Mrs. Wheeler
Copy the objective: I will be able to explain the geography, early
civilization and importance of family in ancient China.
 Predict if each of the following statements will be true or false and
explain why:
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 The ancient Chinese feared beasts known as dragons.
 China’s Huang River, also called the “Yellow River,” is the muddiest
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river in the world.
The ancient Chinese called the Huang River “China’s Sorrow” because
it was so unpredictable and often dangerous.
In ancient China, a person’s first responsibility was always to the state.
The eldest male in the Chinese family decided who his children and
grandchildren would marry.
The Chinese were the first people known to use two names.
After you read come back to the bellringer to check your answer
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Read & take Cornell Notes on the following
cues:
 Chinese Dragon (Introduction)
 The Geography of Ancient China
 Early Civilization in China
 The Importance of Family
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How did the Huang River affect ancient Chinese
civilization?
What do you think ancient China had in common with the
ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and India?
What was the first known civilization in China?
Describe the importance of China’s first civilization. What
effect do you think it had on later civilizations in ancient
China?
Describe the importance of family in early China.
In ancient China, members of an extended family often
lived together in one home. How do you think the ancient
Chinese benefited from their family structure?
Suppose you were a member of an ancient Chinese family.
Write a description of what you life would have been like.
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Which best describes the climate of the northern part of China?
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How did early Chinese people try to control the floods of a major river?
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A. cool and dry
B. hot and dry
C. cool and moist
D. warm and wet
A. They tried to change the path of the river
B. They blocked tributaries flowing into the river
C. They dug large ditches next to the river
D. They built dikes along the banks of the river.
Which was most important in early Chinese society?
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A. the individual
B. the family
C. the country
D. other countries
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Which statement best describes the role of women in
early China?
 A. The youngest women held the most power in their
families
 B. Women chose whom their children would marry
 C. Women owned the land, men controlled the money
 D. Women obeyed their fathers, husbands, and sons
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In China, using the family name first shows
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A. your occupation
B. the importance of family
C. your title
D. your role in the family
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Respected spirit,
friendly beast that
brings good luck,
connected to rivers
which makes the
fields fertile
 Describe the rivers as
dragons
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North China Plain
 Which best describes the climate
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of the northern part of China?
A. cool and dry
B. hot and dry
C. cool and moist
D. warm and wet
South China Sea
 What is the climate?
 monsoons bring rain, warm and
North China Plain
wet
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No knowledge of other
civilizations
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believed they lived in the center
of the world
▪ Middle Kingdom
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Most early civilizations grew around rivers
China’s rivers flooded each spring - topsoil
 2 imp Chinese rivers
▪ Huang He (Yellow River)
▪ Begins in Tibet and empties into Yellow Sea – 3,000 miles
▪ Muddiest river in world
▪ What makes the river muddy?
 Loess – good for growing crops
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Chang Jiang (Yangzi River)
How did the early Chinese people try to control the floods of a major
river?
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A. They tried to change the path of the river
B. hey blocked tributaries flowing into the river
C. They dug large ditches next to the river
D. The built dikes along the banks of the river
“China’s Sorrow” – unpredictable and sometimes dangerous floods
▪ dikes
Shang dynasty – first
known civilization in
China, built first
cities, finest bronze
work, first Chinese
writing (video)
 What is the picture
showing?
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Zhou dynasty
 Lived very close to the Shang, conquered
Shang, ruled for 1000 yrs (early western and
later eastern), warring states began
 What is the Mandate of Heaven?
 Rulers came to power because
of destiny or fate
Zhou Wen Wang, father first leader, Zhou dynasty.
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Which was most important in early Chinese society?
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A. the individual
B. the family
C. the country
D. other countries
Extended family lived together
Which statement best describes the role of women in early
China?
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A. The youngest women held the most power in their families
B. Women chose whom their children would marry
C. Women owned the land, men controlled the money
D. Women obeyed their fathers, husbands, and sons.
Lower status than men
Four virtues: morality, modesty, proper speech, and domestic skills
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First to use 2 names
 ex: Mao, Chan, Lu
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What factors determined a person’s status
within early Chinese families?
 Age, gender – oldest man had the most privileges
and power