1. Ancient China Existed more than 500,000 years ago
Before Sumerians were settling Mesopotamia, Chinese farming settlements were developing along rivers

2. What is the difference between a settlement and a civilization?
QUICK WRITE 3 min Hint: Refer to “Civilization” notes.

3. What was the geography of Ancient China?
Surrounded by natural barriers:
Gobi Desert
Taklimakan Desert
Himalayas
Plateau of Tibet (icy)
Mongolian Plateau
Borders the ocean

4. Gobi Desert

5. Taklimakan Desert

6. Himalayas

7. Plateau of Tibet

8. Mongolian Plateau

9. Borders the Ocean

10. What Were the River Systems?
Two major rivers:
Huang He River (“Yellow River”) – Northern China
Yangtze River – Central China
Loess: yellow silt

11. What Were the Environmental Challenges?
Devastating floods – “China’s Sorrow”
No/limited trade
Constant northwest invasions

12. How Did the Environment Aide Civilization?
Between two rivers – North China Plain – was very suitable for farming
Fertile soil, water supply

13. What Were the First Dynasties?
Xia Dynasty – First Chinese Dynasty
Controlled floods, took advantage of rivers
Shang Dynasty – First Chinese Dynasty to have written records
Major City: Anyang—built of wood

14. Anyang City walls protected higher classes
Peasants, craftspeople lived in huts outside the city
Frequently at war

15. What Do the Indus, Egypt, China, and Mesopotamia Have in Common?
QUICK WRITE 3 min