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Warring States Period
and the Qin Dynasty
Towards the end of
the Zhou Dynasty
the aristocratic
families of China
decided to challenge
each other for
control of the
country. The result
was a bloody civil
war costing many
lives…
The Fall of the Zhou and beginning
of the Warring States Period
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The Zhou Dynasty had set up states
ruled by wealthy and powerful
families to build alliances to remain
the Dynasty in power.
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Fighting spreads, challenging the
Zhou’s right to rule. States ran by
families fought the Zhou in a “last
man standing” series of wars.
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Huge armies armed with new iron
weapons were sent to fight. Several
of these armies had new
technologies that helped them be
more effective and deadly then any
other armies before.
New Military techniques for China
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China was one of the first countries
to employ cavalry, or horse mounted
soldiers, in large armies. This will be
copied by many other cultures.
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Chinese warfare was deadlier thanks
to a new invention, the crossbow.
This weapon will later find its way to
Europe in the middle ages, but it
was first used in the Warring States
Period
China’s Defenses: Building the Wall
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As more and more battles took
place, aristocratic families built
walls to protect their lands.
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The walls were not that impressive,
mostly dirt and clay. But they
would be around when the new
dynasty, the Qin came to power.
The first Qin Emperor ordered them
made stronger and to outline
states, protecting it from invaders.
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These will be important for when
the Mongols arrive. Will help
protect major cities!
The Great Wall of China
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The Great Wall is the longest
manmade structure on Earth.
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Completed by the later Ming
Dynasty, the wall spans
almost 4,000 miles! It
contains 25,000 guard towers.
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It is said you can walk it for
65 days or more in parts!
The purposes of the Great Wall
included:
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border control
controlling trade goods
main trade route
control of immigration from
outside China.
Outcome: Rise of the Qin Dynasty
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At the end of the war, the southern
state controlled by the Qin Family
was winning most of its battles.
Everyone else is losing.
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The Qin Family had many resources
and was mostly out of the fighting,
which helped it win.
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The Qin finally claim the thrown
and the Qin Dynasty begins after
almost two hundred years of civil
war.
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The new king is Qui Shihunagdi,
who created a standard currency
and created a grand army of China.
He would be the only Qin ruler.
After his death another civil war for
8 yrs would result in a new dynasty!
Qui Shihunagdi Terra Cotta Army
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Found buried in a field in China in 1974 by farmers digging a
well.
Over 6,000 clay soldiers, chariots, bronze weapons!
Life-sized and each individual, likely each based off a solider.
New ways of thinking: Confucius
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As the Warring States Period began, three
new philosophies developed in China.
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Confucius, a teacher who was upset at the
fighting in China, set forth new ideas to
the rulers of the different aristocratic
families that would change China forever.
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His ideas focused on political and moral
philosophy, but not religious ideas. He said
that humans had to act in harmony with
the Universe.
Confucius’ Ideas: Confucianism
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Confucianism : How you act needs to help your larger community and family.
Highlights relationships, kids honor parents, wives obey husbands. Siblings
should get along.
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Rulers should set good examples and should be compassionate and show
empathy. All people need a “superior man” to rule them. Rulers will get
respect if they act correctly.
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Confucius today is still seen as the foundation of Chinese thought, still taught
in school from Kindergarten to High School.
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Other versions: Daoism-don’t interfere with the universe, whatever happens,
happens. Don’t interfere with the Universe, everything happens for a reason.
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Legalism-Humans evil by nature, so we need strong laws and a strong leader
to have a ordered society. They believed harsh punishments were the only
way to keep mankind in check.