Name ____________________________________ Date _____________ Period ______
Chapter 3 Study Guide
The Late Bronze Age in the Eastern Hemisphere
(focus on China), 2200-500 BCE
Learning Objectives
After reading the chapter and completing this study guide, you should be able to explain:
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How geography affected the development of Chinese civilization, particularly on
the North China Plain.
The similarities and differences between ancient China and the earlier river valley
civilizations.
The basic beliefs of three Chinese belief systems: Legalism, Confucianism, and
Daoism.
Pre-Reading Activities
Before you begin reading, practice the following pre-reading strategies, which will help
you understand and remember what you read.
Read the Conclusion
When I’m reading a novel, I’m one of those crazy people who often reads the ending
first. Let’s try this for a textbook. Turn to page 79, read the conclusion to chapter 3, and
list one or two main ideas for each paragraph (there are 7 paragraphs).
Survey
Now, turn back to page 55. Let’s use the “4Ps” reading strategy.
 PREVIEW text features: Skim through pages 55-64 and look quickly at headings,
boldface words, pictures, maps, and the timeline. What did you discover about
this reading?
 Set a PURPOSE: Scan the objectives (above) and questions (below) in the study
guide. What kinds of information will you be looking for as you read?
 PREDICT: Based on your survey, what do you think you will be reading about in
this selection?
 Access PRIOR KNOWLEDGE: Make a quick brainstorming list of everything
you already know about – China, bronze, ancient river valley civilizations,
Chinese religions
Now you’re ready to read from beginning to end!
Reading Notes
Answer the following questions in your journal as you read. You may answer in outline
form, in sentences, or using charts, illustrations, or diagrams. Make sure to include
enough details to make this a useful study tool for our spring review!
Day 1: pages 55-64, China
Key terms: heterogeneous, cosmopolitan, rice paddies, metallurgy, aristocracy,
divination, Mandate of Heaven, decentralized, autonomy, hierarchy,
Kongzi (Confucius)
Questions:
1. After looking at the maps on pages 56 and 30 and reading about China’s
geography, explain why Chinese agriculture and civilization around the Huang He
(Yellow River) developed without help from the earlier river valley civilizations
discussed in Chapter 2.
2. Like the river valley civilizations we read about in Chapter 2, Chinese civilization
developed in difficult conditions (dry and unpredictable climate). Why do
complex civilizations tend to develop under these conditions?
3. How is China under the Shang dynasty similar to ancient Egypt? How is it
different?
4. Why is the Chinese writing system, developed during the Shang period, unique
today?
5. Describe the Mandate of Heaven and why it was important. Spend some time on
this – it is a key concept that you must understand to truly understand Chinese
history.
6. Although they claimed they were barbarians, what important technologies and
military tactics did the Chinese learn from the northwestern nomads? Why should
we be cautious when we read Chinese sources referring to the nomads of
Mongolia as “barbarians”?
7. List the main beliefs of Legalism.
8. List the main beliefs of Confucianism.
9. List the main beliefs of Daoism (sometimes spelled Taoism).
10. How might the development of the three-generation family as the basic social unit
and the concept of private property have contributed to the inferior status of
women in China?