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Ch'in and Han Dynasty China
I.
Ch'in Dynasty - Creation of Empire
A. Ch'in - Winner of the Warring States
1. Western-most group
2. Horsemen -- cavalry
B. Empire
1. Chin Shi Huang-ti (259-211 BC) "First
Emperor" (ALSO LAST)
a. unifies China
b. strong centralized rule - great tyrant
c. Legalism: "a fishing net through which the
smallest fish cannot slip out"
2.
End of feudalism
a.
aristocratic families force to live at capital
b.
Civilians surrender all weapons
3.
Policies of unification
a.
Weights and measures standardized
b.
Money standardized
c.
Axles standardized
d.
Writing standardized
e.
Great Wall - 1400 miles long "Every stone cost a
human life"
f.
Ideological unity - Burning of the Books
g.
Scholars (families) beheaded - 213 BC
4.
Collapse of dynasty
a.
Feared assassination, built numerous palaces
(copies of those of defeated lords)
b.
Poisoned self over time
c.
Giant, fantastic tomb: 1/2 million laborers, Terra
Cotta Figures (Est. 7000)
d.
Dynasty self destructed (by 207 BC) entirely after
his death
5.
Lasting impact - unified society
II.
Han China
A. Han Dynasty - 206BC-221AD
1. Used unification by Ch'in Dynasty
2. One of greatest dynasties in history.
B. Liu Pang (195 BC) - Peasant warrior (founder)
C. Emperor Wu-ti (140-87 BC) – greatest emperor
1. Expanded China
2. Trade Routes -South Asia, Silk Road
D.
Awesome inventions and potential World Power:
1. Iron Tools, Blast Furnace, Casting (6th century
BC)
2. Paper (200 BC)
3. Compass (200 AD)
4. Rudder Ships
5. Gun Powder (3rd Century AD): Cannons
6. Wheelbarrow
7. Stirrups
8. Seismograph
E.
Expansion of ideas
1.
Rice - more food - more Chinese
2.
Buddhism introduced into China by trade routes
3.
Wealth from trade
4.
Flourishing in the arts
5.
Confucianism - official philosophy of government
(duty)
a)
Civil service exam to get jobs
b)
Academies established for training
G. Decline of Han
1.
Corruption led to increasing taxes, led to rebellion
2.
Broke into three fighting kingdoms