerges • Around 2000 bc the first settlements started forming in China. • The first Chinese Dynasty was the Xia, and was led by Yu. • Yu was a mathematician and an engineer • He also helped control flood waters • Created irrigation • The Shang Dynasty developed around 1700 bc and lasted until 1027 bc • Written Language develops

Early Cities and Culture • Anyang was the major city • Build mainly of wood • Located in a forest clearing • Walled city • Family was central to Chinese society. • Patriarch • Women were considered inferior • Social Class was divided between nobles and peasants. • Religious belief • Spiritual Ancestors • Shang Di • Oracle Bones

Dynastic Cycle

Control through Feudalism • Feudalism: a political system in which nobles or lords, are granted the use of land that legally belong to the King, and in return the nobles protect the people who live there. • The Kings eventually got more and more independent and started fighting against one another. • Zhou innovations: • • Roads and Canals for Trade Coined money Blast furnaces for cast iron Iron produciton

Warring States • The Zhou ruled from 1027 -256 bc • Warring States • No control over nobles • Self declared lords/kings • Chaos