Dynasties of China

• • The coastal region of China contain the best agricultural lands as well as access to the Pacific Ocean, making it much easier to live on rather than the interior of the country which is dominated by deserts and other harsh geographic features.

  • Many early civilizations developedirrigation systems to further take advantage of their river. This adaptationallowed these civilizations to grow and flourish.

206 BC-25 AD: Former Han Dynasty (beginnings of official state Confucianism)

25-220 AD: Later Han Dynasty (rise of Chinese Empire; imperial state religion; Confucianism established as the official philosophy of the Chinese state; the coming of Buddhism)

The civil service system

960-1279 Song (Sung) Dynasty

1279-1368 Yuan Dynasty

Ming Dynasty 1368-1644

• After almost one hundred years of foreign rule by the Mongols, the Ming seized power and setup their own dynasty in 1368 CE.

• The Ming restored Confucian government and traditions to China.

• They experienced an economic revival due to great achievements in agricultural production through better farming methods.

• During the 1500’s, new crops brought over from the Americas, such as corn and sweet potatoes helped to increase food production. This resulted in over 100 million people in China during this time.

• Ming industry thrived producing large amounts of porcelain,paper, and tools.

• The canal system was renovated to increase trade and communication within China.

• New methods of printing led to an abundance of books, and an increase in the literacy rate.

Voyages of Zheng He 1405 – 1433

• Zheng He was a Chinese explorer that sailed along the coasts of S.E. Asia, India, and East Africa during the 15^th century.

• The Chinese established trade in these areas and spread their culture to the west. However, after Zheng He’s death in 1433, the Ming Emperor ordered all voyages stopped and trade with the outside world cut off. This was done to keep China free from foreign influence.

• This limited China’s development and made them an easy target for the more advanced Europeans in the coming years.

Link to article on travels of Admiral Zheng He

Documentary on the voyages of Admiral Zheng He

Copying the voyages of Zheng He

Link to blank map of the Easterh Hemisphere (trace the voyages of Zheng He)

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Below are practice questions from recent regents exams

• Use a variety of evidence

• Analyze primary documents

• Compare societies and regions

1.These actions help historians reconstruct a record of a society by

(1-Ag 13)

(1) focusing on traditional interpretations

(2) making use of multiple perspectives

(3) separating history from science

(4) relying on a single argument

2. What would a geographer conducting research be most likely to

do? (2-Ag 13)

(1) use carbon-14 to determine the age of artifacts

(2) analyze the reasons women vote for certain candidates

(3) observe the effects of wind patterns on regional trade

(4) design a survey to determine the online spending habits of young

people

3. One way in which the ancient Sumerians, Egyptians, and Chinese

are similar is that these civilizations developed (3-Ag 13)

(1) irrigation systems (3) wheeled vehicles

(2) iron weapons (4) block printing systems

4 What was one reason for the decline of both the Han dynasty and

the western Roman Empire? #5-Ju 13)

(1) outbreak of war between religious groups

(2) inability to force back foreign invaders

(3) efforts of the middle class to gain power

(4) lack of a common currency

5. The restoration of Chinese rule, the voyages of Zheng He, and

the reintroduction of civil service examinations are all

associated with the (#16-Ju 13)

(1) Ming dynasty (3) Songhai Empire

(2) Abbassid dynasty (4) Delhi sultanate

6. Oracle bones, Daoism, and the Mandate of Heaven are all

associated with early civilizations in (# 5-Ja 13)

(1) Egypt (2) Russia (3) India (4) China

7. One important impact of the Mongol expansion across Asia and

Europe was the (#11 - Ja 13)

(1) increased authority of the Kievan princes

(2) rise in trade along the Silk Roads

(3) introduction of Hinduism into Chinese culture

(4) maritime exploration of the Arabian seacoast

8. What does a topographic map show?

(1) climate regions (3) patterns of trade

(2) ethnic distributions (4) physical features

9. Which geographic feature did the earliest civilizations in Egypt,

India, and China have in common?

(1) mountains that provided protection from invasion

(2) rivers that increased the fertility of the land by flooding

(3) vast forests that supplied lumber for building

(4) tropical climates that included monsoons

10. One way in which the people of the Tibetan kingdom and the

people of the Inca Empire are similar is that they

(1) developed coastal ports

(2) adapted mountainous terrains

(3) designed ships to conduct global trade

(4) introduced camel caravans as their primary form of

transportation

11. During the Ming dynasty, why did China enjoy a favorable balance

of trade with Europe? (#17 -Ag'11)

(1) The Ming dynasty imported numerous manufactured goods from

Europe.

(2) China exported large quantities of opium to European traders.

(3) Chinese silk continued to be in high demand in Europe.

(4) The Ming dynasty paid tribute to European traders.

12. What is one way in which animism, Shinto, and Daoism are

similar?

(1) emphasis on harmony with nature

(2) monotheistic belief systems

(3) belief in the idea of nirvana

(4) reliance on the teachings of the Vedas

13. Which areas did the Mongols conquer and incorporate into their

empire?

(1) China, Russia, and Iran

(2) Axum, Zimbabwe, and West Africa

(3) Spain, France, and Egypt

(4) Japan, India, and eastern Europe

14. Use of terracing is an example of a society's reaction to

(#2-Ag'11)

(1) religious beliefs

(2) social stratification

(3) geographic conditions

(4) political situations

15. Which philosophy is most closely associated with the

development of the Chinese civil service system?

(1) legalism (3) Daoism

(2) Buddhism (4) Confucianism

• Kabul is the capital of Afghanistan.

• India borders Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh.

• Most of China's major cities are in the eastern part of the

country.

16. Which type of map would be most helpful in verifying all this

information?

(1) political (3) land use

(2) climate (4) population density

• Keeping field notes from excavation sites

• Analyzing radiocarbon dating test results

• Examining and cataloging artifacts

17. Which social scientist directly engages in these activities?

(# 1 Ag'11)

(1) political scientist (3) historian

(2) archaeologist (4) sociologist

18. Which geographic feature has helped isolate China? (#5-Ag'11)

(1) Andes Mountains

(2) Kalahari Desert

(3) Himalaya Mountains

(4) Great Rift Valley

19. The rule of Shi Huangdi, legalism, and the tomb of terra cotta

soldiers are most closely associated with the (Ag'11)

(1) Maurya Empire (3) Persian Empire

(2) Qin dynasty (4) Hellenistic culture

20. Before the use of the Silk Road, how did geography affect early

China?

1. The mountains and deserts in western and southwestern China

slowed the exchange of ideas.

2. The northwestern region provided many fertile areas suitable

for farming.

3. The three major river systems provided barriers against

invasion.

4. The lack of deep-water ports on the eastern coast prevented

China from developing trade with other nations.

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Copy these questions into Google Doc (your shared Global folder). Answer the questions in doc so that you have a copy of your responses, then copy and paste your responses into the Google form below.

1. Why was the Chou period a time of change and turmoil in China?

2. Why did Confucius think it was so important that people get along well together?

3. Why should the young obey the old?

4. Why did Confucius belief in a powerful emperor?

5. What did Chen think righteous behavior was?