Download Dynasties of China PPT

The Political Development of
Imperial China
The Government of Imperial
China
• Mandate of
Heaven- Heaven
supported the
dynasty for as
long as the
emperor ruled
well.
China’s First Dynasty: Qin
221-206 B.C.E.
• Imperial China (ruled by an
emperor)
• Dynasties (ruling families)
• 221 B.C.E. (first emperor) Qin
Shihuangdi unites 7 kingdoms
of China to become first
emperor.
The Han Dynasty
• Han Dynasty ruled during a golden age
from 206 B.C.E. to 220 C.E.
Han dynasty uses civil service exams
based on Confucianism.
Confucianism
• Confucius (pictured)
taught that people
must act properly in
five important
relationships: ruler
and subject, father
and son, older sibling
and younger sibling,
husband and wife,
and friend and
friend. Those above
should be kind; those
below should show
respect and obey.
Confucianism
• Emperors believed
that government
officials who had
studied Confucius
would be rational,
moral, and able to
maintain order.
The Han Lose the Mandate of
Heaven.
• 360 years of chaos follows as China breaks up
into smaller kingdoms and warlords (a
military leader operating outside the control
of the government) fight for control.
The Sui dynasty reunites
China.
• Dynasty rules from 589 until 618.
The Tang Dynasty: 618-907
• Tang mostly used
educated
aristocracy (a
ruling class of
noble families) as
scholar-officials to
run government
Tang Civil Service Examinations
• The Tang dynasty
(like the Han
dynasty) used civil
service examinations
based on the works
of Confucius.
Collapse of the Tang
• Peasant rebellions help lead to Tang
collapse in 907
• Chaos for 50 to 60 years
The Song Dynasty: 960-1279
• Song reunify
country in 960
• Song create
meritocracy (rule
by officials that
earn their
positions)
Neo-Confucianism
• Neo-Confucianism a blend of Confucius
teachings with
elements of
Buddhism and
Daoism became the
basis of civil service
exams in 1190.
Meritocracy
• Song made it so
people from
lower classes
could get
education to
pass exams.
Mongol Invasion
• Song dynasty ends with invasion by the
Mongols
Yuan Dynasty: 1279-1368
• Temujin, Genghis
Khan starts Mongol
empire in 1206 and
conquers Northern
China
• Kublai Khan,
completes conquest
of China, begins
Yuan dynasty.
Mongol Empire
Government by Foreigners
• Under Yuan, Mongols and
foreigners (such as Marco
Polo) controlled all the
important government
positions.
• Abandonment of civil
service exams.
The Ming Dynasty: 1368-1644
• Mistreatment of
Chinese cause
rebellion.
• Ming re-establishes
civil service
examinations.
Advantages of Ming Civil
Service System
• well-organized
government;
emphasized moral
behavior, justice,
kindness, loyalty to
emperor, proper
conduct, loyalty to
family; it gave poor
men an opportunity
to be government
official; it ensured
that government
officials were trained
and talented
Disadvantages of Ming Civil
Service System
• Exams did not test
science, mathematics,
and engineering;
Confucian scholars
had little respect for
merchants, business,
and trade;
bureaucracy became
set in its way and was
unable to adapt.
China Develops a New Economy
Under the Song Dynasty
A new type of rice allowed farmers
to plant at least two crops of rice per
year--- Rice production increased-Population increased (especially
in south) and landowners became
wealthier--Trade increased as
landowners wanted to spend money
on luxury goods--Traders brought
more luxury items to local markets-Large cities developed.
Changes in Agriculture
• Many farmers fled
south from Huang He
river basin to Chang
Jiang river basin to
escape Mongols.
• New type of rice and
improvements in
agriculture (plow,
harrow, and chain
pump)
• Peasants also grow
tea, cotton, sugar, and
mulberry trees.
• Surplus of food leads
to specialization which
leads to growth of
cities.
The Growth of Trade and Commerce
• The landowners
demand for luxuries
spurred trade.
• A vast network of rivers
and canals (including the
Grand Canal) connected
different parts of China.
• Improvements in
navigation increased
overseas trade.
• Increased trade lead to
copper shortage which
lead to paper currency
• Increased trade lead to
merchant class.
• China attains highest
standard of living in the
world.
• Growth of cities
Urbanization
• People moved to cities for economic opportunities.
• Marco Polo is amazed by the size of Chinese cities.
• Women lose status in cities and foot binding becomes a
common practice.