Critical Thinking Challenge…. So
far!
Let’s see if what we know from the
map activity and reading assignment!
Brainstorm- What do you know already, or what can you figure out using what you know!
If ASEAN is like NAFTA, what do you think the
letters stand for?
Association of SouthEast Asian Nations
What does the government of North Korea have in
common with Tsarist Russia? With the former USSR?
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Absolute Monarchy
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Communism/Dictatorship
What countries would you think have the highest level of
development? What do they all have in common?
Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore
ASIAN TIGERS—stable governments, free-markets,
high levels of investment spending, strong emphasis
on public education
China
Fourth largest country in the world
What countries
are larger?
Population!
1/5 of the World’s Population
What is China’s population?
Where do most people live?
How does physical geography impact China’s population?
What would China’s population pyramid look like?
What historical events or cultural preferences can you see using this data?
What is the future of China’s population growth?
How would this information help Chinese leaders plan for the future?
(Challenges and opportunities in China.)
Population Control
• Measures to control began
in 1950’s
• One-child policy 1st
applied in 1979
(beginning to phase-out)
• E-S-P-N
• https://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=eNKQT7Ub2Ps
Ethnic Groups
• More than 50 groups
• Han is most common with 94% of population
What is the most spoken language?
94% is a very high percentage. Why do you think China is so homogeneous?
Where would you expect to find diversity in this region?
Mountains
Qinling: Separates N. China from S. China
Kunlun: In W. China / Source of 2 Great Rivers
How do western mountains affect China socially, politically, economically?
Deserts
• Gobi: North China & SE Mongolia
• Taklimakan: Between Tian Shan & Kunlun Mts.
The Chinese are considered to have the longest continuous
history of any culture.
What elements of physical geography contributed to the
development of civilizations in China?
WATER, SOIL, CLIMATE
Yangtze River
AKA: Chang Jiang river
• China’s Longest River
• World’s 3rd Longest
WATER
Huang He River
AKA: Yellow River
SOIL
“China’s Sorrow”
CLIMATE
China’s physical geography is very similar to the
United States.
How valid is this statement? Be able to support
your answer.
Expansive plains for farming
Abundant natural resources
Long coastline and natural ports
Navigable rivers
Mid latitude zone—four seasons
High and low levels of elevation
Humid Continental/Subtropical Climate
Three Gorges Dam
World’s largest dam / 600 ft high / spans 1 mile
• E
• S
• P
• N
While watching the video, listen specifically for the positives and
negatives of the dam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gze9QVt6EfQ
What are the positive effects of the
Three Gorges Dam?
Creates hydroelectric power, reservoir and
control flooding
What are the negative effects of
the Three Gorges Dam?
Loss of farm land/soil fertility, affects natural
environment, creates need for relocation
China’s History in 3 parts!
Dynasty Era
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Spread Chinese culture and Han ethnic group
Mandate of Heaven concept
Flourishing and powerful civilization
Confucian society
Europe begins to force isolationist China to open ports for trade
Communist China
• Dynasties ended in 1911—tumultuous period led by Nationalists
• Communist Mao Zedong won civil war and took control in 1949
• Instituted the “Great Leap Forward” to speed up industrialization and create
government-led farm communes (led to mass starvation)
• Cultural Revolution purged society of intellectuals, scientists, professors and
students who were considered enemies of the communist state
China Today
• Encouraging modernization and limited capitalism
• Less economically communist, but still strong politically communist
• Debate over Taiwan’s independence
US vs China Google Search
China Bans searching of words on google
Tiananmen Square 1989
Japan’s History
• Feudal society (a hierarchical structure where peasants work for wealthy
land owners)
• under the control of shogun, or military ruler
• Samurai (warrior) supported shogun’s rule
• Japan’s isolation ended when the US forced a trade agreement
• Japan became very imperialistic early 1900s—why? Needed resources
• Set up puppet government in Manchuria (Northeast China) (missing
in Japanese textbooks?)
• Took control over Taiwan
• Won war with Russia over control of Korea
• After losing WWII, Japan emerged as a
democracy and is now the 3rd largest economy
in the world
East Asian Religions and Belief Systems
Confucianism
Based on teachings of Confucius, a Chinese philosopher. It is more a
code of ethics than an organized religion. Confucian code centers
around family loyalty, duty and education. It placed a strong emphasis
on respecting elders.
Daoism
Chinese religion emphasizes harmony with nature and simple living
Shintoism
Japan’s indigenous religion centers around worshiping natural spirits
and ancestors and is polytheistic; related to Native American’s
animism beliefs
Landmarks
The Great Wall of China
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Construction began in 400’s B.C.
Built mostly between 1369-1644
Approximately 4,000 miles long
25’ high / 25’ wide at base / 15’ wide at top
Watchtowers 100-200 yards apart / 40’ high
Foundations made of granite
Sides made of stone and brick
Top paved with brick
Filled inner walls with dirt
Capital
• Beijing
• “Forbidden City”
Largest City
• Shanghai:
Located at mouth of Yangtze
Hong Kong
• British Colony until 1997