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