Physical Geography
1. Name two major rivers in Ancient China.
2. Which river was the site of the earliest Chinese civilization?
1. Yellow River
Yangtze River
2. Yangtze
Note to know for your test: both of these rivers contributed to the movement of people and goods!!
Which modern country is the core of Ancient China?
China
Who founded Confucianism?
Confucius
Name one achievement of the Qin Dynasty.
Standardized weights/measures, Great Wall, legal code, currency standardization, unify China
What is the Mandate of Heaven?
an ancient Chinese belief that heaven gave emperors the divine right to rule their people
The emperor serves as the son of heaven, the connection between the divine and the physical world
What mountain ranges or deserts helped protect China from invasions?
(List at least 2)
Himalayas
Gobi Desert
Kunlun Shan Mountains
Name one neighboring region or country of Ancient China.
Mongolia, Korea (N/S), Japan, Vietnam
List the main beliefs of Confucianism
Respect for elders, filial piety, proper behavior, social harmony
Name one major achievement of the Han Dynasty
Expansion of Silk Road, paper invention, civil service exams
How did the Mandate of Heaven justify a new ruler taking power?
If rulers were corrupt or failed, a new ruler could claim the Mandate
How did geography affect where people settled in China?
Rivers provided water and fertile soil; mountains/deserts limited settlement areas
Which dynasty first unified China under a central government after the Warring States Period?
Qin Dynasty
Who founded Legalism?
Han Feizi
Name one key achievement of the Tang Dynasty
Tang poetry, block printing, law code, landscape painting
Which dynasty was ruled by the Mongols?
Yuan
How did China’s natural barriers impact its culture and development?
They limited outside influence, encouraged unique cultural development, and protected China from invasions.
During which dynasty did the Silk Road expand? (For the first time)
Han Dynasty
What did Legalists believe was necessary to maintain order?
Strong laws, harsh punishments
Name one key achievement of the Song Dynasty
Gunpowder, compass, movable type printing, economic growth
What was China’s most profitable trade item for centuries?
Silk
Using cardinal directions, where is Korea in relation to Japan and China?
Korea is west of Japan and east of China
Put these dynasties in chronological order:
Ming
Song
Tang
Yuan
Tang → Song → Yuan → Ming
Who founded Daoism? What is one main idea of Daoism?
Laozi
Live in harmony with the Dao, focus on nature and simplicity, keep peace
Name one achievement of the Ming dynasty
Forbidden City, Zheng He voyages, porcelain
What did Qin Shi Huangdi do to unify China?
Started to build the Great Wall of China
Built the Grand Canal to connect trade rivers
Created currency to use in trade
Built roads across the empire