How did geography shape early Chinese civilization?

• In India, the Caste system determined a person’s occupation, personal associations, and marriage partner. This situation shows that the Caste system

 1. has helped eliminate ethnic and religious rivalries

 2. has promoted social mobility within Indian society

 3. has been stronger in urban areas that in rural areas

 4. has been a way of life as well as an element of religion

• “When I go to the office, I put on my shirt and I take off my caste; when I come home, I take off my shirt and I put on my caste.”

What is the main idea of this quotation?

 1. the caste system continues to influence Indian society

 2. the caste system has been reflected by most Indians

 3. successful urban workers in India belong the same Caste

 4. the Indian government officially supports the Caste system

• Jewish religions and cultural identity has been greatly influenced by

 1. Ramadan and the concept of reincarnation

 2. the Torah and the Diaspora

 3. the New Testament and the Four Noble Truths

 4. the Koran and the code of bushido

• A belief of animism is that

 1. after death the soul is reborn in another human form

 2. holy wars must be fought to gain entry into heaven

 3. meditation leads followers to nirvana

 4. spirits of nature inhabit all living and nonliving objects

I. Geography

• A. Most isolated civilization– Isolation contributes to the Chinese belief of

ethnocentrism (belief that your culture is superior)

• B. Geographic barriers– Mountains: Tien Shan and the Himalayas– Desert: Gobi– Jungles: – Pacific Ocean

II. Rivers•Huang He River•Yangtze River–Both life sources of the Chinese people

Huang He (Yellow River)

• The Huang He is the world's fourth-longest river at 3,395 miles

Yangtze River• The Yangtze River is

China’s largest waterway and the third longest river in the world. 

The Yangtze River is the longest river in China, running 6,300 kilometers (3915 miles). It is also the third longest river in the world.

III. Dynastic Cycle

New Dynasty

Several ruling generations

Aging Dynasty

Loss of Mandate

New Dynasty claims Mandate

Proble

ms

A. Mandate of Heaven: The right to rule by the gods.