Transcript Zhou Dynasty (1029-258 BCE)

Zhou Dynasty (1029-258
B.C.E)
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Expanded the territorial boundaries of
China by seizing the Yangtze River
valley.
This stretch of territory, from Hwang-Ho
to the Yangtze, became China’s core—
often called the “Middle Kingdom.” Rich
cropland.
The Zhou did not set up a powerful
central government, ruling instead
through alliances with regional princes
and noble families.
Zhou Dynasty (1029-258
B.C.E)
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This resulted in vulnerabilities to
regional disloyalties and the dynasty
ultimately declined when regional landowning aristocrats solidified their own
power base and disregarded the central
government.
Philosophers sought to explain the
confusion. Confucious became the most
important. Social and political philosophy
became an important doctrine in the Qin
and Han dysnasty’s.
Zhou Dynasty (1029-258
B.C.E)
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Mandarin became the official state
language providing the largest
single official language group in the
world helping establish cultural
unity.
Qin Dynasty (221-202
B.C.E.)
Centralized state rule, which
eliminated local and regional
political competitors. Brutal but
effective emperor.
 Expanded the boundaries of China
to include Hong Kong and north
Vietnam.
 Great Wall of China, built by forced
labor, largest construction project
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Qin Dynasty (221-202
B.C.E.)
Leader instituted a number of
innovations in order to build up the
power of the central government.
 National census = tax revenues and
labor service. Standardized
coinage, weights, and measures
through the entire region.
 Very abusive.
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Han Dynasty(202 B.C.E.-220
C.E.)
Retained centralized administration
but brutal repression was lightened
 Expanded territory through peace
while embracing more territory and
a far larger population.
 Peace brought prosperity to China.
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Han Dynasty (202 B.C.E.-220
C.E.)
Confucianism was emphasized and
seen as a vital supplement to
formal government measures;
shrines set up to worship the
ancient philosopher as a god.
 Nomadic invasions (Huns)
overturned the dynasty.
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Civil Service Exam
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Early Han leader, Wu Ti, expanded Chinese
territory to set up formal training based on
Confucian philosophy for bureaucrats.
Becomes the Scholar-Gentry class.
If you can pass the Civil Service
examination, based on Confucian ideals,
you could become a bureaucrat.