Key Vocabulary to Know
The Dynasties of China
Inventions and Legacy
Geography of Ancient China
Beliefs and Philosophies
100

A line of rulers from the same family.

What is a dynasty?

100

The first emperor of China.

Who is Qin Shi Huangdi?

100

This invention utilized the power of a magnet.

What is the compass?

100

This river is also know as the Yellow River.

What is the Huang He River.

100

This belief system emphasizes living in harmony with nature.

What is Daoism?

200

Animal bones used to consult the many gods the Shang people worshipped.

What were oracle bones?

200

This dynasty was the first to emerge on the Huang He River around 1600 B.C.

What was the Shang dynasty?

200

These helped improve the efficiency of farming in ancient China.

What are the plow, the harness and the wheelbarrow?
200

This river is also known as the Yangtze River.

What is the Chang Jiang River?

200

The symbol often used in Daoism to show how seemingly opposite forces form a whole.

What is the Yin and Yang symbol?

300

The respect children owe their parents and ancestors.

What is filial piety?

300

The first dynasties of China.

What were the Shang and Zhou dynasties?

300

This invention was important to the development of fireworks, cannons, and guns.

What is gunpowder?

300

This mountain range separates China from the Indian subcontinent.

What are the Himalaya?

300

This religious leader formed a belief system that focused on the duties and responsibilities in five important relationships.

What is Confucianism?

400

Appointed officials that ran bureaus or offices of the government.

What is a bureaucracy?

400

A concept developed by the Zhou that said a king could rule only as long as the gods believed he was worthy.

What was the mandate of heaven?

400

One of the most valued and beautiful textiles or cloths manufactured in ancient China.

What is silk?

400

This ocean is to the east of China.

What is the Pacific Ocean?

400

This belief system or religion spread from India to China.

What is Buddhism?

500

Traders on the Silk Roads usually walked alongside camels and traveled in groups called these.

What are caravans?

500

A pattern of the rise and fall of dynasties in China.

What is the dynastic cycle?

500

The most important invention of the Han Dynasty which revolutionize the economy and trade.

What is the Chinese invention of paper?

500

Ancient civilizations including China arose along these geographical features.

What are fertile river valleys?

500

This belief emphasized order through strong government and strictly enforced laws.

What is legalism?

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