Download Geography of China

Chapter 7 lesson 1 Notes
I. Huang River
A. Begins in the plateau of the
Himalayans.
1. This plateau is known as the
roof of the world.
B. During the summer the Huang
overflows and spreads silt on the
North China Plain.
II. Huang River Valley
A. Farming communities developed
along the Huang River about 4000
B.C.
B. the Huang River carries a fertile soil
that is deposits along the Huang
River valley.
1. Loess is a dusty-yellow soil.
2. It helps farmers because it is
fine and rock free and very
fertile.
3. Loess soil is easily carried away
by storms.
C. Chinese farmers, like other early
farmers, fought to control their
rivers.
III. Agriculture along the Huang
A. Farmers built levees to try to stop
the flooding, but the waters spilled
over.
B. Canals were built to bring water
into fields, but they became clogged
and had to be cleared.
C. Forest areas were cleared to
create more farmland.
1. the fertile but delicate soil
easily washed away causing
erosion.
2. Erosion makes it difficult for
farmers to grow crops.
3. If too much soil is washed
away and crops fail a famine can
occur.
 IV.



Other Regions
A. Not all of China’s land was suitable
for farming.
B. To the north of the Huang river Valley
are windswept steppes.
C. People herd cattle and sheep on
horseback in this region.

The Huang River is called "THE
CRADLE OF CHINESE
CIVILIZATION” is the birth
place of the northern Chinese
civilizations and is the most
prosperous region in the early
Chinese history. But frequent
devastating flooding, largely
due to the elevated river bed
in its lower course, has also
earned it the nickname
"CHINA'S SORROW".....!!!!
Chapter 7 lesson 2 Notes
I.
Shang Dynasty
A.
Controlled the Huang River delta around 1700
B.C.
B.
One of the earliest capitals was called Shang
C.
Shang dynasty ruled for over 600 years.
D.
Shang rulers gave land to relatives so they
could start new towns.
1.
Under the rule of the nobles people
produced food, clothing, and other
products for the king.
2.
The people also served as part-time
soldiers.
E.
The capital was later moved from Shang city
to Anyang.
II.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
III.
A.
B.
Shang writing
Writing developed before the Shang dynasty
came to power.
Early Chinese writing used signs and symbols
that looked like pictures.
Over time these characters were simplified.
Shang records were written on bamboo and
silk.
Bronze pots, stones, and bones were also
written on.
1.
the bones were called dragon bones and
were used by oracles to predict the
future.
Shang religion
Worshipped many different gods
Believed their ancestors controlled things on
Earth, but lived in a different world.