Download Qin and Han Dynasties

Qin and Han Dynasties
Mandate of Heaven
 Mandate of Heaven – belief
that rulers were in charge
because the gods had given
them the right to rule

It was not permanent!
 What could cause someone
to lose Mandate of Heaven?
Dynastic Cycle
 Rulers in charge because
gods favored them
 If rulers abused power or
ignored their people,
they lose Mandate of
Heaven

New rulers would overthrow
them
Period of Warring States
 From 475 to 221 BC, no
stable government in
China
 Warlords fought each
other for control

Very bloody and chaotic
 What could bring an end
to this violence?
Qin Dynasty
 Period of Warring States
ends because of strong
leader – Shi Huangdi
 Shi Huangdi conquered
all of the warring states,
made into one united
empire
 Forced nobles to live in
capital so he could keep
an eye on them
Legalism – Shi Huangdi
 Philosophy of Qin Dynasty was
Legalism
 Legalism – incredibly strict
philosophy that keeps order
through strict laws and stricter
punishments



“The nature of man is evil. His
goodness is acquired.”
“The ruler alone possesses power,
wielding it like lightning or thunder.”
Goal of Legalism was to “strengthen
the tree and weaken the branches” –
what does this mean?
Accomplishments
 Great Wall of China – Shi
Huangdi ordered a massive
wall built to keep out
invaders

Most of the workers on it were
being punished for crimes.
Working on the Great Wall was
basically a death sentence
 Terra Cotta Army – to
protect his tomb, Shi
Huangdi ordered 8,000
statue soldiers to be built.
He believed he was taking
them into the afterlife with
him.
Han Dynasty
 People angry with harsh treatment
of Qin Dynasty, revolted in 206 BC

Han Dynasty takes over
 Ruled their empire using
Confucianism

Civil service exams – tests people had to
take before they were given government
jobs
 Han Dynasty built roads and canals
to unite their empire
 Expanded their territory – known as
expansionism
 Lasts for 400 years – collapses for
similar reasons as the Roman
Empire



Heavy taxes
Over-expansion – couldn’t maintain or
protect lands
Lousy rulers
Confucianism
 Main philosophy of Han
Dynasty
 Confucianism founded by
Confucius

A teacher who believed that
when people understood their
place in society, harmony was
achieved
 Filial Piety – respect for
elders (#1 priority of
Confucianism)
 Encouraged education,
especially for rulers