Aim: How much did geography influence early river valley civilizations in China and India?

1. Aim: How much did geography influence early river valley civilizations in China and India? Do Now: Using the photos, how do you think farmers in India and China improvised according to their environment? China Indus River Valley, Modern Day Pakistan NY State Standards 2, 3 Common Core Standards RS 2, 5, 7

2. I Geography of India A) India is so large that it is often called a subcontinent. B) Its main mountain ranges are the Hindu Kushand the Himalayas. Mt Everest, the tallest mountain in the world is part of the Himalayas. C) India’s main rivers are the Indus and Ganges. D) In southern India is the Deccan Plateau. It is extremely hot and dry. E) India depends on monsoons: seasonal winds that bring rain. The monsoons are necessary to farm on the dry Deccan Plateau, but they also bring a risk of floods. Recall that a plateau is a flat topped mountain.

4. Indian Monsoons The monsoons allow farmers on the Deccan Plateau to farm, and help ships to travel with the winds. The downside is that if the rains are too much, they can cause massive flooding.

5. II Indus River Valley Civilizations2500 – 1500 BCE • Harappaand Mohenjo-Daro were “twin” cities that developed in the Indus River Valley by 2500 BCE. • Both were planned cities; the buildings and streets were laid out on a grid. • Both were polytheistic. • Both had a system of writing that is still undeciphered. • Both had bronze tools, a plumbing system, and flush toilets! • In 1500 BCE the Aryansconquered the Indus River Valley. Recall that they were Caucasian nomads whose beliefs combined with the natives of the Indus River Valley, leading to the religion of Hinduism. On the left is an example of Harappan writing. Does it resemble any other form of writing that you already know?

7. Harappa; a Planned City

8. Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro is believed to be one of the earliest known public water reservoirs!

9. III Geography of China A) China has many natural barriers 1. Pacific Ocean (West) 2. Himalayan Mountains (Southwest) 3. Gobi Desert (North). *These barriers led to China being isolated* Due to this isolation, China believed it was the Middle Kingdom, or center of civilization. B) China’s main rivers are 1. Xi 2. Huang He (Yellow) 3. Yangtze Like in Egypt and Mesopotamia, the Chinese built dikes and dams to better control the Yellow River.

11. Geography of China Continued… C) China grows rice in the south, due to a warmer and wetter climate. D) China grows wheat in the north, due to a colder and drier climate. Terraced Farming: Chinese rice farmers cut steps into the mountains. This way, the water will be better distributed.

12. IV Shang Dynasty 1650 – 1027 BCE A) The Shang developed a civilization near the Yellow River. B) Army of 30,000 soldiers C) Produced bronze tools and weapons, as well as silk (a delicate fabric made from silkworm cocoons) D) The Shang were animists E) Earliest evidence of Chinese writing was Oracle Boneswritten on turtle shells.

13. V Zhou Dynasty 1027 – 256 BCE A) 1027 BCE the Zhou Dynasty conquered the Shang B) Created a feudal government;landlords allowed peasants (poor farmers) to live on the land in exchange for loyalty and manual labor. C) Produced iron tools and weapons

14. Zhou Dynasty Continued… D) Developed the idea of rulers having the Mandate of Heaven: approval of the gods to rule (divine right). E) The Mandate of Heaven was used to explain the Dynastic Cycle.

15. The Four Ancient River Valley Civilizations

17. Key Vocabulary • Deccan Plateau • Dynastic Cycle • Ganges River • Gobi Desert • Harappa • Himalayas • Hindu Kush • Huang He (Yellow) River • Indus River • Mandate of Heaven • Mohenjo-Daro • Monsoons • Mt. Everest • Oracle Bones • Shang Dynasty • Terrace Farming • Xi River • Yangtze River • Zhou Dynasty