In: Psychology
Explain which factor was more influential in the early development of Chinese civilization; geography or economic development; and why?
According to me Geographical factor of China is more influential in the early development of Chinese civilization.
China has a very diverse geographical landscape and this influenced ancient civilization considerably. To the southwest are the towering Himalaya Mountains, whereas the Kunlun and Tien Shan ranges are located on the western border of China. China hosts two deserts: the Taklimakan, which is the world’s second largest desert and is famous for poisonous snakes, sandstorms, and extreme temperatures; and the Gobi Desert, which is characteristically cold and located in the north, stretching to the east. To the east of China is the Pacific Ocean.
Chinese civilization started in the valleys of the Yellow River and the Yangtze River because of the fertile silt deposits there that facilitated agriculture and subsequently led to the rise of dynasties. The rivers were also critical for transportation. However, this diverse geography isolated China from the rest of the world because there was no channel to communicate, interact, and exchange ideas. The geography also isolated the people who lived in different parts of China, leading them to develop their own distinct cultures and dialect.