A statue of Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism.

Chinese civilization culturally dominated East Asia, including Korea and Japan, while the islands of Australia and Oceania remained isolated.

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Unit 6East Asia, Australia, and Oceania: Land and History

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East Asia, Australia, and Oceania: Land and History

Physical GeographySECTION 1

Ancient ChinaSECTION 2

Ancient JapanSECTION 3

Section 1

Physical GeographyThe physical features of East Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands are the result of different geological processes.

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The Lands of the Region

The Mainland and Islands• East Asia: China, Japan, North Korea, South

Korea, Mongolia,Taiwan• Island of Australia is a continent, nation; New

Zealand is nearby• Oceania has thousands of islands• Three subregions:

- Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia

Physical Geography1SECTION

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China’s Mountains• High mountains in west; Himalayas along

southwest border with Nepal- Himalayas’ Mount Everest is world’s highest peak at 29,035 feet

• High Plateau of Tibet covers quarter of China; “roof of the world”

China

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1SECTION

Continued . . .

China’s Great Rivers• Huang He, Chang Jiang (longest), Xi Jiang flow

east from highlands• Huang He (Yellow River) carries colored silt

from Plateau of Tibet- called “China’s Sorrow” because it often has deadly floods

China’s Deserts• Taklimakan covers northwest, one of world’s largest

sandy deserts- spring dust storms like hurricanes lift dust 13,000 feet into air

• Gobi is in central north; Mongolian name means “waterless place”- temperatures range from 113 degrees F in summer to -40 in winter

continued China

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1SECTION

The Islands• Include Hokkaido, Shikoku, Kyushu; Honshu is

largest, site of Tokyo

Japan

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1SECTION

Continued . . .

Mountains and Volcanoes• Three tectonic plates cause many volcanic

eruptions, earthquakes• Blocks of mountains cover over 80% of land,

separated by lowlands• Tallest mountain, Mount Fuji, is active volcano• Japan is part of Ring of Fire—volcanic area

bordering Pacific Ocean- Ring is where most of Earth’s volcanic, earthquake activity happens

Earthquakes• Up to 1,500 minor earthquakes a year• Major earthquake hits Tokyo in 1923

- since then, buildings are designed to withstand earthquakes better

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1SECTION

continued Japan

Climate• Mostly controlled by monsoons

- cold winter rain, snow to west; warm summer rains to south, east

• Typhoon—western Pacific hurricane; often occurs in summer, fall

North and South• Lie on mountainous Korean Peninsula• North Korea has mountains, valleys; Yalu, Tumen

rivers border China- temperate climate—cold, dry winters; hot, humid summers- summer monsoons bring rain

• South Korea has mountains, coastal plains, river valleys- main rivers are Han, Kum, Naktong

The Koreas

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1SECTION

Flat and Dry Australia• One of world’s largest countries on its smallest

continent• Flat, dry landscape has not changed much in 250

million years• Great Dividing Range along east coast is long, low

mountain chain• Outback—stretch of vast plains fills the center,

west

Australia

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The Great Barrier Reef• Great Barrier Reef—2,500 reefs run 1,250 miles

along northeast coast• Fringing reefs run close to coastline, others are

100 miles out

20,000 Islands• New Zealand includes two large main islands east

of Australia• 20,000 islands make up Oceania• Three types of islands:

- continental islands—part of Earth’s crust (New Zealand, New Guinea)- high oceanic islands—mountainous, formed by volcanoes (Tahiti)- low oceanic islands—formed from coral reefs (most of Oceania)

New Zealand and Other Pacific Islands

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1SECTION

Section 2

Ancient ChinaThe ancient Chinese developed a civilization that has lasted longer than any other on Earth.

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2SECTION

Foundations of Chinese Civilization

Early People and Dynasties• World’s oldest culture begins in Huang He

valley around 5000 B.C.• Shang invade in 1700s B.C., establish first

permanent civilization• China ruled by dynasties—families of rulers,

one following another

Ancient China

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Mongol Rule• Genghis Khan leads Mongol invasion in

A.D. 1211• Grandson Kublai Khan conquers Song

Dynasty in 1279- founds Yuan Dynasty

Continued . . .

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The Ming Dynasty• Yuan Dynasty weakened by in-fighting, replaced

by Ming Dynasty- Ming’s founding Hongwu (“vast military power”) emperor unifies China

• Hongwu emperor followed by Yongle (“eternal contentment”) emperor- renames capital Beijing, builds Forbidden City palace complex

• Ming Dynasty ends in 1644 when Manchu invade from northeast- Manchu establish last dynasty, Qing; rule until 1911

continued Foundations of Chinese Civilization

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2SECTION

Confucianism• Zhou Dynasty’s Kongfuzi (Confucius to

Europeans) forms philosophy• Stresses moral character, individual responsibility,

caring rulers• After his death, Confucius’ students spread his

philosophy

Religion and Philosophy

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The Impact of Confucianism• Han emperor Wudi makes it official philosophy in

121 B.C.• Guides bureaucracy—government administered

by departments (bureaus)- civil service’s capable Confucianism scholars keep culture stable

Continued . . .

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Taoism• Taoism philosophy rises in Zhou period

- developed in 500s B.C. by Lao Tzu, who writes Tao-te Ching

• Tao (“way of nature”)—unseen, unnamed force guides universe- Taoists seek harmony with Tao, nature

continued Religion and Philosophy

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Buddhism in China• Arrives with Indian traders in A.D. 200s, at end of

Han Dynasty• Today, Chinese belief system blends Confucianism,

Taoism, Buddhism

2SECTION

Silk• Chinese keep secret of its manufacture; control

silk trade, profits• Carried to Europe, Southwest Asia along Silk

Road trade route

Achievements of the Dynasties

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Continued . . .

The Silk Road• Porcelain, tea, incense, spices also move along

4,000-mile route• Used from 114 B.C.; climate, robbers make

route hazardous- Used until safer sea routes are found and Ming Dynasty limits trade

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Porcelain• Delicate, strong ceramic—fine pottery is called

“china”• Chinese keep porcelain’s production methods

secret for years

continued Achievements of the Dynasties

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Writing• Shang Dynasty’s pictograms develop into

50,000-character system- influences Japan’s, Korea’s writing

The Great Builders• Grand Canal, begun in 600s B.C., carries grain

to cities- today connects Beijing and Hangzhou

Section 3

Ancient JapanFor hundreds of years, Japan developed its unique culture with influence from only its closest neighbors, China and Korea.

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3SECTION

Early Japan

Religion and Clans• From 10,000 to 300 B.C., east coast has hunter-

gatherers, fishermen• Shinto (“way of the gods”) religion—kami live in

objects, nature• Live in clans—group of families with common

ancestor, led by chief• Powerful Yamato clan forms ruling government

around A.D. 250

Ancient Japan

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3SECTION

Korea and China• From Korea, Japan gets bronze and iron tools,

weapon technology- also learn to grow rice, introduced to Buddhism

• China begins to influence Japan in A.D. 500s

Outside Influences

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Continued . . .

Prince Shotoku• Rulers seek regional political power by learning

Chinese civilization• Buddhist Prince Shotoku Taishi sends people to

study Chinese culture• Japan adopts Chinese writing system, calendar,

centralized government

3SECTION

The Heian Age• In A.D. 794, emperor Kammu builds new capital,

Heian-kyo• Heian Age (794–1185)—golden age of

aristocratic court culture• Lady Murasaki Shikibu writes world’s first novel,

The Tale of Genji

continued Outside Influences

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Zen Buddhism• Buddhism spreads from Heian-kyo court to

become national religion• Zen—most popular Japanese Buddhist branch

- sudden enlightenment possible through understanding of koans

3SECTION

The Samurai• Heian-kyo court loses power to lords by 1100s;

feudal system forms• Violence, disorder spread; samurai warriors

protect lords

Feudal Japan

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The Kamakura Shogunate• Two clans fight in 1100s; Minamoto clan wins,

forms new government• Shogun—emperor’s chief general—holds most of

the power• Shoguns drain treasury to stop Kublai Khan’s

invasions in 1274, 1281• Samurai return to their lords; in-fighting resumes

3SECTION

The First Europeans in Japan• Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun in 1603,

moves capital to Edo• First Europeans arrive in 1543; trade firearms

for gold, silver• Catholic missionaries arrive in 1549; many

peasants become Catholic

Tokugawa Shogunate

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The Closing Door• In 1630s, Tokugawa Ieyasu fears European

control• Kicks Christians out; bans European trade,

influences• Japan remains isolated for 200 years