Download The Qin and the Han Dynasties

Have out your China Packet
Ch. 7 Early China
Lesson 6: The Qin (Chihn)
and the Han (Hahn) Dynasties
pp. 184-191
Objectives
•
6.35 List the policies and achievements of the emperor Shi Huang and
explain how these contributed to the unification of northern China under the
Qin Dynasty and the construction of the Great Wall of China. (H, P)
•
6.36 Detail the political contributions of the Han Dynasty and determine how
they contributed to the development of the imperial bureaucratic state and
the expansion of the empire. (H, P)
•
6.37 Cite the significance of the trans-Eurasian “silk roads” in the period of
the Han Dynasty and Roman Empire and their locations. (E, G, H)
•
6.38 Describe the diffusion of Buddhism northward to China during the Han
Dynasty
The Qin Emperor
• Qin (chihn) was one of the strong
rulers during the Period of the
Warring States
• Qin sent a cavalry – army of men on
horseback – out to battle
• Defeated the surrounding territories
and ended the Zhou dynasty
• Controlled China from the Huang He
to the Chang Jiang
• Declared himself Qin Shi huangdi
– (Chihn Shee hwahng dee)
– means “the First Qin Emperor”
How Did Qin Change China?
Qin brought changes to Chinese government that
would last for many centuries:
1)Qin wanted to strengthen and unify China
2) He took control of the territories (before, under
the Zhou rule, aristocrats positions of governing
the territories was hereditary)
Now only Qin had the power to appoint the
governors
– Ruled with absolute control and punishment
– Anyone who disagreed was punished and killed
– Writings that displeased Qin were burned
Qin Shi Huangdi’s Reign of Terror
• Many people admired Confucius and his
teachings.
• If you were caught studying his ideas, you would
risk being buried alive – along with your family!
• This means he believed in which philosophy of
life?
• Legalism – all should follow strict rules that have
severe penalties if broken
• Why? Just because you didn’t share the
emperor’s political view.
– How is that different from a democracy? (the
government of the U.S.?
3) Appointed Censors
• AKA governors
• This increased government
power
• These overseers made sure
government workers did
their work
4) Qin created currency or money
that everyone had to use =
standardized.
• Created a uniform system
• This made trading easier throughout China
5) Writing system was simplified
• Scholars were hired to make the writing
system easier
• and set rules for writing system – how and
when it was to be used
6) Building projects
• Ordered farmers to build
– Palaces
– Roads
– Dams
– The Great Wall
– A huge, grand canal that connected the
Chang Jiang River in central China to many
territories in southern China
• This canal was used to transport supplies to
soldiers throughout the territories
– Qin’s tomb
Shi Huangdi Qin’s Tomb
• In March of 1974, Chinese peasants digging a
well near Xi'an in the central province of Shaanxi
found some unusual pottery fragments. Then,
deeper down at eleven feet, they unearthed a
head made of terra cotta (baked earth or clay).
They notified the authorities and excavation of
the site began immediately. To date, workers
have dug up about eight thousand sculpted clay
soldiers, and the site has proved to be one of the
greatest archaeological discoveries of all time.
Terra Cotta Soldiers
Grand Canal
• Shi Huangdi Qin built a canal that
connected Chang Jiang to the Guangzhou
in Southern China
Why was the Great Wall Built?
• To keep out
invaders
– Nomads and
herders moved
their animals
along the Gobi
desert
– Xiongnu –
skilled warriors
who fought on
horseback and
often attacked
Chinese
settlements
The Great Wall of China Facts
• The Great Wall of China was built
over about 2000 years by several
different Chinese emperors,
starting in BC 475, to protect the
people from their enemies, the
Huns.
• The Wall is a unique structure that
is considered one of the seven
wonders of the world. It snakes
through the mountains of China for
4,500 miles. That's longer than the
distance across from New York to
California by about 1,000 miles!
• The Great Wall is 25 feet tall and
15-30 feet wide. That's wide
enough for two cars to drive on!
The Great Wall Facts
•
The Ming Dynasty's rebuilding made it more
elaborate with watchtowers, battlements and
cannons. Leading the great wall to additional
protection of the people.
• Ancient records show that more than 300,000
soldiers and 500,000 commoners worked to
build it. That's about the same as the
population of San Francisco!
1. http://www.airpano.ru/files/China-GreatWall/2-2
2. http://www.panoramas.dk/7-wonders/greatwall.html
The End of Qin Rule
• Shi Huangdi boasted that his dynasty
would rule China forever
• Both aristocrats and farmers revolted
against harsh Qin rule
The Han Dynasty
• pp. 186-191
Order of Chinese Dynasties =
1.
2.
3.
4.
_____
_____
_____
_____
Han Rulers
1) In 202 B.C. Liu Bang founded the Han
Dynasty
– Liu (Lyoo) Bang was a farmer turned soldier
– Started the Han Dynasty that lasted 400 years
2) Han Wudi – the first strong Han
emperor
• Ruled from 141 B.C.-87 B.C.
• Recruited people for civil
service
– People were chosen on the
basis of competitive tests
– Raised the quality of
government
– Favored the rich-only rich
could afford education
Education
• Han created schools
– Studied law, history, and ideas of Confucius
– Well respected because of education
The Empire Expands
• Population rose to 60 million
• Farmers sold land and became tenant
farmers
• Han Empire took new territory
– Conquered Korea, Southeast Asia, northern
India
• Then, Chinese had peace for 150 years
Han Culture
• Ideas of Confucius gained influence after
the fear of Shi Huangdi’s legalism faded
• Filial piety became strong
• Stability of government strengthen family
ties
Chinese Inventions
• Cast-iron plow
Waterwheels
• Millers invented waterwheels to grind grain
Wheelbarrow
• Wheelbarrow-used to carry heavy material
Silk Manufacturing with devices
Paper
• Paper used first for wrapping and then
writing
– Like the Egyptian papyrus, provided a way to
keep written records
Toilet Paper
• Also invented toilet paper
Sailing inventions
• Rudder and a new way to move the sails
of ships
– With these inventions, ships could sail against
the wind
Medical Advances
• Certain foods prevented disease
• Used herbs to treat illnesses
Acupuncture
• Acupuncture-relieved pain by piercing
patients’ skin at vital points with thin
needles
• Renews the body by increasing flow of
energy
On the Silk Road
• During the Han period, Chinese traders
grew rich by sending expensive goods
around the world
– Silk
– Jade
– Cast Iron goods
– Peaches & pears
+ All the inventions
From this lesson
New Contacts with the West
• China’s trade increased as a result of
exploration
– Zhang Qian (Jahng chyehn) explored areas
west of China
• Found horses
• Han Wudi wanted horses for soldiers
• In exchange for horses, Chinese traded silk
Trade expands
• Silk road was not one road. It was a
network of trade routes
• 4,000 miles long
• Stretched from China to Mediterranean
Sea
Goods Traded
• Horses, silk, spices, fruits, vegetables,
flowers, and grains, peaches, pears,
cotton, paper etc…
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfeeNq-Qyg
• 10 mins
“The Golden Age”
• The Han Dynasty = the Golden Age for
China
• Why is it called this?
• Any time a civilization experiences _____
Then, it will be called ____________.
Buddhism Reaches China
• Silk Road spread knowledge, culture, and
religions. == > Cultural Diffusion at its best
• Buddhism spread along Silk Road from India
to China
Why Did the Han Dynasty
Collapse?
• Weak and dishonest emperors
• Corrupt officials
• People began to rise up and rebel against
Han rulers
• Civil war divided China
• Remained divided for 400 years
Buddhism Wins Followers
• Civil War frightened many Chinese
• Many people turned to Buddhist ideas
• Followers of Confucius and Daoists
admired Buddhist ideas
• By A.D. 400s Buddhism became one of
China’s major religions
Review: You Construct a Quiz
1. Write 3 multiple choice questions involving what
your team thinks are the 3 most important facts
from today’s lesson.
2. Answer choices:
–
–
–
–
1 answer choice that is correct.
1 answer that is almost correct, but not the best answer.
1 answer that is on topic, but not correct.
1 answer that is off topic and totally wrong.
3. Write the answers on a separate sheet of paper.
– Explain each answer choice.
4. Give a title to your quiz
5. Write your period and team name in the top right hand
corner.
6. Wait quietly for further instructions.