Download CHINA and ROME - DuBois Area School District / Overview

CHINA and ROME
200 BCE – 200 CE
Historical Context
• Between 200 BCE and 200 CE, both China and
Rome conquered expansive territories that
made them the 2 leading empires of the world.
• China was unified by the Qin (Ch’in) Dyansty
and the following Han Dyanasty expanded the
boundaries to almost present day China.
• Rome expanded through most of modern day
Europe and region surrounding the
Mediterranean Sea including N. Africa and
Egypt.
• In 400 years, each of these empires controlled
about 2 million square miles and 60 million
people.
CHINA
• Qin Dynasty led to Han Dyanasty.
• Han successors were more moderate, but used
structures of Qin to create a larger and more
durable empire.
• Confucianism resurfaces and greatly influences
Han period: hierarchy, obedience and family
structure important.
• Technology and Trade flourished (ex: Silk Road)
• Decline of Empire: Political
Fragmentation/Political & Cultural Regression
ROME
• Didn’t have a precedent to draw upon (like Han
had Qin)
• Slow process: Trial and Error to develop
• Republican form of gov’t developed to meet
needs of Roman city-states, but proved
inadequate to meet needs of huge empire.
• Roman Principate (military dictators) developed
next.
• Trade and Technology vital to Empire
(aqueducts/roads/inner-empire trade)
• Rise of Christianity as Rome conquered Eastern
lands. Monotheism became more accepted.
Similarity Comparison/Conclusions
• Both rose from relatively small state, to a large
system of connected cities/towns.
• Discipline and military toughness key to their
rises.
• Technologies helped imperial control and
fostered unification between cultures.
• Led to widespread territories under strong
central governments.
• In the end, both succumbed to EXTERNAL
pressures and INTERNAL divisions.
Differences Comparison and
Conclusions
• Ideology: China had Confucianism and
embedded emphasis on hierarchy
(family)…while Rome did not.
• Individual mobility in society was more of an
opportunity in Rome. (ex: rights of individual)
• Roman rulers usually chosen by army or
Senate…not dynastic cycle (Mandate of
Heaven).
• Christianity prompted a “break with the past”,
while as Buddhism flourished, it was more
consistent with traditional values and beliefs.
2002 AP World Exam Question
Which of the following is true of both the
Roman Empire and the Han Empire?
a. Both empires were heavily dependent on slave
labor.
b. Both empires were characterized by long
periods of effective centralized governance.
c. In both empires, administrative officials were
selected by an elaborate system of competitive
examinations.
d. Both empires were ruled by wealthy merchant
elites.