Ancient China Unit Test Study Guide

The Environment Affected China’s Civilization: Huang River Valley The Huang River Valley cuts through the North China Plain. Floods occur when the river rises during heavy summer rains. People modified their environment by building levees, walls to control flooding.

The Environment Affected China’s Civilization: Guangxi Zhungzu The Guangxi Zhungzu region has one of the best climates for farming. The growing season is long. People modified their environment by double cropping. This means they were able to grow two different crops on the same land in the same year. rice then vegetable

The Environment Affected China’s Civilization: North China Plain Most of China’s people live on the North China Plain because the water gives them food, water for crops, and methods of transportation. The soil is also fertile for farming. People modified their environment by building terraces to plant their crops on. Terraces made flat areas to plant crops on.

People tried to control the Huang River by building levees. The Huang River is also known as the Yellow River and “China’s Sorrow”. The Huang River was beneficial because it provided fresh water for cooking and farming. It also allowed for easier transportation. The Huang River was disastrous because for centuries, floods wiped out crops and left people homeless. People tried to control the Huang River by building levees.

Belief Systems

Founder: started by Confucius in 551-479 B.C. Confucianism: Belief System Founder: started by Confucius in 551-479 B.C. Building: temples Book: The Analects

Confucianism teaches: Belief System the middle way– people should make balanced decisions. respect for the family humility (modesty) I am great!

Buddhism: Belief System Founder: started by Siddhartha Gautama (known as The Buddha) around 500 B.C. Building: temples Book: Jataka Tales

Buddhism teaches: Belief System The Four Noble Truths: Suffering is a part of life for all people. The Eightfold Path helps people find relief from their suffering. ALL people could reach enlightenment which is a state of pure goodness.

Choose 2 of the Dynasties to study!

The Shang Dynasty Best Remembered For: oracle bones Bronze Age (weapons and tools) walled cities

The Western Zhou Dynasty Best Remembered For: most people were farmers women harvested crops and were in charge of silk production silk was an important product

The Eastern Zhou Dynasty Best Remembered For: new system of money iron used to make tools and weapons government projects were started that included flood control, irrigation, & canal building

Qin Dynasty Best Remembered For: system of weights and measures the Great Wall unifying China the burning of books

Han Dynasty Best Remembered For: taxed traded good civil service inventions: porcelain, ink, paper citizens taking a civil service exam

An Organized Social Structure Civilization a group of people living together who have organized systems of government, education, religion, and a social structure Religion Systems of Government An Organized Social Structure Education

GRAPES Geography: Yellow River, Gobi Desert, Himalaya Mts. Religion: Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism Achievements: terraces, civil service, pictographs Political: dynasties, Shi Huangdi, Mandate of Heaven Economic: Silk Road, middleman, double cropping Social: nobility, emperors, ancestors