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The Political Development of Imperial China
16.1-16.3 Reading Notes
16.1 Introduction
What were the three
approaches to
government in
imperial China?
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16.2 The
Government of
Imperial China
How did imperial
Chinese emperors
justify their right to
rule?
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16.3 Aristocracy:
The Tang Dynasty
Did the Tang
emperors make sure
they chose the best
people to run the
government? Why
or why not?
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Historians divide Chinese history into periods ruled by ______________, or ruling
families.
In this chapter, you will learn about China’s political development from
________________ to ________________ CE.
Over time, Chinese emperors tried several ways of finding ____________________
people to ____________________________ their government.
One method was to rely on an ___________________________ of wealthy land
owners.
During the Han dynasty, ________________________ for government jobs had to
prove their __________________________ and _____________________ by passing
strict tests. As a result, a class of _________________________________ evolved.
Under later emperors, this system developed into a _______________________, or rule
by officials of ____________________ ____________.
In the 13th century, a nomadic people called the ____________________ took over
China. Under this _____________________ ______ _____________________, some
officials were friends and relatives of the emperor.
In 221 BCE, [Qin Shihuangdi] became the first Chinese ruler to claim the title of
______________________.
From that time on, China generally had an ___________________ government.
Chinese rulers based their right to rule on the _______________________ of
_____________________.
The Han dynasty of ancient China held power for more than ____________ years.
By 220 CE, __________________ (dishonest) ________________ and servants of the
emperor ____________________ control of the government. The result was disastrous:
1. Workers ___________________________________________________________
2. Bandits ____________________________________________________________
3. Warlords ___________________________________________________________
4. Small farmers________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
No new dynasty took over for the Han. Instead, China ____________ _____________
into ___________________ ___________________.
In 618, a general named ____ _____________ established the ______________
dynasty.
Like emperors before them, Tang rulers relied on a large ________________________.
Officials __________________ _____________ and oversaw __________________
and ________________________ projects.
They provided for the _________________ and made sure the ______________ were
___________________.
Early in the [Tang] dynasty, emperors chose _______________________ for most highlevel ______________.
Some officials were hired because their ______________ or ______________________
had held high government rank.
Often, aristocrats gained positions by ____________________ into the imperial family.
Even _______________ __________________ ________________________ favored
aristocrats.
Only the __________________could ______________ tutors, books, and time to study.
___________________ rebellions and battles between generals ended the Tang dynasty
in 907 CE.
The Political Development of Imperial China
16.1-16.3 Reading Notes