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Ancient China
Study Guide
Directions: Using the learning objectives effectively can help you to create a study guide of your own! For this
study guide, answer the questions by labeling, writing sentences, or completing a graphic organizer. If a learning
objective has a small box to the left of the number, practice this on your own. If you can do it correctly and
effectively, then put a check mark in the box. If you are struggling with it, be resourceful, use your notes, and
then ask for help if needed. Put a check mark in the box when you are able to complete the task correctly.
STAR = Is a tested LO!
1.
1.
Locate China on a variety of maps.
2. Explain how the geography of China impacted the civilizations.
Geographical Feature
Rivers (Huang)
Plain
Plateau (Tibetan)
Hills
Mountains (Himalayas)
Impact on the people
 Flood destroyed homes and farmland China
created levees
 provided fertile farmland to grow surplus
of food (loess = silt in China)
 large space good for farming
 Double cropping (two different crops on
same land in one year) grow surplus of food
 Near river = benefits from river
 Isolation and protection from invaders
 Large open space for farming and herding
animals
 nomadic people
 had to build terraces to create flatter
land for farming
 Protected China from invaders
 isolated China from rest of world
3. Explain why the Huang River is called the “Yellow River.”
The Huang River is called the Yellow River because it is full of
yellow silt called loess. The yellow loess from the desert mixes in
the river and eventually floods and makes the land fertile.
4.
Explain how “China’s Sorrow” is both beneficial and disastrous to the people.
Beneficial:
Food (fish) from river, drinking water, fertile land for the people to
farm creates a surplus of food, which leads to specialization of jobs,
and creation of strong civilizations.
Disastrous: flooding can kill people, damage crops and homes.
5.
Explain how the Chinese learned to control the Huang River.
Chinese invented LEVEES (walls) to hold the river back and stop the
flooding.
6.
Identify and describe the contributions of the Shang, Zhou, Qin, and Han dynasties.
Major Ancient Chinese Dynasties
First
Shang
Dynasty recorded
dynasty
1760-1500
BC
 first written records found on oracle
bones & shells
 use of bronze for tools & weapons
 development of silk weaving
 use of wheeled chariots for warfare
 farming was a way of life
Longest of
Zhou
Dynasty dynasties
Lasted
more than
800 years
1027-221
BC
 use of iron for tools & weapons
 development of a system of money
 creation of large scale irrigation and
flood control projects built levees
 silk impact good for trading
 Known as “Golden Age”
Lasted for
Qin
Dynasty 20 years
Led by
emperor
Qin, known
as Shi
Huangdi




206 BC Han
Dynasty 220 AD






building of the Great Wall began
First emperor (Qin Shi Huang Di)
China was unified
the people were oppressed under
harsh rulers
 ban on books
 Standardized system of: weights,
221-206 BC
Measurement and money
building of new roads
lifting of ban on books
taxes on goods that were traded
extending the Great Wall
recording history books
civil service test to work for
government
 inventing paper, ink, and porcelain
 creating trade routes to India and
Persia know as the Silk Road
 Buddhism brought back from Persia
7. A Dynasty is: A ruling family in a type of Monarchy government
Type of
Government
Describe it
Who leads?
 run by a king
 hereditary rule usually
Monarchy:
passed down from father to
son
How organized?
 power in hands of one ruler
 little power for most people
Impact on life of an average
person in ancient times
 Stability; people knew their
place in society
 Structured – social
order/ranking
 Few human rights
 Little chance of change in
social ranking
 Most people had no voice in
government
8. Explain the main teachings of Confucianism and the influence that it had on Chinese
culture. (BE ABLE TO APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF CONFUCIANISM BELIEFS AND
KNOW AT LEAST 3 IMPACTS CONFUCIANISM HAD ON ANCIENT PEOPLE’S DAILY LIFE)
*Confucianism is not a religion it is a belief system*
Began:
-
Confucianism began with Confucius also known as: “Master Kung”
Beliefs:
Three main virtues of Confucianism
1. Humanity:
-respect for all human life.
2. Respect for family:
-Elders are respected above all
3. Humility:
-to be modest or humble to not brag.
The Middle Way:
-people should make balanced decisions
- (cowardice BRAVERY  reckless)
Accept role in society:
- ruler/ subject
- parent/ child
- noble/ peasant
- be please with your place
Mandate of Heaven:
-Rulers given the divine right to govern that comes from “heaven”
-Believed that rulers should honor their subjects and that subjects should honor their rulers.
Books of Confucianism:
Analects:
-A collection of sayings by Confucius that were written down by his students.
-These sayings give advice to people who want to do the right thing.
10. Identify the legacy or lasting accomplishments of the ancient Chinese.
NEED TO KNOW:
 Silk Road: only route to connect with rest of world, trade route
 Civil Service: an exam to use each person’s skills and talents to
 Great Wall of China: defensive wall to keep Northern invaders out
 standardized money, weights, and measurement: having
equivalent measurements to have same measurement everywhere

Levees: walls built along river to keep river from flooding

Silk: made from silk worm fibers woven into cloth

Confucianism: The teachings of Confucius teaches the Golden Rule:
treat others the way you would like to be treated, respect for all,
take the middle way, accept position in society and be humble.
 Terrace: farmers carved flat steps into hills to farm on
Nice to know or also in other part of Study Guide:
 Daoism/Taoism: Belief system in finding Dao or the way of the
universe, People should live in harmony with nature.
 Feng Shui: arranging furniture in homes to allow positive energy to
flow throughout the home
 Tai Chi – stretching to enhance balance and strength
 Yin/Yang – balance of all things
 Porcelain: fine china
 Paper:
 Middlemen: people who go between buyers and sellers
 work
in the government,
anyoneYOUR
who passes can work for
gov.
Key Term
GPIERS
Define
in
Notes
YOUR words
 Bronze: metalCategory
made tools & weapons
 Pictographs/Calligraphy: Chinese character writing
Analects
Civil Service
A collection of sayings by
Confucius that were written down
by his students.
-These sayings give advice to
people who want to do the right
thing.
an exam to use each person’s
skills and talents to work in the
government, anyone who passes
can work for gov.
walls built along river to keep
river from flooding
levees
Mandate of
Heaven
Rulers given the divine right to
govern that comes from “heaven”
-Believed that rulers should honor
their subjects and that subjects
should honor their rulers
trade route that connected China
to rest of the world
Silk Road
A Ruling family
Dynasty