Geography
What are the two rivers that border the subcontinent of India?
The Ganges and the Indus
Harappan cities were considered advanced because they had:
They were planned cities which were built according to a design. They were surrounded by brick protective walls and had sewage system.
Describe oracle bones
Animal bones or shells used by the Shang kings to communicate with the gods
Where did the Silk Road travel from?
From China to Mesopotamia and Europe
Explain how the religion of Hinduism developed
Hinduism grew out of the early Brahmanism of the Aryans. Hindus came to worship many deities whom they consider to be part of one universal God.
Describe the geography of Ancient China
Surrounded by isolated barriers- By seas, deserts, mountain ranges, ad rivers.
What number system did Indian mathematicians invent?
Estimated the value of pi, decimal system, and the symbol for zero.
What is the Mandate of Heaven?
Ancient Chinese belief that a good ruler had the gods’ approval
What is cultural diffusion?
Spread of cultural practices and customs to other areas of the world
Describe reincarnation
rebirth of a soul in another body
What are monsoons? How did they impact India?
Monsoons are seasonal wind systems which shaped India’s climate. They produce a wet or dry season in a region, sometimes with heavy rainfalls. The summer monsoon provides rain for India’s crops, but these rains can also cause severe floods.
Describe the golden age of the Guptas
The golden age happened under the rule of Chandra Gupta II and that is where they experienced a time of great accomplishment. Their Indian arts flourished which included art, architecture, literature, mathematics, metal working and science all flourished under Chandra Gupta II.
Explain the Chinese Philosophy of Daoism
Daoism=Chinese belief system said to have begun with Laozi, a philosopher in 500 BC based on the idea of natural order in the world. Nature is governed by a universal force, and humans should try to live in harmony with it.
What kinds of things were traded on the Silk Road by the Chinese?
Cultural ideas were spread along with silk, paper, jade, and pottery (from China).
Describe the impact of Hinduism because of Buddhism
many people could not read the hymns of praise to the deities of Vishnu and Shiva which were written in Sanskirt. So they rewrote them in a language they could understand allowing Hinduism to regrow and Buddhism was pushed off to other countries in Asia (China).
Describe the physical geography of India:
Surrounded by the two rivers (Ganges and Indus) and were surrounded by the Himalayas which are the highest mountains in the world.
Who were Brahmans? Untouchables? What is the rest of the social class chart?
Social Classes:
Brahmans= Priests, scholars, and teachers.
Ksatriya= rulers, nobles, and warriors.
Vaisya= bankers, farmers, and merchants
Sudra= Artisans and laborer
***Centuries Later came the untouchables they did undesirable things such as disposing of dead bodies***
Explain the Chinese philosophy of Confucianism
Confucianism- Belief system based on the teachings of Confucius, a Chinese scholar (clear family and social roles= avoid conflict and live peacefully)
What is the Silk Road?
Overland trade routes along which silk and other Chinese goods passed.
How did Buddhism influence Asoka as a ruler?
He decided to rule peacefully by law and gave up constant warfare, he sent out missionaries to spread Buddhism, he tolerated other religions, he posted laws in public places and he improved conditions for travelers.
What is the river area called in India? Between the two rivers?
**Saraswati river area**
What economic activities allowed for Harappan civilization to begin along the Indus and Saraswati rivers?
Aryans were herders and warriors, spoke a different language, and were nomadic.
Explain the Chinese philosophies of Legalism
Legalism- Belief that a powerful, efficient government and a strict legal system are the keys to social order
What kind of things were traded TO China from the Silk Road?
From the west included sesame seeds and oil, metals, and precious stones and Central Asian horses.
What is Nirvana? What leads to Nirvana?
The Eightfold Path leads to Nirvana. Nirvana- the end of suffering and breaking the cycle of reincarnation