Download East Asian History and Governments.

Exploring China’s Past
From Gunpowder to Silk and Paper
East Asian History and
Governments.
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The history of E. Asia spans over 4,000 years.
Beginning in around 2,000 BC civilization first
began to emerge in China. China since that time
has been referred to as the “cultural hearth or
center of East Asian Culture.
Chinese Dynasties
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Chang
Zhou
Chin or Qin
Han
China: A nation of Dynasties
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Around 1700 B.C., the Shang dynasty (ruling
house) came to power in China. The Shang
Dynasty lasted until 1100 BC when it was
conquered by the Zhou Dynasty.
The Zhou dynasty extended trade from China
throughout Asia. It was succeeded by the Qin
(Chin) dynasty from which China gets its name.
The Chin
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The Chin dynasty lasted around 700 years until
they were replaced by the Tang dynasty around
550 AD.
The Chin or Quin are responsible for one of
China’s most recognizable buildings: the “Great
Wall of China”. 4,000 miles of the Great Wall
was built by the Chin Dynasty in some 500
years.
The Shang
1750-1122 BC – established as a society that revolved
around warfare.
The king of the Shang controlled a large Army and ruled
through terror. This was accomplished through a
bureaucracy (everyone who worked in the government.)
In order to maintain control Shang kings wished to keep
divine rights monarchy – meaning that the gods wished
them to rule. The Shang accomplished this through
human sacrifice to the ancestors.
Technology in China: Porcelain and
Silk and Bronze
Lost Wax Casting
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The Shang were the first to use “lost wax”
casting on a large scale. Lost Wax casting is
where you make a mold out of clay or plaster in
which you place a wax mold. HOT Bronze is
poured inside, and the bronze replaces the wax
leaving any shape you desire… here are some
examples:
The Zhou
Chang kings ruled through terror and lived in excess
while their people starved. For example, the last Chang
king swam in a swimming pool full of wine. Daily
meals in the royal court involved for just the king : 12
pigs, 150 fowl, 21 varieties of fish and numerous fruits
vegetables and wines.
 Due to this in 1122 BC the Zhou overran the Chin to
become the most powerful people in China.
The Zhou
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1122-256 BC: longest lasting dynasty in Chinese history.
The Zhou continued the government of the Chang, but
added a new Idea:
Mandate of Heaven: a political philosophy that based
the right to rule by divine will. Basically you ruled
because the gods wanted you to.
Mandate of Heaven was enforced by the Dao (dow) – a
ruler had to keep the gods happy or it was the right of
other people to overthrow him.
The Zhou dynasty fell due to a civil war that broke out
between rival aristocrats.
The Qin or (Chin)
221-206 BC
The Chin were the first dynasty to unify ALL of
China. They were the builders of the Great
Wall.
The Chin increased the efficiency of the farmers to
allow for larger populations. The Qin also
created techniques for making Iron weapons.
The Qin advanced Chinese technology to
include the cross bow and iron spears
Qin Continued
Qin Shihaundi – first emperor of China, and founder of
the Chin dynasty.
The Chin or Qin were the first to create a government
city. This was known as the forbidden city. It lies on
the outskirts of present day Beijing.
The Qin created a system that included local and federal
leadership, with local civil servants handling the day to
day affairs. To enforce this they created an army of
greater than 600,000 men.
The Han Dynasty
202 BC – 220 AD
The last of the early Chinese dynasties.
The Han dynasty softened the government of that
had been in place under the Qin. The Han
dynasty replaced legalism with Confucianism.
Meaning that rule of law was not written in
stone with punishments of death for many
crimes, but instead was based on philosophy
with punishments based on individual action.
Technology under the Han
The compass
 The ships rudder
Crude gun powder which would be further
developed during the early middle ages, and
brought to Europe by 1300.
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