Download Zhou Dynasty 1027 – 256 BC - They created the Mandate of Heaven

Zhou Dynasty 1027 – 256 BC
- They created the Mandate of Heaven that
justified royal authority and establishes the
dynastic cycles
Chinese Emperor
Must rule
according to the
“Dao”
Ruled through the
Mandate of
Heaven
Not divine but
Heaven’s
representative
Called the
Son of Heaven
The name China came from the Qins
Ying Zheng took control of China during the
period of warring states
He took the name Qin Shi Huangdi meaning
“first emperor”
He unified China & under his rule it becomes
the epitome of effective centralized government
• He introduced Legalism as a form of government
- People are inherently bad
- therefore it’s necessary to regulate & control every minute of their
lives
- laws should reward those who obey and punish those who don’t
- he provided a single law code for everyone- so nobility lost power
• He began construction of the Great Wall to protect them from
invaders from Mongolia
• taxes were too great
•He ordered musical instruments
and art forms to be burned. They
were unnecessary because it
taught people to have their own
thoughts.
• he burned books that weren’t
approved by him and more than
400 scholars were executed
After the fall of the Qin dynasty
the peasants rebelled
Emperor Wudi takes China to new heights
Government
•Lowered taxes
•Softened
punishments
•Chose Confucius
scholars as
advisers
Economy
•Began the Silk
Road
• govt officials should win position on
merit not family status
• Confucianism becomes state belief
and will influence China for
the next 2000 years
Science
Medicine
Technology