1. Ancient China
Unit Test Study Guide

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Belief Systems

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

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

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

10. 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.

11. Choose 2 of the Dynasties to study!

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

13. 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

14. 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

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

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

17. 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

18. 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