Early Chinese Civilizations

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• Early Chinese Civilizations

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I. Geography of China

• A. Fertile fields surround the two major rivers
• 1. Huang He (Yellow River, 2900 miles)
• 2. Chang Jiang (3400 miles)

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• B. Only 10 of Chinas land can be used for
  farming
• 1. The rest of China is mountains and deserts

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• C. China is isolated by its geography
• 1. Himalaya mountains
• 2. Gobi Desert

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II. The Family in Ancient China

• A. Filial Piety- the duty of family members to
  put the needs of the male head of the family
  ahead of their own
• B. Children were needed for field work
• C. Males were considered superior to females
• 1. They provided food, governed society, were
  warriors, and worked fields
• 2. Women raised children and worked in the home

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• D. Elders were respected and children were
  expected to take care of parents

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The New Dynasty

• Restores peace
• Gives land back to peasants
• Repairs walls, roads, canals

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• After several years, then new dynasty becomes the
  aging dynasty

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The Aging Dynasty

• Corrupt officials
• High Taxes to pay for the dynastys luxuries
• Lets walls, bridges, ect. decay

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• The aging dynasty loses the mandate of heaven

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Problems

• Peasant rebellion and riots
• Floods, famine and earthquakes
• invasions

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• The new dynasty claims the mandate of heaven

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Mandate of Heaven

• Heaven granted a ruler the right to rule,
  therefore, the people must be loyal. If the
  ruler becomes corrupt, he loses the mandate and
  the people can rebel