CHINA III

Bell Ringer: Journal What do you think about most of the goods of the world being made in China? How do you think this will impact American jobs?

The Northeast The Northeast has formed China’s core for centuries, containing the capital Beijing and the greatest concentration of China’s population. The Northeast was the site of one of the world’s original culture hearths, centered on the Huang He. Beijing is a major industrial center, but the Special Economic Zones have been so successful that investment money is going south. The Northeast has an agricultural area made fertile by wind-blown loess from Mongolia and the Gobi Desert. The Huang He serves as a transportation route, but has also created so much destruction through flooding that it is called “China’s Sorrow.” 2

History Qin Dynasty was the first unified, multi-national and power-centralized state in the Chinese history. It lasted from 221 BC to 206 BC. Although surviving only 15 years, the dynasty held an important role in Chinese history and it exerted great influence on the following dynasties.

Emperor Qin Only two emperors, Yingzheng - Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor in the Chinese history, and Emperor Hu Hai ever ruled the state, which was finally overthrown by the people's uprising.Emperor Qin Shi Huang

Terra Cotta Soldiers

The Southeast The climate and fertile soil of the Southeast allow farmers in some areas to practice double cropping, or growing more than one crop a year on the same land. The Yangzi valley is the location of China’s most productive farmland, and the river serves as an east- west highway connecting the interior with the coast. The government has set up Special Economic Zones in this region to lure foreign investment and technical expertise with low tax rates. Many have migrated to the Southeast to benefit from the economic boom the region is experiencing. 2

The Southwest The Plateau of Tibet, the highest region in the world, dominates the Southwest Region. Tibet has a distinctive society based on the Buddhist religion. For most of their history, Tibetans have lived as farmers and herders under the theocratic leader the Dalai Lama. China invaded Tibet in 1950, and the Dalai Lama was driven into exile. After an uprising in 1959, the Chinese government instituted a policy designed to destroy Tibetan culture and later, designated Tibet an autonomous region. Tibetans still hold onto their traditions and culture despite efforts by the Chinese government. 2

2 The Northwest The Northwest is dry, barren, and rugged. Population in the region is low. The Silk Road crossed Northwest China, and way stations developed around oases along the road. Some way stations eventually developed into towns. In the oasis towns, people live by farming, but nomadic herding is the major economic activity in the region.

3 A Huge Population Mao believed that power lay in numbers, so he encouraged the Chinese people to have more children. After finally recognizing the problems of overcrowding, Mao called for a two- child policy. Deng set a one-child goal, offering rewards and fines to encourage people to follow this policy. Propaganda did not convince rural Chinese to follow the policy, because contract responsibility shifted production to family labor.

Bell Ringer Name two land forms from the Northern and Southern parts of China. What Island is due East of China? The Northeastern part of China is called? –See large map on side board.

Chinese Culture About 56 ethnic minority groups live in China, but 92 percent of China’s population belong to the Han ethnic group. The written form of Chinese uses ideograms, or pictures representing a thing or idea, and all Chinese students are taught Chinese characters. Daoism is based on the writings of Laozi, who wrote that the path to true happiness lies in living in harmony with the natural world. Confucianism is a philosophy based on the teachings of Confucius, who believed that society functions best if people respect the laws and behave according to their positions in society. China is officially an atheist state, but many people continue to practice their religions. Although Western medicine is practiced in China, many prefer traditional Chinese medicine, which includes the use of herbal remedies, breathing exercises, special diets, and acupuncture. 3