Download The Yellow River Valley Geography

Today’s Agenda

Homework: Study For Test!!

Quick-Write: None

The Yellow River Valley PowerPoint

Philosophy Discussion
Aim: The Yellow River Valley
Geography

Consists of three main rivers
– Huang (Yellow), Chang and Xi Rivers


Rivers flooding is unpredictable
Rivers produced loess
– fertile yellow soil

Isolated due to natural barriers
– Gobi Desert and Himalaya Mountains
The Middle Kingdom

Felt it was the center of the world
– called itself the “Middle Kingdom”

Felt its culture was superior than every
other culture
– known as ethnocentrism

Ethnocentrism lead to isolationism
– traditional lifestyle

China did not come in contact with other
civilizations
– lacked technology
Eventually, the Chinese discontinued
the expeditions due to ethnocentrism.
The Chinese believed that they were
superior to other cultures.
The Chinese believed that they
were the “Middle Kingdom.”
They believed that they could
learn nothing important from other
inferior cultures.
Though China was very advanced
for the time period, isolationism
caused China to fall behind.
The Shang Dynasty

First dynasty of China
– dynasty: a ruling family

Developed a writing system called
calligraphy
– eventually became a form of art

Believed in animism and ancestor
worship
– animism: belief spirits inhabit all objects
The first known dynasty of China was the
Shang dynasty. This dynasty united the
people living around the Huang He and
Yangtze river valleys.
Ancient Calligraphy
The Zhou Dynasty

Emperors justified their takeover due to
the Mandate of Heaven
– belief that gods picked the emperor to rule
but the gods could also remove a bad
emperor from power

The rise and fall of dynasties is known as
the dynastic cycle
Zhou rulers
claimed
the
Mandate of
Heaven or
the
right to rule.
However, the
gods could
remove
the ruler’s
right to rule.
The Qin Dynasty

Built the Great Wall of China
– built to keep invaders out
– didn't work

Established a strong centralized
government
– one government controlled all local areas
During Qin China,
the Chinese began
building the Great
Wall of China.
The Great Wall of
China was built to
protect China from
nomadic invaders.
The Han Dynasty

China’s “Golden Age”
– numerous inventions were introduced


porcelain, silk, gunpowder, printing press,
compass
Developed the civil service exam
– people needed to do well on tests to obtain
jobs
– questions based on Confucianism

Silk Road emerged
– trade between China and the Middle East
– lead to cultural diffusion
It is important to remember that during the
Han dynasty, a scholar had to pass a test
on Chinese history and Confucianism to
work in the government.
To work for the
government, a
Chinese man had
to pass a difficult
examination. By
establishing a
civil service
examination,
education was
emphasized.
The Silk Road was a famous Chinese
trading route.
Throughout Chinese history, there have
been many great philosophers.
Confucianism


Most influential philosophy in China ever!
Stressed:
– respect for elders
– education is important
– follow a code of moral conduct
– maintain political and social order
– filial piety (worship of family)
– each society member must complete their duty
– the five relationships of Confucius
– people must do their assigned tasks and
duties
While all three philosophies greatly
influenced China, Confucianism became
the official philosophy of dynastic China.
In Confucianism, a son must obey his
father.
Daoism


Stressed nature
Believed in the Ying-Yang
The Yin-Yang is a popular Daoist or
Taoist symbol.
Legalism

Believed:
– people are born bad
– people are selfish
– people needed laws to control them
– people need to be punished harshly to
main order in society
Putting Them Together

All three philosophies try to establish:
– peace
– political and social order
– respect for authority
Chinese Accomplishments






Gunpowder
Compass
Porcelain
Metal Printing Press
Paper
The Silk Road
– trade between Asia and Europe/Middle East



Acupuncture
Oldest Male Head of Household
Extended Family