Medieval China: Geography and Government

Medieval China: Geography and Government (review)

January 4

Rivers and the North China Plain

Perhaps the two most important geographical features of Ancient China were the two major rivers that flowed through central China: the Yellow River to the north and the Yangtze River to the south. These major rivers were a great source of fresh water, food, fertile soil, and transportation. They also were the subjects of Chinese poetry, art, literature, and folklore. 

Open Ended

Why do you think the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers were the subject of art and poetry?

Where It All Started

The Yellow River is often called the "cradle of Chinese civilization." It was along the banks of the Yellow river where the Chinese civilization first formed. The Yellow River is 3,395 miles long making it the sixth longest river in the world. Early Chinese farmers built small villages along the Yellow River. The rich yellow colored soil was good for growing a grain called millet. The farmers of this area also raised sheep and cattle.  The Yellow River also has the name "China's Sorrow" because of the terrible floods that have occurred throughout history when its banks overflowed.

Multiple Choice

The fertile soil around the Yellow River was perfect for growing which grain?

• wheat

• rice

• millet

• barley

Multiple Choice

What did the text say was negative of living along the Yellow River?

• The yellow soil stained everything.

• The river flooded, killing and destroying.

• Invaders could easily travel and conquer.

The Yangtze

The Yangtze River is south of the Yellow River and is 3,988 miles long, the 3rd longest river in the world. Just like the Yellow River, the Yangtze played an important role in the development of the Chinese culture and civilization.  Farmers that lived along the Yangtze River took advantage of the warm climate and rainy weather to grow rice. This region became known as the North China Plain and was some of the most important and wealthy land in all of Ancient China.

Fill in the Blank

In the North China Plain, farmers could easily grow _________ due to the warm, rainy climate.

China's Natural Boarders = Isolation

To the south and southeast of China are the Himalaya Mountains. These are the highest mountains in the world. They provided a nearly impassable border for Ancient China. To the north and west of Ancient China were two of the world's largest deserts: the Gobi Desert and the Taklamakan Desert. These natural boarders kept the China isolated from many other civilizations.

Open Ended

China did not have much contact with other civilizations for a long time due to mountains and deserts. Below, list ONE benefit of isolation and ONE negative of isolation:

The Mandate of Heaven:

Why and How did Chinese Dynasties rise and fall?

Open Ended

Look at the chart "Dynastic Cycle." List TWO reasons below that a dynasty might lose the favor of heaven and be overthrown:

Aristocracy

How could emperors be sure that they chose the best people for leadership positions?

Earlier emperors answered this question in different ways. Some chose members of the aristocracy to help them govern.  But simply being wealthy did not make a good leader.

To improve the bureaucracy, Han emperors created civil service examinations. Candidates took long tests to qualify for office. 

The tests were supposedly open to all. In reality, only the wealthy could afford tutors, books, and time to study. As a result, aristocrats held almost all offices in the early dynasties.

Meritocracy

The Song relied on civil service exams and opened them up to far more candidates. In this way, they created a meritocracy.

This new teaching blended the teachings of Confucius with elements of Buddhism and Daoism (two traditional religions in China).

Confucius taught that people must act properly in five important relationships. Song emperors and scholars believed that officials who had studied Confucius would be rational, moral, and able to maintain order.

Under the Song, people from lower classes gained the ability to become scholar-officials. They could attend the new state-supported schools and go on to the university.

Only a small proportion of candidates passed the difficult exams.  

Multiple Choice

In the Tang aristocracy, why did the wealthy continue to hold most offices (even though "anyone" could take an exam for a position?)

• The wealthy could afford to bribe their way into office.

• The poor didn't have the time or money to study.

• The wealthy were given easier tests.

• The poor hated the upper class and didn't want to lead.

Multiple Select

According to emporers and scholars, knowledge of Confucius would produce what type of leader? check all that apply:

• rational

• moral

• ambitious

• able to maintain order