history

HOW GEOGRAPHY EFFECTS CHINA 
The geography of China has played a major role in separating and isolating the country from the outside world.  Mountains, deserts, and highlands, located primarily in the west, have served to concentrate people in the fertile river valleys of the east.  The rugged western features hindered foreign invaders, trade, and communication.  Because of the vastness of China's territory, the Chinese came to view their country as encompassing the entire world, as "All Under Heaven."

    Highlands or plateau regions are not suitable for extensive agriculture because of their high altitude and harsh climate.  One such example is the Tibetan Highlands in the southwest of China.  The highlands offer opportunities for cattle-grazing and sheep-grazing, which are the major occupations, because they require a large amount of land but few herders.  As a result, the population density in the highlands or plateau regions is rather low and scattered, with limited contact between groups of people.

    China also has large desert areas.  The Gobi Desert, located in the north central area is a large, arid, sparsely populated region which has both a low annual rainfall and cold temperatures.  These two factors make the Gobi a very inhospitable region and, thus, lead to a low population density.  The Taklamakan Desert is located in the west, north of the Tibetan Highlands.  These deserts have served to isolate China from the peoples found to the north and west.

    Mountain ranges have also served to physically and geographically isolate China.  Since the practice of agriculture is virtually impossible in these rugged and inhospitable areas, the population density is very low.  The mountains also present a major physical barrier to trade, transportation, and communication.  The Altai Mountains are found in the northwest, and the Himalayas form a barrier between China and the Indian subcontinent.

    As a result of the rugged landforms found in the west (highlands, plateaus, deserts, and mountains), the population density is low in these isolated, inhospitable areas.  While these landforms have served as deterrents to outside invaders, they have also limited cultural contact between China and the rest of Asia and with Europe.  Limited trade contacts and some cultural diffusion took place along the Silk Road, an ancient overland trade route which connected eastern Asia with western and southern Asia, as well as with Europe and the Mediterranean region.  The majority of Chinese people, concentrated in the fertile eastern river valleys in the region called China Proper, were often protected from outside invaders and largely sheltered from outside influences.  As a result of these factors, the culture and civilization of China developed in a unique and distinctive manner.



THE IMPACT OF THE ANCIENT GREEKS
    The ancient Greeks helped to build Western civilization.  Their ideas, art, architecture, and literature influenced ancient Rome and Europe during and after the Middle Ages.  Democratic forms of government developed in Athens and other Greek city-states.

    Greek artists and architects introduced new art forms which influenced later generations.  The citizens of the Greek city-states tried to beautify their cities.  Greek sculptors created statues that emphasized the beauty of the human body.  Greek architects built well-proportioned temples and public buildings.  They developed the Doric, Ionian, and Corinthian styles of columns.  One of the most famous examples of Greek architecture is the Parthenon, a temple built on the acropolis in Athens.  Later Roman and European artists were inspired by the art and architecture of ancient Greece.

    Greek writers created modern forms of drama.  The first plays developed were part of religious celebrations held to honor the gods.  To represent the characters they played, the actors (always men) wore extravagant masks and costumes.  As the play proceeded, a chorus of actors commented on the actions of the characters.  Their plays were staged in outdoor theaters.  Although many were based on Greek myths, they always portrayed human problems and conflicts.  Relationships between family members and between the gods and humans also became part of the drama.  For example, the plays of Euripides dealt with topics like the horrors of war and the treatment of women.  Other writers of tragedies (plays that dealt with issues and relationships that ended in disaster and disgrace) included Aeschylus and Sophocles.  In "Anitgone" Sophocles dealt with the moral dilemma of an individual in conflict with the power of the state.  Aeschylus demonstrated how pride and the role of the gods could bring down a powerful family.  Aristophanes, the greatest writer of comedies, ridiculed people and customs, including philosophers and warriors.

    The mountainous geography of Greece led to the creation of many city-states.  A city-state included a central town or city and the surrounding farms and villages.  Some city-states were ruled by small groups of important families or wealthy men.    The idea of democracy was born in some of the city-states of ancient Greece.  Athens, for example, practiced direct democracy.  In Athens, all male citizens had the right to vote on laws in the Assembly.  They could also serve on juries.  But Athenian democracy was limited to free men.  Women, slaves, and Greeks from other city-states could not vote.

    The ancient Greeks laid the foundation for many aspects of modern Western society.  They laid the basis for the modern theater.  The simplicity and beauty of their art and architecture was copied during and after the European Renaissance.  The Greek belief that the people should have a voice in their government has continued to inspire people into the 20th century.