Transcript Han Dynasty

Zhou, Qin and Han
Dynasties
Zhou Dynasty
1028 BCE - 221 BCE



Beat the Shang Dynasty
claiming the Zhou had
heaven’s approval to rule
China; the “Mandate of
Heaven”
Nobles owned large pieces of
land and peasants worked the
land
Relatives of the royal family
were appointed governor’s of
city-states


Each of these lords raised
his own army
This works at first, but
eventually the begin to fight
among themselves
Achievements of the Zhou


Technological Advances:

Built roads and expanded
trade

Formed a cavalry, made
the cross bow

Chinese writing

Iron plows, irrigation,
flood control
Laozi and Confucianism
Qin Dynasty
221 BCE – 207 BCE


The name China comes from this Dynasty
Ruler was Qin Shi Huangdi “first emperor”


Linked existing fortification into the Great
Wall
Unified China by

Politically: Strong Central government,


limiting power of nobles, uniform code of laws
Physically: Building roads and canals
Culturally: Simplifying and standardizing
writing

also burned books so Chinese would forget
about past diversity
Do you like my Hat?
Han Achievements
206 BCE – 220 CE



Emperor Wu Ti: spread
China west, stopped Hun
invasions
Civil Service System:
Promoted Confucianism
(government officials had to
take tests on Confucian
literature for jobs)
Pax Sinica Height of Power,
prosperity, and culture

Invented sundial, paper,
accurate calendar
Silk Road


Allowed Buddhism to
be introduced from
India
Established trade
routes for silk and
spices Silk Road
 China
to Mediterranean
 Buddhism & culture
spread
 Spread of disease
Fall of Han

Collapse of Han





Military expenditures
Confiscate land & raised
taxes
Widespread revolt
No clear ruler/ in fighting
Fall of Han dynasty led to
400 years of war

Buddhism widely accepted
after this because it
promised eternal peace
Family




Most important part of
society
Hierarchy –
organized onto levels,
oldest male leader
Extended families:
many relatives in one
house
Women were beneath
men and under their
authority
Society

Three Classes


Landowners – wealthy lifestyle supported
by the work of the peasants
Peasants (90%)




Turned over part of what they grew as rent
to the landowners
Required to pay taxes
Required to work on Government projects
one month a year
Merchants –shopkeepers, traders, bankers

Bottom of society because Confucianism
said that working for profit was unworthy