2. Learning Objectives
01 Discuss the Geography and Timeline of Ancient China
02
Locate on a modern map: China, Mongolia, Huang He and
Yangtze Rivers, East China Sea, South China Sea and the Gobi
Desert.
03 Discuss the Dynastic Cycle and its mechanism
6. • Chinese civilization grew between Yellow river (Huang-He)
and Yangtze river (Anyang/ Chang Jiang).
• These two major rivers dominated Chinese civilization.
• They flow west to east.
• Why Yellow river is called Yellow?
• Due to fertile yellow soil/silt which clouded the plain of
river.
• Extremely fertile in nature.
• Yellow river also called as China’s Sorrow due to its massive
flooding, which was not only beneficial but also terrible in
killing and destruction (like river Nile).
Yellow river (Huang-He) and Yangtze river
(Anyang/ Chang Jiang)
7. • Ancient China dates back from 1523 BC to 221 BC
• Isolated geography
• Chinese believed that they were center of earth
and source of all civilizations
• In south and southwest, surrounded by Tien Shan
(Tibet) and Himalayan range, respectively.
• In north, Gobi Desert of Mongolia.
Geography of China’s River &
Valleys
12. Concepts of Dynasty, Dynastic
Cycle & Mandate of Heaven
• Line of rulers from a single family –
Dynasty (like Egypt)
• Dynastic Cycle: If a dynasty does not rule
sufficiently and people and gods are not happy
with it, the rule would transfer to another family
and will create new Dynasty.
• Justified the rise, decline and replacement of
dynasties in Ancient China.
• Mandate of Heaven: Right to Rule, which
dynasties acquire through gods’ approval.
13. • Reading material and Images
- Glance of World History: Journey Across Time, The Early Ages – Kentucky Edition
Chapter 7: Early China
- Ancient China: From the Neolithic Period to the Han Dynasty
• Web
https://www.ancient.eu/china/
https://www.history.com/tag/ancient-china
https://www.timemaps.com/civilizations/ancient-china/
• YouTube Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErRFw3DUA4g
Resources and References
