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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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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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 . . .
2SECTION
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 . . .
2SECTION
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
2SECTION
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
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