History HW

See attached.

The third week of class covers ancient civilizations in East Asia, the Americas, and in Australasia/Oceana/Pacific.  Please answer at least ONE of the following questions.  Remember to answer as completely as possible, and explain using specific facts, events, and other points.  Organize the answers and produce well-written efforts.  Work to develop the answer beyond basic facts by explaining points fully.  

As a short cut, you may cite the text as “Bentley and Ziegler, page number” (e.g., Bentley and Ziegler, 108) .  Other sources should be cited fully using the University of Chicago Style (Turabian).  When in doubt, cite and reference completely.

1.  When and how does the Yellow River (Huang He) civilization in China develop?  Discuss the development of societies prior to large-state formation to about 221 B.C. (BCE) .  How is this society similar or different than other river civilizations we have studied?  Explain.

2.  Why did scholars once think the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties more legendary than real?  Explain the legends.  Why now do they have more historical basis than before?  When and how do the Xia and Shang develop?  How did those societies advance?  Discuss.

3.  How does the Zhou Dynasty impact the development of Chinese political and social order?  Why is religion not as important in ancient China and what drives the development of China’s society?  What is the Mandate of Heaven and what is its impact on Chinese politics?  Explain.  What is the role of family in Chinese society?  Explain, providing examples.

4.  What role does Chinese civilization play regarding nomadic and pastoral societies in Central Asia (and vice versa)?  Explain.  What is the relationship between them and why is it often volatile?  How and when does Chinese civilization expand into the Yangzi River and south China?  What influence does China have on East and Southeast Asia?  Explain, providing examples.

5.  When and how does civilization develop in the Americas?  How does human migration impact this development?  Explain.  Where are the centers of civilization in the Americas?  Describe those societies and their organization.  What different societies that appear in Mesoamerica and the Andean plateau and what are their advances?  Explain.  

6.  When and how do Olmec, Mayan, Chavin cult, Teotihuacan civilizations develop and compare with each other?  What are these?  How does trade and war affect these societies?  What about the environment and geography?  What about social organization and religion?  Explain how they decline by 1000 A.D. (CE).

7.  How and when does human migration affect the colonization and development of the Australasia and Oceana/Pacific areas?  Compare Australian aborginal societies with New Guinea and the Pacific islands?  What is similar in their existence and development?  What is different?  Discuss.  Who are the Lapita peoples and why are they important?  The Austronesians?  Explain.

8.  Compare and contrast the civilizations of East Asia, the Americas, and Australasia and Oceana/Pacific?  Are there similarities and differences with previous civilizations we have studied?  Choose two of those civilizations and three of the following and discuss:  social organization, religion and ethics, trade, military power, political structures, and the environment.  Provide examples.

9.  After answering one of the questions above, are there any other issues or questions you would like to your colleagues to consider.  Please post here and discuss.