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THREE GREAT DYNASTIES A Look at the Chinese Dynasties of the Zhou, Qin, and Hahn The Fall of the Shang • Ruled from 1500 B.C. to 1028 B.C. • The Zhou conquered the Shang in 1028 B.C. and claimed the Mandate of Heaven • The Zhou stated that the Shang had fallen out of favor with the Gods because they had ruled poorly Map of Zhou Dynasty • Territory controlled by the Zhou Dynasty. The Zhou Dynasty • Had a large territory to control • Set up an agricultural system in which nobles owned the land and peasants worked it. • Appointed relatives to govern, gave each a city-state • Each lord had authority over his lands and built his own army Zhou (continued) • At first all lords pledged allegiance to the Son of Heaven (King), but in time would grow strong enough to challenge him • 771 B.C. the Zhou suffer a large military defeat, now political power fell into the hands of these local lords • Nobles now fought small wars struggling to gain power over all the land, this fighting would prove to be the end for the Zhou era Zhou Technological Advances • • • • Invented iron plows Built roads • Irrigation systems Expanded foreign were developed trade • Flood control Obtained horses and formed a cavalry systems like canals & dikes were set up Invented the crossbow • • Elaborated picture writing Qin Dynasty • 221 B.C.: The Qin unite a majority of China for the first time in over 500 years First Emperor of China • Qin Shihuangdi was the first Emperor of China • Reorganized the empire into Military Districts, each with its own appointed official governing it • Prevented local lords from becoming strong enough to overthrow the central government Qin (continued) • Shihuangdi devised a system of weights and measures • Standardized coins • Instituted Cuneiform Writing • Set up a law code • Used forced labor to build roads and canals • Built the Great Wall of China to build up China’s defense in the North Qin’s Strict Rule • Ended the power of local lords by taking away land from some and imposing taxes on others • Appointed educated men to run his government rather than nobles • Imposed censorship • Burned books except for those dealing with practical subjects • Executed 460 scholars • Qin passed away in 210 B.C., thereby ending his dynasty Qin Artifacts • Qin handmade vases and pottery. Qin Artifacts (continued) • Early Qin coins, these were used to purchase items. Qin Artifacts (continued) • Terra Cotta Soldier figure. Han Dynasty • 207 B.C.: Liu Bang overthrows the Qin Dynasty and declares himself Emperor • Han Dynasty reached its peak under Han Wudi who ruled from 141 B.C. to 87 B.C. • Han Wudi extended his empire through conquest and exploration Extent of the Han Empire • The Hans expanded the former territory of the Qin Dynasty. The Hans Discover the West • Wudi sent an expedition led by Zhang Qian to the West • 13 years later Qian returned after 10 years of captivity telling of a great empire to the west with huge cities filled with people “who cut their hair short, wear embroidered garments, and ride in small chariots”, meaning the Romans • Wudi became interested in the west and he expanded trade routes which would become known as the Silk Road The Silk Road • This is the trade route that merchants from China took to get to and from Europe. Pax Sinica • China had a 400 year period of peace and prosperity known as Pax Sinica • During this time Wudi adopted an economic policy designed to prevent food shortages and high prices, could now feed their growing population • Wudi had public officials take written exams, those with the highest scores were selected • Initiated Civil Service: anyone with ability could obtain public office (evident by the exams)