ANCIENT INDIA
15. India was influenced by its physical geography because the Himalayas cut it off from the rest of the ancient world. However, invaders were able to enter India through the passes of the Hindu Kush Mountains to conquer and settle the land. Two great river systems cut through the Himalayas and carried melting snow into the plains, allowing crops to be grown and settlements to flourish. Moreover, the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea limited contact with lands to the west and east. In addition, monsoons dominate the climate and bring rains that augment the snow melt, creating fertile farm land. Finally, the Indus River Valley contained fertile soil for farming.
16. Both Chandragupta and Asoka were strong rulers who brought order and peace to their people. In the early years of his reign, Asoka was warlike like his grandfather. However, Asoka later embraced Buddhism and was concerned for his people’s welfare. Chandragupta ruled harshly throughout his reign.
17. Major Religions
18. A.D. 622; Southwest Asia
19. about 300 years
20. Hinduism and Buddhism
ANCIENT CHINA
15. The natural barriers created by the Himalaya Mountains and the deserts and high plateaus prevented the ancient Chinese from learning about other civilizations. The rivers provided fertile topsoil for farming and enabled early Chinese to give up their nomadic existence and establish settlements.
16. Under the Han Dynasty the following developments occurred: the establishment of a civil service system that employed men educated in Confucian teachings; advancements in the arts, scholarship, and history; technological advancements, including the development of iron farming tools and irrigation systems; numerous inventions including paper, the compass, herbal medicines; respect for family and tradition. Because of the lasting impact of many of these accomplishments, modern Chinese might consider themselves to be “the children of Han.”
17. The Huang River causes sorrow
18-19. The river was unpredictable and sometimes dangerous; no warnings of destructive floods; could drown thousands; could cause the river to cut another path and change course
20. The Huang is a river that causes sorrow. The floods can be unpredictable and dangerous and can drown thousands of people.
ANCIENT GREECE
15. Since only small areas of the land could be farmed (about 20%), Greeks used their access to the sea to become traders and sailors. The mountainous geography of Greece also resulted in a lack of contact between and among the communities there. As a result, throughout its history, Greek city-states fought each other rather than uniting in recognition of their common heritage.
16. The years between 750 and 1100 are known as the Dark Ages. During this time civilization collapsed. The people were poor and didn’t trade for food or goods. Writing disappeared, and people simply tried to survive. Eventually, families settled on farms near rocky hills (acropolis) where they would be safe from attack. These settlements became city-states. During the Golden Age, after the defeat of the Persians, the people had more money. Democracy developed in Athens and other some other city-states. The Athenians had the resources to improve their city and focus on the arts. There were advances in math, philosophy, and science.
17. The enemy could be seen more easily from the top of the hill, and high ground, in an age without air power, was easier to defend.
18. The people who control the good land can grow the most crops, and then become rich by selling the surplus.
19. Pericles was proud of his city.
20. They gathered to talk about politics.
ANCIENT ROME
15. The geography of ancient Rome, like the geography of so many of the civilizations we studied this year, was a significant factor in its rise to a great power. Rome was built on seven hills. These hills had fertile soil and provided protection from enemies. A major river, the Tiber, also flowed through Rome, bringing fresh water for drinking, bathing, cooking, and irrigating. As Rome grew, water was brought in from the distant mountains using elaborately constructed aqueducts. Rome, too, had a central location. It was located in the center of Italy, and Italy was at the center of the Mediterranean Sea, and the Mediterranean was at the center of the known western world.
16. Answers will vary.
Yes, the Romans treated the people they conquered fairly. They allowed them to practice their own religion and to rule themselves as long as they caused no trouble to the empire.
No, the Romans did not treat the peoples they conquered fairly. They would only allow them to practice their own religion if they also acknowledged the Roman gods and pledged that they would recognize the emperor as lord. This was a problem for monotheistic peoples such as Jews and Christians. Many of them were put to death for refusing to say that, “Caesar is Lord.” The Romans also enslaved numerous people to work on farms and in mines and households, and they expected the conquered peoples to provide them with raw materials and markets for the empire’s goods.