Download Han Dynasty

Zhou, Qin and Han
Dynasties
Zhou Dynasty
1028 BCE - 221 BCE
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Beat the Shang Dynasty
claiming the Zhou had
heaven’s approval to rule
China; the “Mandate of
Heaven”
Nobles owned large pieces of
land and peasants worked the
land
Relatives of the royal family
were appointed governor’s of
city-states
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Each of these lords raised
his own army
This works at first, but
eventually the begin to fight
among themselves
Achievements of the Zhou
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Technological Advances:
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Built roads and expanded
trade
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Formed a cavalry, made
the cross bow
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Chinese writing
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Iron plows, irrigation,
flood control
Laozi and Confucianism
Qin Dynasty
221 BCE – 207 BCE
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The name China comes from this Dynasty
Ruler was Qin Shi Huangdi “first emperor”
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Linked existing fortification into the Great
Wall
Unified China by
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Politically: Strong Central government,
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limiting power of nobles, uniform code of laws
Physically: Building roads and canals
Culturally: Simplifying and standardizing
writing
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also burned books so Chinese would forget
about past diversity
Do you like my Hat?
Han Achievements
206 BCE – 220 CE
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Emperor Wu Ti: spread
China west, stopped Hun
invasions
Civil Service System:
Promoted Confucianism
(government officials had to
take tests on Confucian
literature for jobs)
Pax Sinica Height of Power,
prosperity, and culture
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Invented sundial, paper,
accurate calendar
Silk Road
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Allowed Buddhism to
be introduced from
India
Established trade
routes for silk and
spices Silk Road
 China
to Mediterranean
 Buddhism & culture
spread
 Spread of disease
Fall of Han
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Collapse of Han
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Military expenditures
Confiscate land & raised
taxes
Widespread revolt
No clear ruler/ in fighting
Fall of Han dynasty led to
400 years of war
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Buddhism widely accepted
after this because it
promised eternal peace
Family
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Most important part of
society
Hierarchy –
organized onto levels,
oldest male leader
Extended families:
many relatives in one
house
Women were beneath
men and under their
authority
Filial Piety extremely
important; honoring
parents
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Society
Three Classes
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Landowners – wealthy
lifestyle supported by the
work of the peasants
Peasants (90%)
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Turned over part of what
they grew as rent to the
landowners
Required to pay taxes
Required to work on
Government projects one
month a year
Merchants –shopkeepers,
traders, bankers
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Bottom of society because
Confucianism said that
working for profit was
unworthy
Dailies:
 What are the three main religions
(philosophies) of China?
 Why were merchants considered the
lowest class in China?
 Describe filial piety. What belief system
is it associated with?
 Who built the Great Wall of China?
 What dynasty did Confucius and Laozi
live during?