Download Our 3rd Argument Comes from a Chinese Warrior

Goal
!   Students will be able to explain the role of geography
in the formation of civilizations.
Objectives
!   Students will be able to create an argument either for
or against the construction of the Great Wall of China.
!   Students will be able to state the important geological
features in China & explain their significance. !   China is an
immense landmass
!   Need to border it
somehow
The Great Wall of China
!   Built over 2,000 years ago
during the Qin Dynasty (221
B.C.E -206 B.C.E)
!   Later renovated by the Ming
Dynasty
!  One of the 7
Wonders of the
Ancient World
!   Before the Qin Dynasty, the
Wall was several separate small
walls (originated about 700
B.C.E)
!   Shows how disconnected
ancient China was
!  Connected in order to
gain protection from
invading nomadic tribes
(Huns)
You are all members of the Ancient
Chinese Building Committee
Located at the heart of the Yellow River Valley
  As a board member, you will listen to arguments for &
against building a Great Wall of China
 At the end, you will vote on whether or not you will give
ancient China a permit to build a Great Wall
China’s Geography Isolation: It’s a Lonely Place…
Our 1st Argument Comes from a Rice Farmer
We don’t need to build a wall as it would destroy the beauty
of the landscape. We already have natural barriers!!!
Geographic Isolation
!   China is a large and isolated
place
Gobi Desert
Tibetan Plateau
Himalaya
Mountains
Pacific Ocean
China Surrounded By
Natural Barriers
!  Cultural interaction would not take
place for hundreds of years
!   Ancient Chinese had difficulty
interacting with one another
!   Civilization developed in the Yellow
River Valley 2,000 years ago
!   At the beginning the Great Wall of
China was a discontinuous network of
wall segments.
We don’t need to build a wall as it would destroy the beauty
of the landscape. We already have natural barriers!!!
Protect our Trade Routes
Our 2nd Argument Comes
From a Merchant
The Yangtze River
!  Is the most important river
in China
!   Connects Chinese cities
!   Deep & runs fast
!   River never floods
!   Flows through
Southern China
We must build a wall to protect this vital lifeline It connects us together!!! Protection from Invaders
Our 3rd Argument Comes from
a Chinese Warrior
Ensure China’s
safety and build a
Great Wall!!!
!  China’s land to the
North & West is open
!   Invasion is very easy
!  Great Wall of China
stretches 1400 mi
!   15-30 feet thick
Towers
constructed
along the Wall
designed to keep
a lookout for
invaders
! 1  ,000,000 worked on the GWC
!  400,000 people died
The Yellow River (Huang Ho)
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our being
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take tage
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adva
y
of b ders
i
outs
!   “China’s Sorrow”
!   flows across Northern China
for 3,000 mi
!   Shallow
➥  Floods very easily
➥  Destroys cities &
farms
Preserve Nationality
Our 5th Argument Comes From the Shang Dynasty
!  National Identity
!  Can unify China with a
single Great Wall
!  Protection
!  Keep China’s precious
culture in & enemies
OUT
!  This idea is a main
cornerstone in China’s
isolationist policies
Will you authorize permit?
Yes
Circle the citizen with the
most effective argument
no
Permit Granted
If we build it…no one
can come
Permit Denied!
If we build it…only trouble
will come
Why did you vote this way?
What was the most convincing
fact?
Homework
Journal Entry
Write 2 paragraphs explaining whether or not you
agreed with the class’s decision and why?
Paragraph 1: What was the class’s decision & what
effects do you think it will have on China’s society?
Paragraph 2: What is your decision & what effects do
you think it will have on China’s society?
Exit Slip