Ch 2 Early China, Nubia, Meroe, and The First Civilizations in the Americas

2000-221 B.C.E

Geography

Two major regions- steppe, desert, high plateau west, and northwest, and the eastern zone, which is suitable for agriculture.

Natural Resources- Timber, stone, metals Loess soil- North South- Rice

The Geography of China

Satellite View of Satellite View of ChinaChina

Satellite View of Satellite View of ChinaChina

China vs. the U. S. in China vs. the U. S. in SizeSize

China vs. the U. S. in China vs. the U. S. in SizeSize

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000250Miles

China

United States

Pacific “Rim of Fire”Pacific “Rim of Fire”Pacific “Rim of Fire”Pacific “Rim of Fire”

Bodies of WaterBodies of WaterBodies of WaterBodies of Water

Huang-He

River

Yellow Sea

Yangtze River

Pacific Ocean

Amur River

Xi River

SouthChinaSea

Sea of

Japan

The Polluted Yellow The Polluted Yellow River!River!

The Polluted Yellow The Polluted Yellow River!River!

The Great Wall of The Great Wall of ChinaChina

The Great Wall of The Great Wall of ChinaChina

Deserts & PlateausDeserts & PlateausDeserts & PlateausDeserts & Plateaus

Tibetan Plateau

Taklamakan Desert

Gobi Desert

Completed Completed Topographic MapTopographic Map

Completed Completed Topographic MapTopographic Map

Huang-He

RiverYellow

Sea

Yangtze River

Pacific Ocean

Amur River

Xi River

SouthChinaSea

Sea of

Japan

Tian Shan

Altai Mts. Greater Khingan

Kunlun Shan

Himalayan Mts.

Tibetan Plateau

Taklamakan Desert

Gobi Desert

Manchurian Plain

North China PlainTarim

Basin

Sichuan Basin

Shabdong PeninsulaGrand

Canal

Great Wall

CHUNG CHUNG KUOKUO

China’s Climate China’s Climate ZonesZones

China’s Climate China’s Climate ZonesZones

Precipitation in Precipitation in ChinaChina

Precipitation in Precipitation in ChinaChina

Summer RainfallSummer RainfallSummer RainfallSummer Rainfall

Agricultural Regions in Agricultural Regions in ChinaChina

Agricultural Regions in Agricultural Regions in ChinaChina

Arable LandArable LandArable LandArable Land

““Brown” China vs. Brown” China vs. “Green” China“Green” China

““Brown” China vs. Brown” China vs. “Green” China“Green” China

Rice DominantW

heat

Dom

inan

t

Pasture and Oasis

Double-crop rice

South ChinaSouth ChinaSouth ChinaSouth China

China as % of World Population

China as % of World Population

Population DensityPopulation DensityPopulation DensityPopulation Density

Shang Period 1750-1027 B.C.E

Land of Neolithic communities Pigs, Chicken, Millet domesticated Silk textiles Bronze Metallurgy Shang dynasty- Origins in yellow river valley Kings- direct rule over core and indirect rule

over peripheral areas

Shang kings- Military campaigns- Nomads Possible trade with Mesopatamia Kings Religion- Worship of male ancestors,

practiced sacrifice. Kings were intermediaries between the gods and human world

Shang Technology

Bronze weapons, ceremonial vessels

Horse drawn chariot

Chinese Writing

Developed during Shang Period Today’s Writing Directly related

Shang Dynasty

Zhou Period 1027-221 B.C.E.

Dependent state of the Shang Defeated Shang in the 11th century B.C.E “Mandate of Heaven” Used by the zhou to

justify their actions in overthrowing the Shang

Zhou Period

Priestly Power of elite faded Result in separation of religion and govt. Zhou divided into two periods Western Zhou,

and Eastern Zhou

Western Zhou 11th -9th & Eastern Zhou 771- 221 B.C.E centuries B.C.E.

Like the Shang the Western Zhou had direct control over core territory and administered the peripheral areas indirectly

Eastern Zhou declined in central government as regional elites began to rule territories

Eastern Zhou subdivided into two periods Spring and Autumn period 771-481 B.C.E Warring states Period 480-221 B.C.E

Zhou Technology

Construction of long walls for defense Iron and steel metallurgy Horse riding

Eastern Zhou Political Philosophies

Legalism- Human nature is wicked and selfish. People must have strict laws and harsh punishments

Confucianism

Founded by Confucius Assumes that human nature is essentially

good. Hierarchical view of universe, society, and

family Not influential with it’s founding, but became

the dominant political philosophy in the future.

Daoism

Founded by Laozi Universe is constantly changing No real moral standards People should take life as it comes to them. “Whatever attitude”

Eastern Zhou Society

Development of the three generation family Concept of Private Property Privately owned land Women were subordinate to hierarchy Yin and Yang Yin-male- Bright, Shining, Active Yang-Female- moon, passive, shaded

NubiaNubia

3100 B.C.E-350 C.E.3100 B.C.E-350 C.E.

Early Cultures of Early Cultures of Egyptian DominationEgyptian Domination

Natural Resources in Nubia- Gold, Natural Resources in Nubia- Gold, Precious Stones, CopperPrecious Stones, Copper

Nubia was developed as a result of the Nubia was developed as a result of the need for irrigated agriculture, and by its need for irrigated agriculture, and by its early trading relationship with Egyptearly trading relationship with Egypt

Nubian culture and Egyptian culture Nubian culture and Egyptian culture developed through a process of mutual developed through a process of mutual influence and borrowing. influence and borrowing.

Early Nubia Early Nubia

Carried out trade with Old Kingdom Carried out trade with Old Kingdom EgyptEgypt

The northern part of Nubia was occupied The northern part of Nubia was occupied by Egypt during the Middle Kingdom by Egypt during the Middle Kingdom period.period.

Southern Part of Nubia kingdom of Kush Southern Part of Nubia kingdom of Kush develops by 1750 B.C.E. they were noted develops by 1750 B.C.E. they were noted for metalwork and constructionfor metalwork and construction

Kush developed by 1750 Kush developed by 1750 b.c.e b.c.e

Kush was noted for its metalworking and Kush was noted for its metalworking and construction.construction.

Egypt invaded Kush during the New Egypt invaded Kush during the New Kingdom period. Kingdom period.

The results of Egyptian occupation included The results of Egyptian occupation included the brutal exploitation of Nubian laborers the brutal exploitation of Nubian laborers

the imposition of Egyptian culture on the the imposition of Egyptian culture on the Nubian people.Nubian people.

Egypt invades KushEgypt invades Kush

During New Kingdom PeriodDuring New Kingdom Period The results of Egyptian occupation The results of Egyptian occupation

include brutal exploitation of Nubian include brutal exploitation of Nubian Laborers, and imposition of Egyptian Laborers, and imposition of Egyptian culture on the Nubian people.culture on the Nubian people.

Meroe 800 B.C.E- 350 C.EMeroe 800 B.C.E- 350 C.E

A Nubian KingdomA Nubian Kingdom Arose in 8Arose in 8thth century B.C.E century B.C.E Capital of Napata from 660 B.C.E to the Capital of Napata from 660 B.C.E to the

44thth century century During the period with Napata as capital During the period with Napata as capital

there was continued Egyptian cultural there was continued Egyptian cultural influence. Examples include use of influence. Examples include use of Hieroglyphics and building of pyramids.Hieroglyphics and building of pyramids.

In the 4In the 4thth century the kingdom moves it’s century the kingdom moves it’s capital to Meroe, due to better agriculture capital to Meroe, due to better agriculture and trade.and trade.

During this period Egyptian cultural During this period Egyptian cultural influence would diminishinfluence would diminish

Meroe practiced a Matrilineal family Meroe practiced a Matrilineal family system, Queens were influential in the system, Queens were influential in the societysociety

Meroe would dominate trade routesMeroe would dominate trade routes Use Reservoirs to catch rainfallUse Reservoirs to catch rainfall Important center of iron smeltingImportant center of iron smelting

Decline of MeroeDecline of Meroe

Shift in trade routesShift in trade routes Rise of the kingdom of AksumRise of the kingdom of Aksum Depredation of camel riding NomadsDepredation of camel riding Nomads

First Civilizations in the Americas: The Olmec and Chavin

1200-250 B.C.E

Mesoamerican Olmecs

Strongest between 1200 and 400 B.C.E

Major centers of Olmec civilization were located along the coast of Mexico.

The use of raised fields provided the agricultural surpluses the Olmec needed to sustain urban centers.

The center of early Olmec civilization was located at San Lorenzo.

San Lorenzo was surpassed by La Venta around 900 b.c.e., which, in turn, gave way to Tres Zapotes around 600 b.c.e.

Large earthen mounds dominated Olmec urban centers.

Olmec headThe word Olmec comes from an Aztec term for the peoples living in southern Veracruz and western Tabasco, Mexico, between about 1500 and 300 B.C.E. All later Mesoamerican cultures derived from the Olmecs. Measuring 9 feet, 4 inches in height, and over 10 tons in weight, this colossal basalt head monument from San Lorenzo is a superb example of Olmec sculpture intended as architecture. The facial features have led some scholars to suggest African influences, but that hypothesis has not been proven. (Nathaniel Tarn/Photo Researchers, Inc.)

Olmec head

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

The Wrestler, sculpture of the Olmec civilization, ca. 150 B.C. This 26-inch masterpiece of Olmec sculpture comes from the present-day Mexican state of Veracruz. The history of Mesoamerica is divided into three periods: Pre-Classic (1,800-150 B.C.), Classic (100-900 A.D), and Post-Classic (900-1530). By 1200 B.C., the Olmecs dominated the lowlands near modern Tabasco and Veracruz, but by 150 B.C., the approximate date of The Wrestler, their civilization had given way to that of the Maya.

It is likely that Olmec political structures were built around some form of kingship.Olmec power rested on the control of certain commodities and the popularity of their religious practices. Given their limited technology, Olmec architecture was very impressive. The Olmec played a role in the early development of writing and astronomy.

Early South American Civilization: Chavín, 900—250 b.c.e.

1. Chavín was the first major urban civilization in South America.2. Chavín was politically and economically dominant between 900 and 250 b.c.e.3. A combination of military strength and the appeal of its religious system explains Chavín's influence and control over its territory.

The area of the Chavín, as well as areas the Chavín influenced

Chavín artists frequently made use of the technique of contour rivalry in their art forms, and the Raimondi Stela is frequently considered to be one of the finest known examples of this technique. Contour rivalry means that the lines in an image can be read in multiple ways, depending on which way the object is being viewed. In the case of the Raimondi Stela, when viewed one way, the image depicts a fearsome deity holding two staffs. His eyes look upward toward his large, elaborate headdress of snakes and volutes. This same image, when flipped upside-down, takes on a completely new life. The headdress now turns into a stacked row of smiling, fanged faces, while the deity's face has turned into the face of a smiling reptile as well. Even the deity's staffs now appear to be rows of stacked faces.

4. Chavín possessed all the essential characteristics of later Andean civilizations, including a clan-based system of labor.

5. The evidence suggests that increased warfare led to the fall of Chavín around 200 b.c.e.