Ancient China Existed more than 500,000 years ago Before Sumerians were settling Mesopotamia,...
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Ancient China • Existed more than 500,000 years ago • Before Sumerians were settling Mesopotamia, Chinese farming settlements were developing along rivers
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Transcript of Ancient China Existed more than 500,000 years ago Before Sumerians were settling Mesopotamia,...
Ancient China
• Existed more than 500,000 years ago• Before Sumerians were settling
Mesopotamia, Chinese farming settlements were developing along rivers
What is the difference between a settlement and a civilization?
QUICK WRITE 3 min
Hint: Refer to “Civilization” notes.
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
Taklimakan Desert
Himalayas
Borders the Ocean
What Were the River Systems?• Two major rivers:–Huang He River (“Yellow River”) – Northern
China– Yangtze River – Central China – Loess: yellow silt
What Were the Environmental Challenges?
• Devastating floods – “China’s Sorrow”• No/limited trade• Constant northwest invasions
How Did the Environment Aide Civilization?
• Between two rivers – North China Plain – was very suitable for farming
• Fertile soil, water supply
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
Anyang
• City walls protected higher classes• Peasants, craftspeople lived in huts outside
the city • Frequently at war
What Do the Indus, Egypt, China, and Mesopotamia Have in Common?
QUICK WRITE3 min
