Topic 5; Ancient China; Lesson 1-2
Democracy
A type of government in which the people have the power to elect their leaders. Much different from Divine Right and the Mandate of Heaven that the Ancient Chinese believed in
divination
foretelling the future by means of magic; Ancient Shang Shamans did this by using oracle bones
Loess
yellowish dust that blows into the Huang River (Yellow River) and when the river floods it provides fertile soil for farming in the Huang Valley
Pictograph
a picture that represents a word or an idea
Dynasty
a ruling family of rulers, especially in China
Logograph
a symbol that represents a word or group of words
Dike
a wall to hold back water
Oracle Bones
animal bones or shells that were written on to predict the future in Ancient China; questions were written on these bones and emperors or priests would heat them up and use them to read the future
Achievements of the Shang
bronze metal-working, jade carvings, jade jewelry, a calendar system, silk, and pottery
Chang River
Also known Yangtze River; the longest river in China; flows from the Tibetan Plateau and empties into the East China Sea
Huang River
Also known as the Yellow River; 2nd longest river in China it begins in the Tibetan Plateau and flows east emptying into the Yellow Sea
Huang Valley
Chinese civilization began in this geographical region over 7,000 years ago; circa 5000 BCE
Flag of China
The red in the flag symbolizes revolution. The large star symbolizes communism and the little stars represent the Chinese people. The position of the stars represents the unity of the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party.
Chinese inventions
silk, paper, porcelain, gunpowder, iron plow, kung-fu, noodles, compass, acupuncture
Geography of China
similar in size (4th largest) to the United States (3rd largest); Himalayas to the south, the Gobi Desert to the north, the Tibetan Plateau in the west, and the Pacific Ocean to the East
Challenge
something that is difficult or demanding to do; example: collaborating with your Team 6D House to earn points each day
Mandate of Heaven
the belief that the Chinese king's right to rule came from the gods and heaven
Divine Right
the belief that the authority of kings comes directly from God or Heaven
Shang Dynasty
the first recorded Chinese dynasty; Settled and began farming in the Huang Valley (circa 1600 BCE)
Chinese New Year
the most important Chinese holiday, lasts up to 15 days and is celebrated in January or February depending on the first full moon in the new year; also known as the Spring Festival
Zhou Dynasty
the second dynasty of Ancient China; the longest lasting Chinese dynasty, during which the use of iron tools and weapons were introduced.
Interpret
to explain or be able to give the meaning of something