Transcript Slide 1
Qin and Han Dynasties !I. Fall of the Zhou Dynasty A. In 256 BC Qin forces defeated the Zhou Dynasty B. In 221 BC- Qin Shihuangdi became king of Qin . II. Qin Dynasty A. “Wang” meant king in Shang and Zhou Dynasty B. The Qin dynasty wanted a new word for emperor • Shi means first. • Huangdi means emperor • The first emperor was named Qin Shihuangdi • Emperors used “huangdi” until AD 1912 C. Qin Dynasty lasted for 15 years (221-206 BC) D. Qin kept great control over territory by dividing the empire into 36 provinces. • In each province there were smaller rulers E. Legalism was applied during the Qin dynasty a. People were not allowed to criticize the government • Critics might have been burned alive, boiled In pots, or have their hands cut off III. Emperor Qin’s Achievements A. Emperor Qin unified China: 1.Created one type of currency $$ to be used 2 Constructed roads and canals 3 Standardized weights and measurements 4 Made taxes and laws the same throughout the country Qin Dynasty IV. The Great Wall A. Built to keep enemies (Xiongnu from the north) out B. Signaled invasions with flags or fire C. 300,000 men worked on the wall– 30 feet high – 25 feet wide at the base – 15 feet wide at the top D. Not a complete success: – Thousands swarmed over or around wall – Thousands of people died building it The Great Wall . V.Fall of the Qin Dynasty A.Many thought Shihuangdi was a cruel leader B.Four years after the emperor died, people overthrew his dynasty C.The name “China” as we call it is from the name of its first emperor Qin (or chin) VI Han Dynasty A. Liu Bang founded the Han Dynasty B. He called himself Han Gaozu meaning “Exalted Emperor of Han” C. Han Gaozu threw out the harsh rules of the Qin Dynasty but kept the empire divided into provinces Liu Bang/Han and counties Gaozu VII Han Wudi A. After Han Gaozu ruled, Han Wudi- came into power. B. Wudi wanted smart people to work in the government C. He made the applicants take difficult tests, and those with the highest scores got the jobs. D. These tests were called the civil service examinations and were used for 2,000 years E. Problem with the civil service exams: – It favored the rich, because only wealthy people could afford to educate their sons for these tests VIII Chinese Empire A. Empire grew in size and population A. Han armies gained land in the South and in the West B. made the country more secure, which led China to remain at peace for 150 years. B. New forms of Chinese literature and art appeared C. Confucianism became the official belief system and was popular because the government was stable which helped strengthen family ties. D. Han rulers adopted some Daoist principles A. They made fewer laws and fought fewer wars Han Dynasty Inventions Waterwheel Rudder Acupuncture • Waterwheels- to grind grain • Ironworkers invented steel • Paper was invented to keep government documents • Doctors discovered certain foods that prevented disease – Herbs cured illnesses – Pain was eased by sticking needles into patient’s skin (acupuncture) • Invented the rudder- these allowed ships to sail into the wind, which led the Chinese to new countries to trade Han Dynasty Silk Road • Han Wudi sent out general, Zhang Qian to explore areas West of China • Zhang traveled for 13 years and found a kingdom where there were large and strong horses. • Wudi wanted these horses for his own army, so he Silk encouraged trade to get these horses. • The Result: The Silk Road – A 4,000 mile trade route from China to the Mediterranean Sea – brought China in contact with many civilizations in Asia, India, and Egypt – led to an exchange of many different goods and ideas – Chinese made a lot of money by trading valuable products like silk, spices, tea, and porcelain Porcelain Bowl