Transcript DYNASTIC RULE IN CHINA

China Reunifies
Ch. 7.1
Period of Disunion
Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties
Han Dynasty (Preceded By Qin Dynasty)
* A golden age for a united China (206B.C.E.-220C.E.)
Rise to Power• the basis for united Chinese government was established during the Han
Dynasty when people living in northern and southern China were unified
• Han called China “Zhao Guo” or “The Middle Kingdom” because they
believed they were the center of the “civilized” world
Government• Emperor was called “Son of Heaven” because the Chinese believed that the
gods chose the Emperor and his family to be the political and religious
leaders.
• This diving choice was called “The Mandate of Heaven”.
Belief Systems• Han emperors governed according to Confucian political principles which
stressed hard work, loyalty, and respect.
Daily Life• Many Chinese today call themselves “the people of the Han”because they
consider the Han period a “golden age” for a united China.
Period of Disunion (220-589)
• After the Han dynasty fell there was a time of disorder.
Government:
• Control of government changed as the rival kingdoms were ruled
by military leaders.
Belief System:
• Buddhism spread because it promised an escape from suffering
Daily Life:
• There was cultural blending as some Chinese adopted nomads
culture, and some nomads adopted Chinese culture.
• New types of art, music, food and clothing were created
• War was common and nomadic people settled in Northern China
Sui Dynasty (“sway”) (589-618C.E.)
Rise to Power
• In 589 Yang Jian (jee-en) conquered the south and reunified China for the
first time in 400 years.
• He was later called Wen Di, meaning “civic” or “polished” Emperor
Government
• Wen Di and his son Yang Di (his son) are remembered in Chinese history
for their harsh rule.
• Forced many peasants to fight in army or to work on extensive public works
projects
Belief Systems
• Wen Di was a Buddhist, also encouraged practice of Buddhism
Confucianism, and Daoism
Daily Life
• Grand Canal completed in A.D. 610 and connected the yellow River in the
north with the Yangzi River in the south.
• Rebuilding of the Great Wall first established by the Qin Dynasty(221206B.C.E.), provided security from northern raiders
Tang Dynasty(618-907C.E.)
*Economic development and growth; many inventions and discoveries
*Ruled for over 300 years
Rise to Power
• in 618, Li Shi Min captured Changan and Luoyang and overthrew old
government, making himself Emperor Dai Zong in 626
Government
• under Wu Zhao, China’s only empress, the Tang ruled one of
the most geographically extensive empires in Chinese history
• government composed of departments, each with its own area
• bureaucrats upheld Confucian ideals by acting as artists and
Politicians
Belief Systems
• Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism flourished, though Buddhism was
repressed during the reign of Emperor Wu Zong
Daily Life
• equal-field system limited power or rural aristocracy
• scholar class became new ruling elite
• land reform gave some peasants a chance to gain wealth
Empress Wu…
Wanted: Former Empress Wu
• Vicious & ruthless
methods of ruling
•Murdering the
emperor’s wife
•Strangling her daughter
•Exiling family members
under no crime
This plaque is commemorating the great Empress Wu for
her wonderful achievements and contributions to China
during her respective rule
Under her rule she was able to
unite China and create a
prosperous empire. She
welcomed foreigners which
brought new ideas and
religions, like Buddhism into
China. Empress Wu’s most
important contribution was
when she changed the
government from a military
aristocracy to a more
scholarly bureaucracy.
For these great accomplishments
we do honor her