Transcript The Qin and Han Dynasties

The Qin and Han Dynasties
Four Chinese Dynasties
Qin Shihuangdi
Emperor Qin Shihuangdi
• Qin was a ruler of a local
state during the Zhou
dynasty
• He gradually took over
neighboring states and
declared himself Qin
Shihuangdi, or First Qin
Emperor.
• Qin’s rule was based on
Legalism
• Qin abolished the officials’
authority to pass their posts
on to their sons.
• He also censored ideas he
found to be offensive or
dangerous.
Emperor Qin Shihuangdi
• He became the only person authorized to
fill empty posts.
• Qin united China, created one type of
currency, ordered the building of roads
and buildings, and connected the Chang
Jiang to central China by canal.
Emperor Qin Shihuangdi
• The Great Wall of China was built
to protect the Chinese from the
Xiongnu, a nomadic people living
north of China. Built over many
dynasties, but started with the Qin.
• Chinese people believed Qin
Shihuangdi was a harsh ruler, and
they overthrew his dynasty after his
death.
The Qin and Han Dynasties
The Han Dynasty
• Liu Bang founded the
Han dynasty in 202 B.C.
• He was from a poor
family, but had good
advisors. Knew that
cruelty was a recipe for
being overthrown.
Lowered taxes and the
economy flourished.
The Han Dynasty
• The population tripled during the Han
dynasty.
• Farmers had to divide their land among
more and more sons, which left them with
very little land
• Farmers sold their land to aristocrats and
became tenant farmers to survive.
Han Government
• Strong Central government. Why?
• Because a strong central government can
easily rule a larger area.
• Civil Service established. This is a MAJOR
contribution of the Han.
– People tested for their positions in government; not
hereditary.
– Students prepared for many years to
take the exams.
– First exams given under Emperor Wudi, the 5th Han
Emperor, and the most famous Han Emperor.
Travels West
• Wudi wanted to find allies to fight the Xiongnu
(Mongols) so he sent a General, Zhang Qian to
find tribes to attack the Mongols.
• Gen. Qian was captured by the Mongols, but
encountered Romans in the areas around
Mesopotamia; described them when he
returned home.
• China moved west slightly, and that opened up
trade routes.
The Silk Road
• Silk was the most
valuable trade
product.
• The Silk Road was an
overland trade route
extended from
western China to
southwest Asia.
Han Social Order
• Han social order based on Confucius; valued
mental and physical labor. Scholars important.
• Anyone who made something (farmers grew
food, artisans respected for skills). Merchants
were not respected because they didn’t make
anything of importance.
• Slavery did exist.
– Legal punishment
– Family sold off a family member to pay a debt.
Han Social Order
• Remember Confucius’ teachings? Adult
children who disrespected parents were
punished under the law.
• Women treated well, but rarely educated.
Important Han Achievements
• Arts: painting, sculpture, poetry. Also,
calligraphy developed.
– Created lacquer from tree sap; protective coating
that was put on wood and made it stronger.
• Science: Calculated solar year, created herbal
medicines, and came up with acupuncture.
•
• Inventions: waterwheel, the rudder, drill bits,
steel, paper, seismometer, and wheel barrows
Important Han Achievements
• Arts: painting, sculpture, poetry. Also,
calligraphy developed.
– Created lacquer from tree sap; protective coating
that was put on wood and made it stronger.
• Science: Calculated solar year, created herbal
medicines, and came up with acupuncture.
•
• Inventions: waterwheel, the rudder, drill bits,
steel, paper, seismometer, and wheel barrows
Major Changes in China
• Buddhism spread from India to China.
• Buddhism helped people cope with the
chaotic times.
• The Han dynasty fell after wars, rebellions,
and plots against the emperor.
• Civil war began, and nomads invaded the
country before the government collapsed.
The Qin and Han Dynasties
How did the invention of the rudder
change Chinese trade?
With the rudder, the Chinese could
move ships’ sails differently. Ships
could now sail into the wind rather
than with it. This meant Chinese
ships could travel to the islands of
Southeast Asia and the Indian
Ocean.
The Qin and Han Dynasties
What empire had General Zhang
Qian encountered during his 13year trip west and how did he
describe it upon his return?
He had visited the Roman Empire
and described the large cities with
people wearing embroidered clothes
and driving chariots.
The Qin and Han Dynasties
How did Buddhism become popular
in China?
First, merchants from India brought
Buddhism to China. During the
unrest of the fall of the Han dynasty,
people found comfort in the
teachings of Buddhism, and more
people began practicing the
Buddhist religion.