China and India

Chapter 3

Geography

• Monsoons• Indus and Ganges Rivers

Cities

• Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro– original Indian cities formed when Mesopotamia

was at its height– mysteriously disappeared after about 1, 000 years

Caste System

• Brahmins: priests • Kshatriya: warriors nobles • Vaisya: traders, artisans • Sudra: laboring class, mixed blood people • Untouchables: lowest level

Religion of India• Hinduism (Dominant Religion)– Gods: Brahma=spirit in every living creature

Shiva=Destroyer Vishnu=preserver – Goals• Dharma: the religious and moral duties of an individual • Karma: acts of one life affect the next life • Reincarnation: rebirth of the soul until it is pure • Human soul must progress through caste system until it

is one with Brahma

Religion of India• Buddhism– started in India, but is primarily practiced in China and

Southeast Asia – Founded by Siddartha Gautama – 4 Noble Truths

• All life is full of pain, suffering and sorrow • The cause of suffering is the desire for things that are really

illusions • The only cure for suffering is to overcome desire • The only way to overcome desire is to follow Buddha's eight-

fold path – Nirvana is the escape from the cycle of rebirth

Ancient China

Government

• China was ruled by a series of powerful dynasties – Shang Dynasty: 1st Dynasty, developed written

language, demanded tribute – Zhou Dynasty: mandate of heaven, feudalism,

bureaucrats – Chin Dynasty: ruthless warrior emperors, Great

Wall of China built – Han Dynasty: Silk Road allowed trade between

Middle East and China

Religion• Buddhism: spread from India to China, Southeast

Asia, Korea and Japan • Confucism: Confucius, China's greatest

philosopher taught morality – 5 Relationships: ruler/subjects, father/son ,

husband/wife, older brother/younger brother, community members -Confucian Virtues: intengrity, loyalty, generosity, politeness

• Legalism: people are naturally evil so harsh laws and strong gov't are necessary

• Daoism: "the unspoken way," stresses harmony with nature

Social Structure

• Family more important than individual or government

• Men superior to women • Filial Piety: respect for parents and ancestors