Review for S.E. Asia Test

1
Review for S.E. Asia Test

• Ganges River Valley
• 1. Holy river to Hindus-feel that if ashes are in
  river, they have smooth transition to next life
• 2. Its fertile soil is important to agriculture
  in India and Bangladesh. River provides
  irrigation to large area. Main crops are grown
  in this area (rice, sugar cane, lentils,
  potatoes, wheat)
• 3. Important as water resource and for
  transportation

2
Huang River Valley

• 1. Gave rise to one of 4 cradles of civilization
  on earth.
• 2. Primitive people developed agriculture,
  domesticated animals, developed social
  organizations and communication.
• 3. Heavy rains in Kunlin Mountains carry loess
  (rich topsoil) into the valley.
• 4. Was best place in China to store extra food
  and protect their settlements from wandering
  tribes.

3
RELIGION

• India Hinduism
• How it impacts culture belief in reincarnation
  impacted way people lived their lives and
  followed the caste system.
• If they led good life rewarded by being in
  higher caste in their next life.
• Caste determined job, marriage partner, and
  friends.
• Art and literature also impacted.

4
RELIGION

• China - Buddhism
• How it impacts culture belief that group is
  more important than individual.
• Belief in 4 noble truths life is full of pain,
  suffering comes from desire for possessions, if
  people stop desiring possessions they will no
  longer suffer, and goal of life is to be free
  from desires and pain.
• In this way, they believe one can progress to
  nirvana (a state of happiness and peace).

5
RELIGION

• Japan Shinto
• How impacts culture teaches that supernatural
  beings (spirits) live in all objects and forces
  of nature. Have deep respect for nature and the
  dead. Bring beauty and nature into everyday
  life.
• Do not have sacred text ideas passed by word of
  mouth. Ideas became rituals and traditions.
  People live by example. Worshipped ancestors
  spirits, respect for others, truth, and honesty.
  Brings Japan together as a unified force and
  culture.
• Are conformists and have a homogeneous culture.

6

• Why do people live where they live?
• River systems (Ganges and Huang). Rivers
  provided needed resources like land for farming
  and water for farming, trade and transportation.
• Mountains (Himalayas). Areas too high and too
  cold for people to settle there. Mountains were
  difficult to travel and made trading difficult.
• Deserts (Gobi and Taklimakan). Areas too hot for
  settlements. Also too dry couldnt grow
  crops.