History IRV + China
What landforms presented natural barriers around the Indus River Valley? → The Himalayas, Hindu Kush, and Karakoram Mountains surrounded the valley, keeping Indian culture isolated.
How did these landforms contribute to cultural isolation? → They made travel and invasion difficult, so India developed its own culture and religion.
Explain the monsoon season and its effects on the Indus River Valley. → Monsoons are seasonal winds; summer monsoons bring rain for crops, and winter monsoons bring dry air.
What factors or theories exist for the decline and fall of the Harappan civilization? → Natural disasters, river shifts, floods, or invasions by the Aryans caused its decline.
How were the people of the Indus Valley connected to Mesopotamia? → They traded cotton, jewelry, and pottery through the Persian Gulf.
Between which two rivers is the heartland of China found? → Between the Huang He (Yellow River) and Yangtze River.
Name and explain the social classes of the Shang dynasty. → 1. Kings/Nobles (leaders) 2. Warriors (fighters) 3. Artisans/Traders (made goods) 4. Peasants (farmers, largest group).
Name and describe innovations in technology and trade during the Zhou dynasty. → The Zhou made iron tools, built roads/canals, used coins, and improved farming.
What is feudalism? → A system where kings give land to nobles in exchange for loyalty.
How did feudalism affect the Zhou dynasty? → Nobles gained too much power, leading to wars and the fall of the Zhou dynasty.
What is the Mandate of Heaven? → Belief that rulers receive power from the gods and can lose it if they rule unfairly.
What role does the Mandate of Heaven play in Zhou culture? → It justified the rise and fall of dynasties through the Dynastic Cycle.
According to the dynastic cycle, what happens when dynasties fail to meet people’s needs? → The gods withdraw support, disasters happen, and a new dynasty takes over.
Compare the religious beliefs of Sumer, Egypt, India, and China. → Sumer: gods control nature; Egypt: life after death; India: reincarnation; China: ancestor worship.
Explain the cycle of reincarnation. → A person’s karma and dharma decide their next life; good karma brings you closer to moksha.
What is moksha? → Freedom from the cycle of rebirth and union with Brahman.
Who were the Brahmins? → The top caste; priests who performed rituals and prayers.
Explain how Siddhartha Gautama’s life influenced his beliefs. → He saw suffering, left luxury, and learned peace comes through balance, not wealth.
Explain the path to nirvana. → Follow the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path to end suffering and reach peace.
How does the game Snakes and Ladders relate to Hinduism? → Ladders represent good karma and snakes represent bad karma; it teaches moral lessons.
Why were lower castes more drawn to Buddhism? → Buddhism rejected the caste system and taught equality.
How did Buddhism spread? → Through trade routes and missionaries.
Why did Buddhism not become more popular in India? → Hinduism remained tied to Indian culture and traditions.
What are the four main castes in India? → Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (merchants), and Sudras (laborers).
What is the difference between reincarnation in Hinduism and nirvana in Buddhism? → Reincarnation is rebirth; nirvana is release from rebirth.
Who were the Aryans? → Indo-European people who migrated to India and started the caste system.
What are the Vedas? → Ancient Hindu texts written in Sanskrit with hymns and rituals.
What are the Upanishads? → Hindu writings that explain the ideas of the Vedas.
What is Brahman? → The universal spirit or supreme being in Hinduism.
What are Oracle Bones? → Animal bones used by Shang priests to ask questions of the gods.
What is Loess? → Fertile yellow soil found along the Huang He River.
Why is the Huang He called “China’s Sorrow”? → Because its floods caused great destruction.
What is the Dynastic Cycle? → The pattern of rise, decline, and replacement of Chinese dynasties.
What is Filial Piety? → Respect for parents and elders; key idea in Confucianism.
What is Daoism? → Chinese philosophy that teaches harmony with nature and “The Way.”
Who founded Daoism? → Laozi.
What is Legalism? → Belief that people need strict laws and punishments to stay in order.
What is Confucianism? → Philosophy by Confucius that teaches moral behavior and respect in relationships.
What are the Five Relationships of Confucianism? → Ruler–subject, father–son, husband–wife, older–younger brother, friend–friend.
What is the Mandate of Heaven similar to in other civilizations? → The divine right of kings in Europe.
Who founded the Qin dynasty? → Shi Huangdi, the “First Emperor.”
What are major achievements of the Qin dynasty? → Great Wall of China, standardized money, writing, and weights.
What are major achievements of the Han dynasty? → Civil service exams, paper, seismograph, silk, and trade expansion on the Silk Road.
What is the Silk Road? → Trade route connecting China to Europe, spreading goods and ideas.
Who was Asoka? → Mauryan ruler who spread Buddhism and promoted peace.
What was the Gupta Empire known for? → Golden Age of India; math (zero), science, art, and literature.
What are Arabic numerals? → Number system created in India during the Gupta Empire and still used today.
Castes → Social groups in India that determine job, marriage, and rank.
Aryans → Indo-European people who migrated to India and introduced the caste system.
Charioteer → A person who drives a chariot, often in war or races.
Upanishads → Hindu religious writings that explain the ideas in the Vedas.
Vedas → Ancient Hindu texts written in Sanskrit; include hymns and prayers.
Brahman → The universal spirit or supreme being in Hinduism.
Oracle Bones → Animal bones used by Shang priests to ask questions of the gods.
Dynastic Cycle → The pattern of rise, decline, and replacement of dynasties.
Loess → Fertile yellow soil found along the Huang He River.
“China’s Sorrow” → Nickname for the Huang He River because its floods caused destruction.
Feudalism → Political system where nobles get land from the king in return for loyalty.
Atman → A person’s soul or spiritual self in Hinduism.