Download The Dynastic Cycle

Name:______________________
Date:_________
The Dynastic Cycle
The Dynastic Cycle is a term used by historians to describe the rise, fall, and
replacement of dynasties, or empires, in China. These cycles were repeated many times
from the time of the Zhou Dynasty until the early 1900s—in other words for nearly
3000 years!
Directions: Put these events in the correct order of the Dynastic Cycle for the
Goodstone Dynasty
Events:
______________ A handful of Mrs. Goodstone’s students rebel against tyrannical
rule! LHS floods! The power goes out! Freak earthquakes occur! Clearly the
ancestral spirits of LHS are unhappy with Mrs. Goodstone.
______________ A new history teacher takes over World History I for Mrs.
Goodstone. Ms. George and the students breathe a sigh of relief.
_______________ Mrs. Goodstone establishes a classroom of harmony, fairness,
and equity. Students get along with each other and produce amazing
analytical essays. Mrs. Goodstone clearly has the approval of the ancestral
spirits of LHS!
______________ Mrs. Goodstone’s grading policies take a turn for the worse.
She accepts bribes from students for A’s, gives poor grades to well-argued
essays, and begins to lose the respect of both students and colleagues like Ms.
George.
______________ The new history teacher grades students fairly, is loved and
respected by students. The ancestral spirits of LHS smile down upon the new
teacher.
_____________ More students join the rebellion. Ms. George backs up the
students’ claims against Mrs. Goodstone and introduces the students to a
new teacher.
Name:______________________
Date:_________
DIY
Create your own Dynastic Cycle
With your partner create your own dynasty. Your dynasty must fit into the cycle,
but it can rule over anything! Get creative! Be sure to include the following details:
 Dynasty’s name and setting (where do you rule and when?)
 Characteristics of the Golden Age; include ways peace and prosperity are
established
 Ways the dynasty becomes corrupt, how it loses the respect of its people
 Natural disaster that indicates the dynasty has lost its mandate to rule
 Details about rebellion; who rebels; how do they overthrow the dynasty
 Name of the new dynasty and how do they re-establish peace and prosperity
Plot your dynasty on the diagram. Include details!
Dynastic Cycle
Of
Answer these in your notebook:
1. What role does the Mandate of Heaven play in the dynastic cycle?
2. What is the relationship between the Mandate of Heaven and personal or
governmental responsibility?
Name:______________________
Date:_________
3. How does the dynastic cycle help China to change BUT remain united?