Explain where the "Period of the Warring States" got its name from?
Some Zhou aristocrats grew too powerful ignoring the king's command, they fought against each other, since each had its own state, the name explains itself.
What is the Mandate of Heaven?
Chinese belief that right to rule came from the gods.
Explain the difference between a pictograph and an ideograph.
Pictographs are characters representing an object. Ideographs use more than one pictograph to represent more complex concepts.
Where did aristocrats get more soldiers during the conflicts?
They forced farmers to fight.
Explain why the Huang He is called China's Sorrow?
Due to the millions of lives taken by the floods.
Who were the aristocrats?
People of noble birth whose wealth came from the land they owned.
Mention three important advancements from the Shang dynasty.
Bronze objects, silkworms, kaolin vases, ivory and jade statues.
How were government and religion closely linked?
Because Shang king believed the power to rule was given by the gods and they were consulted before any important decision.
What does the Mandate of Heaven state?
The person chosen by the gods to rule had to be a wise and good king. so he would govern honestly and well.
Why did the Chines honor their ancestors?
So they could bring them good luck and help in difficult times.
Mention three things Yü the Great did according to his myth.
1. He dug the first channels to control floods. 2. He chased away the dragon causing the floods. 3. He formed the Xia dynasty.
Who were the warlords and why were they important for Shang kings?
Military leaders leading their own armies, who the kings relied on to stay on power.
Why is the yellow river called like that?
Due to the color of the soil.
Name the two rivers China formed along.
Huang He (yellow river) and Chang Jiang (Yangtze river).
Mention the major military improvement that Zhou Chinese brought.
Horse-riding soldiers.
Explain the change of dynasties from Shang to Zhou.
The last Shang king considered a wicked tyrant was dethroned by an aristocrat, who after his victory founded the Zhou dynasty.
How did the Shang kings ask questions to the gods?
They used oracle bones.
Mention the three roles the king had to perform in the Shang dynasty.
Military, political and religious leader.
When could a king be replaced?
When a natural disaster or bad harvest occurred.
Why did the Chinese call their land "The Middle Kingdom"? (3 reasons)
Due to the natural barriers they believed their land to be the center of the world developing a unique culture and a strong sense of independence.
Explain how were gods worshipped in Shang china.
By offering gifts or food the Chinese attempted to please the gods for them bring good fortune.
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