Download Cyberhunt Chinese Government

Name ____________________________ Class____________Date _______________
Cyberhunt
Chinese Government
Navigate the websites listed with each question to learn more about the early
dynasties of China and how the people were governed during each dynasty.
The first five dynasties are:
List the year each began and ended.
http://library.thinkquest.org/12255/library/dynasty/dynasty.htm
1. Xia
2. Shang
3. Zhou
4. Qin
5. Han
Xia Dynasty
http://www.lcsc.edu/modernchina/u2s1p1.htm
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/encyclopedia/X/Xi/Xia_Dynasty.htm
http://emperor.heavengames.com/history/shorts/ancientchina/xia
1. For many years, the Xia Dynasty was considered to be a myth. Describe
what discoveries have led archaeologists to change their opinion about this.
2. List and describe the achievements of the Xia Dynasty.
Shang Dynasty
http://www.lcsc.edu/modernchina/u2s1p1.htm
http://members.tripod.com/~jonbyrdjonbyrd/shang.html
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/ancient_china/shang.html
3. The Shang Dynasty was an aristocracy with a king at the head of the
government. Tell about the other levels of society and how they helped the
king to rule.
4. The Shang Dynasty was the first dynasty of which written records have been
found. Many of these records were found on “Oracle Bones.” Describe how
these were used.
5. List and describe the other achievements of the Shang Dynasty.
Zhou Dynasty
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/ancient_china/zhou.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/12255/library/dynasty/zhou.html
http://www.amonline.net.au/exhibitions/two_emperors/pdf/07_zhou.pdf
6. The Zhou leaders established a feudal system of government. Describe how
this system worked. Include the levels of society that supported the leaders of
the Zhou Dynasty.
7. Zhou leaders believed in the “Mandate of Heaven”. Describe this practice.
8. The Zhou contributed many technological advances. One advance was the
use of iron tools. How did the use of iron tools affect the people of China?
9. List and describe other achievements of the Zhou Dynasty.
10. List the three religions or doctrines that gained popularity during the Zhou
Dynasty.
Qin Dynasty
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/early_imperial_china/qin.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/12255/library/dynasty/qin.html
http://emperor.heavengames.com/history/shorts/earlyimperialchina/qin
11. Name the leader of the Qin Dynasty who began the tradition of emperors as
rulers of China. Describe his method of rule. How did the power of the
nobles change during the Qin Dynasty?
12. How did Legalism affect the lives of the people in the Qin Dynasty?
13. List and describe the achievements of the Qin Dynasty. Describe the
monuments built or expanded during the Qin Dynasty.
Han Dynasty
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/early_imperial_china/han.html
14. By the end of the Qin Dynasty, the people were tired of Shi huandgi’s harsh
rule and Legalist government. Confucianism became acceptable again during
the Han Dynasty. How did this affect the people?
15. China became more unified during the Han Dynasty. How did this affect the
government during this dynasty?
16. List and describe the achievements of the Han Dynasty.
Expansion of China
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/ancient_china/xia.html
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/ancient_china/shang.html
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/ancient_china/zhou.html
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/early_imperial_china/qin.html
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/early_imperial_china/han.html
17. Use the sites above to observe the expansion of territory under the control of
the dynasties throughout early Chinese history.