1. BELLWORK: August 28th
Today we are going to start our study of the Indus River Valley civilization. To begin, read “The Impact of Geography” on pages and answer the following:
List three geographical features that impacted the development of the Indus River Valley civilization.
How did the Indian climate impact farming?
Describe the customary practice of suttee. (pg. 39)
THINKER: Why is it important to study world religions in history class?

2. Indus River Valley Civilization
South Asian Civilization arose in 2500B.C.
Rivers: Indus & Ganges
Mountain ranges: Hindu Kush & Himalayas
Two major cities: Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro
Two major groups: Harappans (3000BC-1500BC) & Aryans (1500BC-600BC)

3. Harappa

4. Mohenjo-Daro

5. To learn more about the Indus River Valley civilization, read pages 37-39; and complete the worksheet for notes!

6. BELLWORK: August 29th
Describe three achievements of the Harappan civilization.
How did the Harappan civilization end?
How did the Aryans come to power?
List three aspects of the Aryan culture.
THINKER: What was the Caste System?

7. Describe three achievements of the Harappan civilization.

8. Harappan Civilization
Urban centers were well planned & organized
Streets, wells = availability of water, trash/sewage disposal
Production of clay pots, bronze, jewelry, and cotton
Traded with people of Mesopotamia
How did the Harappan civilization end?
Harappan Civilization collapsed by 1500 B.C.
Severe climate changes (heat & flooding)
Natural disasters (earthquake)
Foreign migration (searching for better/more land)

12. Who were the Aryans? How did they come to power?

13. The Aryans (1500-600 BC) Nomadic people from the North (Indo-European)
Migrated south & settled where Harappa used to be (over centuries)
Called themselves Aryans (“noble people”)
Warriors – took over the area

14. List three aspects of the Aryan Culture.

15. The Aryans (1500-600 BC) Sanskrit language
Domesticated horses for military use
Iron plow & weapons
Rise of Hinduism (polytheistic)
Brought order and organization to society (Family unit, gender roles, caste system)
Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, lived here and started the faith of Buddhism 

18. What is the Caste System?

19. Review: Important Terms
Varna
Caste System
Karma
Reincarnation

20. Hindu & Caste System Video Clips
Reincarnation
Caste System explained & comparison to Egypt:
The Untouchable Kids of India (start at 1:00)

21. The Caste System
The Aryans developed a social system consisting of four main social classes or varnas.
This system became the foundation of Hinduism.
Each varna had it’s own duties.
Brahmin
Kshatriyas
Vaisyas
Sudras
Dalit (Untouchables)
Based on their religious beliefs, if one had good karma, they could be reincarnated into a higher caste. (does not apply to untouchables)
Only men could go to school & teach; women had no rights

22. Create your own caste system diagram in your notes!!!

24. BELLWORK: Block 2 What is the worst aspect of the Caste System? Why?
If this system is so restrictive, why do millions of people still follow it?
What would need to happen in order to successfully abolish the Caste System?
THINKER: What is a philosophy? How is this different than religion?

25. Ancient China
Pgs ;

27. Chinese Civilizations
Formed along the Huang River Valley.
Did not have contact with outside civilizations
Ancient China was ruled by dynasties

28. Chinese Civilizations
Ancient China was ruled by two dynasties:
Shang dynasty: 1750BC – 1045BC
Zhou dynasty: 1045BC – 256BC

29. Reading: Ancient China
Pages 40-44
Pages
Read about the Shang and Zhou dynasties
Describe government, technology, culture, religion and decline
Summarize the main points!
Chinese Philosophies and Schools of Thought
Confucianism vs. Daoism

30. Review How did the Shang dynasty rule China?
List three achievements of the Shang.
Describe the transition from the Shang to the Zhou dynasty.
What was the Mandate of Heaven? How was this tied to dynastic rulers?
List three achievements of the Zhou.

31. How did the Shang dynasty rule China?

32. Shang Dynasty 1750BC – 1045BC Government was based off land ownership
King appointed leaders to rule local territories (aristocracy)
Religion: Believed in the afterlife and worshiped ancestors; believed priests could communicate with gods (oracle bones)
Used large armies, bronze weapons and chariots to conquer territory
Cultural achievements: bronze objects, ivory, silk, pottery, and the creation of cities.
Describe the transition from the Shang to the Zhou dynasty.

33. Zhou Dynasty List three achievements of the Zhou dynasty.
In 1045BC, the Shang king was killed (tyrant!) and a new dynasty came to power, the Zhou. (JOH)
Ruled by the Mandate of Heaven
Priests had the authority to call upon the gods and predict the future
Agricultural system: nobles owned the land and peasants worked it.
Technological advances: roads, horses, cross-bow, iron plows, irrigation & expanded foreign trade (silk)
Under the Zhou, China became the most populated country in the world.
After 800 years of rule, internal violence & civil wars challenged the king’s rule.

34. Daoism vs. Confucianism??

35. Ancient River Valley Civilizations

36. Vocab Squares: Asian Civilization Beliefs
To start: divide your paper into eight squares.
Each term = 4 squares
Caste System, Confucianism, Daoism & Buddhism
Each square is dedicated to a different concept and is meant to further your understanding of important historical concepts.
These need to be summarized and in your own words! Show your understanding!

37. TERM Description & Explanation (3 sentences!) Vocabulary
(terms, people, events)
Story
Create a sample story or anecdote that relates to this belief system.
Picture
Represent the key ideas in a visual way!
TERM

38. BELLWORK: September 1st
Read about Buddhism on pages and answer the following:
Describe Siddhartha’s early life. What made him leave?
What happened as a result of Siddhartha’s meditation?
What is nirvana?
In your own words, summarize The “Four Noble Truths.”
In your opinion, which aspect of “The Middle Path” is most important? Why?
How did Siddhartha challenge Hinduism?
THINKER: Why is Buddhism classified as a philosophy and NOT a religion?

41. Venn Diagram: India vs. China