Geography and Maps
Ancient China first developed a long this specific river valley, also known as the "Yellow River"
The Huang He River
These turtle shells or pieces of bone were used to communicate with spirits, God's, and ancestors
Oracle Bones
Bronze is a strong metal made of 90% copper and 10% of this other metal
Tin
This is the Zhou belief that a ruler was given the right to rule by the gods
The Mandate of Heaven
This system of government is based on land ownership, where classes do something for each other in return for reward
Feudalism
This massive mountain range acts as a southwest barrier between China and India
The Himalayas
Instead of letters representing sounds, the Shang used these simple pictures to represent words or ideas
Pictographs
This beast-like decorative mask with large eyes and fangs was often carved into Shang bronze vessels
A Taotie mask
True or False: To keep the Mandate of Heaven, a ruler must be virtuous and good
True
Under the Zhou, which social class was given land in return for their loyalty and service to the emperor?
The Nobles (Feudal Lords)
Name the two deserts that helped isolate China from other regions
The Gobi Desert and the Taklimakan Desrt
How did priests get a message back from the gods? (Describe the physical process)
The bone was heated until it cracked; priests then interpreted the cracks as messages.
Around 600 BCE, this metal began to be used for weapons, making it easier for people to fight against feudal lords
Iron
In the "Dynastic Cycle," what usually happens right before a dynasty loses the Mandate (Phase 4)?
Huge, unsolvable problems occur, such as natural disasters or invasions
This violent period of power struggles between seven states occurred between 475 BCE and 221 BCE
The Warring States Period
This feature is located southwest of the Kunlun Mountains and the Gobi Desert; it is one of China's borders but is not considered a geographic barrier.
The Tibetan Plateau
Describe the relationship between oracle bones and the modern Chinese language.
DAILY DOUBLE!
Why is it not certain that the Xia dynasty—the "first" dynasty—ever actually existed?
Symbols (pictographs) etched onto the bones eventually evolved into modern Chinese characters.
DAILY DOUBLE!
Because there is currently no evidence of its existence.
List four different types of items the Shang people created using bronze.
Any four of: Weapons, tools, household items (bowls/containers), decorative items (vases/masks), jewelry, or musical instruments.
Unlike other systems of royalty, the Mandate of Heaven did not have to be passed down in this specific way.
It did not have to be passed down through families.
Why did the commoners and slaves farm the land for the lords under the feudal system?
To receive protection from the lords.
Name the two seas listed as geographic barriers that led to China's isolation from other regions.
The Japanese Sea and the Yellow Sea
Why did the Shang people highly respect their families and carry on the traditions of their ancestors?
They believed their ancestors were wise and would help them make good decisions.
How did the rise of the "Bronze Age" influence the economy and the development of jobs?
It created a need for organized labor and new jobs like miners, potters (to make containers for/out of bronze), and weavers (to clothe the miners).
During Phase 3 of the Dynastic Cycle, what two things start to happen to the government and the people?
The government becomes corrupt and the people become unhappy.
Give two specific reasons why the Zhou dynasty eventually ended.
Any two of: 1) Rulers lacked direct authority over individual kingdoms, 2) Feudal lords became too powerful and stopped following commands, 3) Invasions from the north, or 4) The Iron Age made it easier for people to rebel.