India and China

Question 1

What is a monsoon?

Answer 1

Seasonal winds that cause weather changes.

Question 2

In what time period did the Indus Valley civilization exist?

Answer 2

2500 - 1500 BCE

Question 3

What are the characteristics of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro?

Answer 3

• well-planned grid pattern
• standard size bricks, extensive plumbing system
• uniform weights and measures

Question 4

Describe the religion of the Indus Valley civilization.

Answer 4

• polytheistic
• included a mother goddess of creation
• sacred animals

Question 5

List the theories that explain the disappearance of the Indus Valley civilization.

Answer 5

• damage to environment
• volcano eruption blocks Indus
• earthquake
• nomadic invaders overrun Indus valley

Question 6

During what time period did the Aryan Civilization exist?

Answer 6

1500 - 500 BCE

Question 7

Describe the Aryans.

Answer 7

• an Indo-European people
• invaded India through Khyber Pass
• Vedas - prayers, hymns, religious teachings

Question 8

Describe the society of the Aryan civilization.

Answer 8

• warriors on top at first, priests rose when people settled into the area
• hierarchy develops into caste system
• society divided by occupation

Question 9

Describe the religion of the Aryan civilization.

Answer 9

• polytheistic
• Brahmins offered sacrifices to the gods
• ideas will evolve into Hinduism & Buddhism

Question 10

What is the definition of brahman?

Answer 10

A single spiritual force beyond all the gods.

Question 11

What is the definition of mystics?

Answer 11

People who devote their lives to seeking spiritual truth.

Question 12

What writing was developed by the Aryans in 500 BCE?

Answer 12

Sanskrit

Question 13

The Vedas maintained what kind of tradition?

Answer 13

Oral traditions

Question 14

321 - 185 BCE

Answer 14

Mauryan Empire

Question 15

Who founded the Mauryan Empire?

Answer 15

Chandragupta Maura

Question 16

Who is the most famous ruler of the Mauryan Empire?

Answer 16

Asoka

Question 17

What religion did Asoka convert to?

Answer 17

Buddhism

Question 18

What did Asoka do as a ruler?

Answer 18

• sent missionaries to spread Buddhism throughout Asia
• ruled using the ideas of Buddhism
• worked to improve the lives of people
• built roads and hospitals

Question 19

320 - 550 CE

Answer 19

Gupta Empire

Question 20

The Gupta Empire was called the what age of India?

Answer 20

Golden

Question 21

Included the Indus & Ganges River Valleys

Answer 21

Gupta Empire

Question 22

What were some Golden Age contributions?

Answer 22

• Mathematics - concept of zero
• Medicine - setting broken bones
• Astronomy - the Earth is round
• Textiles
• Literature

Question 23

Why is the Huang He River also known as the Yellow River?

Answer 23

The silt of the Huang He River is yellow, and gives the Huang He a distinctive color.

Question 24

What river was Classical China centered on?

Answer 24

the Huang He river

Question 25

What is the definition of dynasty?

Answer 25

a family of rulers who rule over a country for a long period of time

Question 26

What is the Mandate of Heaven?

Answer 26

Rulers are in power with the approval of the gods; "divine right to rule".

Question 27

If the dynasty is providing good government, then it will enjoy the mandate of heaven. If it is corrupt or weak, another dynasty will come into power.

Answer 27

Dynastic Cycle

Question 28

Indications that a king had lost the Mandate of Heaven included?

Answer 28

- crop failures - catastrophic floods - losses in battle - corrupt government

Question 29

Was conquered by Zhou

Answer 29

Shang Dynasty (1600 - 1050 BCE)

Question 30

List characteristics of the Shang Dynasty.

Answer 30

- used bronze - made pottery - developed writing with Chinese characters - Ancestor worship