China Geography Study Guide
Great Leap Forward
Great Wall
Grand Canal
Tibetan Plate
Silk Road
Taiping Rebellion
Yangtze River
Great Leap Forward
The Great Leap Forward was a terrible disaster in Modern Chinese History. Estimates of deaths range from 10 million to over 30 million Chinese citizens
died from rebellions, famines, and economic turmoil.
died from rebellions, famines, and economic turmoil.
The Great Leap Forward was the Communist Party's idealistic plan to catch up economically to the rest of the developed world, aka Europe and the USA.
There were MANY, MANY problems related to the Great Leap Forward, a few results were:
Local government officials were assigned tasks they were completely incapable of achieving.
Farm and factory machinery was produced quickly and poorly. It fell to pieces when moderately used.
Thousands of workers were injured after being forced to work long hours and falling asleep at their jobs. Workmanship was terrible because of inhuman hours
and fatigue.
The backyard furnaces were poorly built and produced steel that was way too weak to be of any use.
Backyard production method took many workers away from their fields, food was either not being grown or not being harvested.
1959-1960 were bad years for floods and droughts. Millions of people died of starvation or diseases related to starvation.
Death Rates in Hard-Hit Provinces (1957 to 1960)
Province |
1957 |
1960 |
Change |
Anhui |
250,000 |
2,200,000 |
780% |
Gansu |
<142,041
|
538,479 |
279% |
Guangxi |
261,785 |
644,700 |
146% |
572,000 |
1,908,000 |
233% |
|
Hunan |
370,059 |
<1,068,118
|
189%<
|
Source: Roderick MacFarquar, The Origins of the Cultural Revolution, vol. 3: The Coming of the Cataclysm, 1961-1966 (New York:
Columbia University Press, 1997), pp 2-3.
Propaganda posters were used by the Communist Party to persuade the Chinese that the Great Leap Forward was working.
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Great Wall
Emperor Qin Shi Huang of the Qin Dynasty (around 220 BC) was the first to build the Great Wall, however the Great Wall as we know it today was built in the
Ming Dynasty. The first version of the wall was rammed earth, not bricks.
Ming Dynasty. The first version of the wall was rammed earth, not bricks.
The Great Wall is over 4,000 miles long and stretching from Xinjiang Province in the west all the way to the border of North Korea. The Great Wall
stretches past many cities in China, most notably Beijing.
stretches past many cities in China, most notably Beijing.
The wall was used for over two centuries on and off as a way of defending Kingdoms and Dynasties.
Arguably the most important event associated with the Great Wall took place at Shanhai Pass (modern day Hebei Province). Former Ming general Wu Sangui
was worried about the future of the Ming Dynasty, so he opened the gates at Shanhai Pass and allowed the Manchu army to enter China. As a result of
this event, the Ming Dynasty was overthrown and the Qing Dynasty was founded.
was worried about the future of the Ming Dynasty, so he opened the gates at Shanhai Pass and allowed the Manchu army to enter China. As a result of
this event, the Ming Dynasty was overthrown and the Qing Dynasty was founded.
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Grand Canal
The Grand Canal was built by Emperor Yangdi (Sui Dynasty). Construction lasted from 589-618. The Grand Canal is the longest artificial waterway in the
world with a length of over 1,000 miles.
world with a length of over 1,000 miles.
There are no natural rivers connecting northern China to southern China. The Yangzi and Yellow rivers both flow east and west. Emperor Yangdi saw a need
for a safe water passage from north to south.
for a safe water passage from north to south.
Emperor Yangdi needed to connect to political center of the empire in the north with the economic and agriculturally rich south. Yangdi used the to link
military powers in the south with the north. Without the Canal the government's base in the north would have been forced to move further south (into more
unfriendly areas to the Sui). This very well could have caused an invasion from northern tribes like the Mongols.
military powers in the south with the north. Without the Canal the government's base in the north would have been forced to move further south (into more
unfriendly areas to the Sui). This very well could have caused an invasion from northern tribes like the Mongols.
The Canal, like many other Chinese creations, did not happen over night or by one Emperor. Parts of the Canal were technically build prior to Emperor
Yangdi. Yangdi is accredited for building the Canal because he was the first person to put any serious effort into it. He conscripted six million
peasant workers (both male and female) to build the Canal. Half of these workers died of starvation, fatigue, disease, or were beaten to death by
overseers. The large number of recruits are quite possibly one of the reasons the Sui Dynasty was so short lived.
Yangdi. Yangdi is accredited for building the Canal because he was the first person to put any serious effort into it. He conscripted six million
peasant workers (both male and female) to build the Canal. Half of these workers died of starvation, fatigue, disease, or were beaten to death by
overseers. The large number of recruits are quite possibly one of the reasons the Sui Dynasty was so short lived.
The Canal has played important parts and went through many renovations and changes in many Dynasties. During the 15th and 16th centuries an estimated
400,000 tons of grain was transported through the canal each year. Today the Canal is still heavily used, an estimated 100,000 river vessels transport
around 260 million tons of construction materials each year.
400,000 tons of grain was transported through the canal each year. Today the Canal is still heavily used, an estimated 100,000 river vessels transport
around 260 million tons of construction materials each year.
The Grand Canal of the Sui Dynasty flowed from Luoyang (the capital in the north) to the Yellow river basin in the south. The Grand Canal today
connects Beijing to Hangzhou.
connects Beijing to Hangzhou.
vt.edu/users/jojacks2/words/grandcanal.htm
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/241131/Grand-Canal
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/24/world/asia/24canal.html?
ex=1342929600&en=afc9b18561dd4adf&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
- Oceans
- Mongolian Plains
- Xinjiang (Gobi Desert)
- Himalaya Mountain Range
http://www.ess.uci.edu/%7Eoliver/silk.html
http://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/maps/maps.html
http://montgomery.cas.muohio.edu/silkroad
Jiangjin
Chongqing
Peiling
Zigui
Jianglin
Yueyang
Wuhan
Anqing
Wuhu
Nanjing
Zhenjiang
Shanghai
Sources:
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Tibetan Plateau
The Himalaya Mountain range is the largest mountain range in the world. There are 14 peaks and hundreds of summits that are at least 23,000 feet high. Some
of these 14 tallest peaks in the world of course include Mount Everest, K2, and Kanchenjunga. The range stretches over 1,700 miles. The Himalayas are
also some of the youngest mountains, still growing a few centimeters a year.
The Himalayas pass through five countries: India, Pakistan, China, Bhutan, and Nepal.
To the east and north of the mountain range sits the Tibetan Plateau. The plateau is often referred to as the "Roof of the World" with average heights
of 13,000 to 15,000 feet.
The Himalayas are an extremely important part of China and preserving ancient Chinese culture.
The Himalayas are the primary source for the Yangtze River basin. Without the Yangtze feeding the "rice basket" in the south, China would be a very
different country.
There are four natural barriers protecting China from invaders and barbarians.
Without these barriers China would have never had the opportunity to grow culturally or economically for the extreme length of time that it did.
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Silk Road
The Silk Road was the first "Coming out party" for China. Prior to the Silk Road, few people knew anything about China, and even fewer had seen silk.
During the Han Dynasty Emperor Wu sent Zhang Qian on a journey west. The Han were being attacked from the north, east, and west by barbarians. Emperor Wu
wanted to create an alliance with the Yuezhi tribe to the west. Zhang Qian left in 138 BC.
Zhang Qian returned without an alliance, but with information regarding a breed of horse the Hans were unfamiliar with. More journeys to west took
place with the purpose of retrieving the horses and other precious objects for the Emperor. This was the beginning of China's opening up the to west
through the Silk Road.
There are at least 13 different races and ethnicities that were passed by during a journey on the Road. The Han, Uygur, Hui, Tibetan, Mongol, Tajik, Kazakh,
Uzbek, Kazak are a few of the larger groups.
The silk road anciently began in the Han Capital of Changan (present day Xi'an). The Silk Road consisted of many routes, some leading traders a more
northern route and others leading traders a more southern route. All the routes weaved through deserts and other obstacles.
The Gansu Corridor was a popular route to take. Because of barbarians stealing trade goods on the route the Han rulers decided to establish government
control of the Xinjiang region of the route. A government presence was established along the route to help provide secure passage. Thus beginning a long
future of China rule in the western China regions.
Silk was not the only good traded along the Road, however because of its significant presence in trade, the same stuck. Gold, precious metals, ivory,
precious stones, glass, furs, ceramics, jade, bronze, lacquer, and iron were a few of the important items traded on the route. Caravans with as few as 100
camels or as many as 1000 carried on average 500 pounds of goods during every trade.
Goods for trading were not the only things traded on the route. Information was traded between the west and east too.
"The vast amount of ideas and information that we encounter over the world wide web is not unlike the vast amount of ideas and information encountered on the
Silk Road somewhere between China and the west."
Possibly the most influential thing China received from the route was the introduction of Buddhism. Buddhism completely changed the culture of China.
Buddhism over the centuries has become a major theological influence on how China thinks and behaves. Buddhism has shaped the architecture of China with the
introduction of new pagodas and monasteries. Artwork and manuscripts influenced the entire civilization. In Xi'an the Great Goose Pagoda was built to store
more than 600 scriptures brought from India. Literature was influenced and changed forever as well. The great classic Buddhist tale "Tales of a Journey to
the West" is now acknowledged as a literary classic.
The Silk Road historically influenced the entire Asian and European region forever
Sources:
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Taiping Rebellion
Yang Xiuqing failed the imperial exams several times during the mid 1800's. He was from Guangxi Province in Southern China. He suffered from a
mental breakdown, and began to see visions. During these visions he believed it was revealed to him that he was the younger brother of Jesus Christ,
and the son of God.
The mid 1800's were a particularly bad time for China. Western influence was destroying some jobs, there were droughts, famines, and floods.
Economic tensions were rising, the military had suffered deafest from the west, and their was a lot of anti-Machu sentiment. This all led to quite a
lot of unrest in southern China.
The Taiping Rebellion began to breakout with guerilla style battles in Guangxi Province, and quickly gained followers and momentum. Taiping Rebellion
quickly became the largest uprising in modern Chinese history, with millions of followers.
Yang created a military force that was able to plow its way from Guangxi to Nanjing, Jiangsu. The Rebellion took over Nanjing as its capital.
The theological idea of the uprising was to use protestant beliefs in combination with the idea of creating a Utopia. Yang's utopianism beliefs helped
him build confidence about his hopes to overthrow the Qing Dynasty.
The members of the Taiping rebellion were not allowed any concubines, opium, foot binding, or worshiping of idols. Men and women were separated and
treated as two complete difference groups. Man and women did not live together, work together, or fight together. The Taiping even created an all
female battalion complete with female officers. The Kings and leaders however surrounded themselves with concubines, opium, and undisciplined behaviors
(a complete contradiction to what ordinary Taipings were allowed to do).
The Chinese were able to overthrow the rebellion after 14 years of existence. Records show that over 30 million people were killed during the reign and
extinction of the rebellion.
Rebellions like this and other violent religious movements in early modern Chinese history has left a sour taste in China mouth. This is rebellion is
taken into consideration when China thinks about western religious influence.
Back to Top
Yangtze River
Length
3,917 miles
Source(s)
Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China
Mouth
East China Sea, near Shanghai
Countries Flows Through
China
Major Cities Flows By/Through
Shanghai, Congqing, Wuhan, Nanjing
Where Name Comes From
Long River
It is impossible to accurately understand the importance of the Yangtze River to China. The Yangtze begins flowing in the Tibetan Plateau and pours
westward into the China Sea just north of Shanghai. The river flows straight through southern China, creating life everywhere it goes.
The river provides a framework for agricultural development and population now and throughout the entirety of Chinese history. In fact many scientists
believe the Chinese civilization developed along the river plains.
A Neolithic site called Banpo was discovered not too far from Xi'an, and fossils of pre-Dynasty civilizations have been found along the river. The river is
often referred to as "The Cradle of Chinese Civilization."
The Yangtze moves and deposits over 6 billion cubic feet of silt annually. Much of this silt is deposited in Jiangsu and Guangxi Provinces, where
rice is grown. In fact about 40% of China's grain is produced in Yangtze River basins, enough to feed almost half the entire nation of
China. Today China produces 35% of the worlds rice.
Throughout history major Chinese cities and civilizations have popped up near the river. Today the river passes through these major cities:
The river has made Chinese civilizations throughout time possible. The Yangtze Plain is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.
The Three Gorges Dam project has created a huge amount of conversation in China and the world. The dam is located in Hubei Province.
The Dam is 1.5 miles in length and 160 feet tall, making it the largest dam in the world. The dam's turbines are said to create the equivalent of 18
nuclear power plants.
The dam has sparked a great deal of controversy. The most controversial topic being the forced relocation of over a million Chinese from their
homes. Another topic is there are literally thousands of archaeological and historically significant sites that will never be discovered now.
of these 14 tallest peaks in the world of course include Mount Everest, K2, and Kanchenjunga. The range stretches over 1,700 miles. The Himalayas are
also some of the youngest mountains, still growing a few centimeters a year.
of 13,000 to 15,000 feet.
different country.
The Silk Road was the first "Coming out party" for China. Prior to the Silk Road, few people knew anything about China, and even fewer had seen silk.
During the Han Dynasty Emperor Wu sent Zhang Qian on a journey west. The Han were being attacked from the north, east, and west by barbarians. Emperor Wu
wanted to create an alliance with the Yuezhi tribe to the west. Zhang Qian left in 138 BC.
wanted to create an alliance with the Yuezhi tribe to the west. Zhang Qian left in 138 BC.
Zhang Qian returned without an alliance, but with information regarding a breed of horse the Hans were unfamiliar with. More journeys to west took
place with the purpose of retrieving the horses and other precious objects for the Emperor. This was the beginning of China's opening up the to west
through the Silk Road.
place with the purpose of retrieving the horses and other precious objects for the Emperor. This was the beginning of China's opening up the to west
through the Silk Road.
There are at least 13 different races and ethnicities that were passed by during a journey on the Road. The Han, Uygur, Hui, Tibetan, Mongol, Tajik, Kazakh,
Uzbek, Kazak are a few of the larger groups.
Uzbek, Kazak are a few of the larger groups.
The silk road anciently began in the Han Capital of Changan (present day Xi'an). The Silk Road consisted of many routes, some leading traders a more
northern route and others leading traders a more southern route. All the routes weaved through deserts and other obstacles.
northern route and others leading traders a more southern route. All the routes weaved through deserts and other obstacles.
The Gansu Corridor was a popular route to take. Because of barbarians stealing trade goods on the route the Han rulers decided to establish government
control of the Xinjiang region of the route. A government presence was established along the route to help provide secure passage. Thus beginning a long
future of China rule in the western China regions.
control of the Xinjiang region of the route. A government presence was established along the route to help provide secure passage. Thus beginning a long
future of China rule in the western China regions.
Silk was not the only good traded along the Road, however because of its significant presence in trade, the same stuck. Gold, precious metals, ivory,
precious stones, glass, furs, ceramics, jade, bronze, lacquer, and iron were a few of the important items traded on the route. Caravans with as few as 100
camels or as many as 1000 carried on average 500 pounds of goods during every trade.
precious stones, glass, furs, ceramics, jade, bronze, lacquer, and iron were a few of the important items traded on the route. Caravans with as few as 100
camels or as many as 1000 carried on average 500 pounds of goods during every trade.
Goods for trading were not the only things traded on the route. Information was traded between the west and east too.
"The vast amount of ideas and information that we encounter over the world wide web is not unlike the vast amount of ideas and information encountered on the
Silk Road somewhere between China and the west."
Silk Road somewhere between China and the west."
Possibly the most influential thing China received from the route was the introduction of Buddhism. Buddhism completely changed the culture of China.
Buddhism over the centuries has become a major theological influence on how China thinks and behaves. Buddhism has shaped the architecture of China with the
introduction of new pagodas and monasteries. Artwork and manuscripts influenced the entire civilization. In Xi'an the Great Goose Pagoda was built to store
more than 600 scriptures brought from India. Literature was influenced and changed forever as well. The great classic Buddhist tale "Tales of a Journey to
the West" is now acknowledged as a literary classic.
Buddhism over the centuries has become a major theological influence on how China thinks and behaves. Buddhism has shaped the architecture of China with the
introduction of new pagodas and monasteries. Artwork and manuscripts influenced the entire civilization. In Xi'an the Great Goose Pagoda was built to store
more than 600 scriptures brought from India. Literature was influenced and changed forever as well. The great classic Buddhist tale "Tales of a Journey to
the West" is now acknowledged as a literary classic.
The Silk Road historically influenced the entire Asian and European region forever
Sources:
Back to Top
Taiping Rebellion
Yang Xiuqing failed the imperial exams several times during the mid 1800's. He was from Guangxi Province in Southern China. He suffered from a
mental breakdown, and began to see visions. During these visions he believed it was revealed to him that he was the younger brother of Jesus Christ,
and the son of God.
The mid 1800's were a particularly bad time for China. Western influence was destroying some jobs, there were droughts, famines, and floods.
Economic tensions were rising, the military had suffered deafest from the west, and their was a lot of anti-Machu sentiment. This all led to quite a
lot of unrest in southern China.
The Taiping Rebellion began to breakout with guerilla style battles in Guangxi Province, and quickly gained followers and momentum. Taiping Rebellion
quickly became the largest uprising in modern Chinese history, with millions of followers.
Yang created a military force that was able to plow its way from Guangxi to Nanjing, Jiangsu. The Rebellion took over Nanjing as its capital.
The theological idea of the uprising was to use protestant beliefs in combination with the idea of creating a Utopia. Yang's utopianism beliefs helped
him build confidence about his hopes to overthrow the Qing Dynasty.
The members of the Taiping rebellion were not allowed any concubines, opium, foot binding, or worshiping of idols. Men and women were separated and
treated as two complete difference groups. Man and women did not live together, work together, or fight together. The Taiping even created an all
female battalion complete with female officers. The Kings and leaders however surrounded themselves with concubines, opium, and undisciplined behaviors
(a complete contradiction to what ordinary Taipings were allowed to do).
The Chinese were able to overthrow the rebellion after 14 years of existence. Records show that over 30 million people were killed during the reign and
extinction of the rebellion.
Rebellions like this and other violent religious movements in early modern Chinese history has left a sour taste in China mouth. This is rebellion is
taken into consideration when China thinks about western religious influence.
Back to Top
Yangtze River
Length
3,917 miles
Source(s)
Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China
Mouth
East China Sea, near Shanghai
Countries Flows Through
China
Major Cities Flows By/Through
Shanghai, Congqing, Wuhan, Nanjing
Where Name Comes From
Long River
It is impossible to accurately understand the importance of the Yangtze River to China. The Yangtze begins flowing in the Tibetan Plateau and pours
westward into the China Sea just north of Shanghai. The river flows straight through southern China, creating life everywhere it goes.
The river provides a framework for agricultural development and population now and throughout the entirety of Chinese history. In fact many scientists
believe the Chinese civilization developed along the river plains.
A Neolithic site called Banpo was discovered not too far from Xi'an, and fossils of pre-Dynasty civilizations have been found along the river. The river is
often referred to as "The Cradle of Chinese Civilization."
The Yangtze moves and deposits over 6 billion cubic feet of silt annually. Much of this silt is deposited in Jiangsu and Guangxi Provinces, where
rice is grown. In fact about 40% of China's grain is produced in Yangtze River basins, enough to feed almost half the entire nation of
China. Today China produces 35% of the worlds rice.
Throughout history major Chinese cities and civilizations have popped up near the river. Today the river passes through these major cities:
The river has made Chinese civilizations throughout time possible. The Yangtze Plain is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.
The Three Gorges Dam project has created a huge amount of conversation in China and the world. The dam is located in Hubei Province.
The Dam is 1.5 miles in length and 160 feet tall, making it the largest dam in the world. The dam's turbines are said to create the equivalent of 18
nuclear power plants.
The dam has sparked a great deal of controversy. The most controversial topic being the forced relocation of over a million Chinese from their
homes. Another topic is there are literally thousands of archaeological and historically significant sites that will never be discovered now.
mental breakdown, and began to see visions. During these visions he believed it was revealed to him that he was the younger brother of Jesus Christ,
and the son of God.
Economic tensions were rising, the military had suffered deafest from the west, and their was a lot of anti-Machu sentiment. This all led to quite a
lot of unrest in southern China.
quickly became the largest uprising in modern Chinese history, with millions of followers.
him build confidence about his hopes to overthrow the Qing Dynasty.
treated as two complete difference groups. Man and women did not live together, work together, or fight together. The Taiping even created an all
female battalion complete with female officers. The Kings and leaders however surrounded themselves with concubines, opium, and undisciplined behaviors
(a complete contradiction to what ordinary Taipings were allowed to do).
extinction of the rebellion.
taken into consideration when China thinks about western religious influence.
Length |
3,917 miles |
Source(s) |
Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China |
Mouth |
East China Sea, near Shanghai |
Countries Flows Through |
China |
Major Cities Flows By/Through |
Shanghai, Congqing, Wuhan, Nanjing |
Where Name Comes From |
Long River |
westward into the China Sea just north of Shanghai. The river flows straight through southern China, creating life everywhere it goes.
believe the Chinese civilization developed along the river plains.
often referred to as "The Cradle of Chinese Civilization."
rice is grown. In fact about 40% of China's grain is produced in Yangtze River basins, enough to feed almost half the entire nation of
China. Today China produces 35% of the worlds rice.
nuclear power plants.
homes. Another topic is there are literally thousands of archaeological and historically significant sites that will never be discovered now.
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