Download The Han Dynasty

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China Unit
History
Notes
Section 2.1 Early Dynasties (pages 538-539)
 Powerful families ruled and shaped ancient China for about 2,000 years
 In 2100 BC, farming settlements developed along the Huang He (Yellow
River) and these settlements grew into cities!
 China has the world’s longest continuous civilization!
Shang and Zhou Dynasties
Shang Dynasty:
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1766 BC: Kings from the Shang family took over cities along the Huang He
Shang established a dynasty
Shang society was based on agricultural
Leaders built walled cities
Shang used horse drawn chariots
Developed a system of writing
dynasty: a series of rulers from the same family
Zhou Dynasty:
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Fought with the Shang and defeated the Shang in 1050 BC
Longest rule in Chinese history
Zhou rulers waged war against invaders and fought among themselves
Disorder in China during this rule
dynastic cycle: the pattern in the rise and fall of dynasties
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The Qin Dynasty
 The Qin Dynasty gained control in 221 BC
 The name “China” comes from this dynasty
 Shi Huangdi: China’s first emperor
o strengthen the central government and acquired more land
o formed an empire
o built a system of roads
o developed currency
o constructed the Great Wall of China to protect invaders from the
north
o died in 210 BC
o clay warriors were put in his tomb to guard him
empire: a group of people or states ruled by a strong single ruler
terra cotta: baked clay
The Han Dynasty
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ruled from 206 BC- AD 220
leaders expanded empire
established strong central government
began trade with Europe and Central Asia known as The Silk Road
Section 2.2 Confucianism (pages 542-543)
 The teachings of Confucius have influenced Chinese society for more than
2,000 years
Confucius:
 Chinese leader & teacher
 Wanted to bring peace to country
 Developed ideas about rules of right behavior
ethical system: a belief system that teaches moral behavior
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moral: right and good, describing human behavior
Teachings
Teachings are based on five relationships:
o Father and son
o Elder brother and younger brother
o Husband and wife
o Friend and friend
o Ruler and subject
If there is respect in these relationships, peace would be restored to society!
Legacy
Confucius died believing he was a failure!
Confucius’ students wrote down his teachings in a book called the Analects
 Han Dynasty rulers used his teachings to choose government leaders
 Confucianism continued to influence Chinese society until 1949 when the
Communist Party seized power and outlawed Confucianism
 The ban on Confucianism was lifted in 1977
 Confucianism is now taught in schools and leaders use the ideas of
Confucianism
banned: to outlaw or forbid
Section 2.3 Silk Roads and Trade (page 544-545)
 Goods were traded and ideas spread on the Silk Roads, which connected
China with much of the world
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Silk Road
 Trade routes
 Began in the Han Dynasty
 Connected China with Europe, India, Central Asia, and North Africa
 Silk was traded because it was only made in China
Trade Routes
 Began in Chang-an, capital of ancient China
 Included land and sea routes
 Most of the traders traveled in groups or caravans with camels that could
adapt to the environment
caravans: a group of merchants traveling together for safety
martime: related to the sea
Goods and Ideas
 Covered 4,000 miles
 Market town and cities developed along routes
 Variety of foods were bartered
o Indian traders-sold gems and wood
o European traders-glass, pearls, wool
o Chinese traders-silk
 Government officials and missionaries helped to spread ideas along routes
o The religion of Buddhism spread
bartered: to trade or exchange goods without using money
Section 2.4 Exploration and Isolation (page 546-547)
 Zheng He made seven voyages of exploration that were intended to
impress foreigners with China’s wealth and power
 China was very powerful during the Ming Dynasty
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Ming emperor, Yongle, wanted to show China’s wealth to the world!
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o Took control of sea trade
o Wanted other countries to pay him money or tribute
tribute: fees paid to another ruler or country for protection or as a token of
submission
Zheng He
 Yongle ordered Admiral Zheng He to lead seven voyages between 14051433
 Admiral Zheng He commanded thousands of sailors and ships
 After his last voyage, China withdrew into isolation until the 1800s
 European countries began controlling China’s economy
expedition: a journey or voyage of some length, usually to other lands
Section 2.5 Communist Revolution (page 548-549)
 The Chinese Communist Party under Mao Zedong significantly changed life
in the People’s Republic of China
 China was controlled by European powers in the 1800s
 The Chinese National Party wanted to end this foreign control and
modernize China
 1912- Chinese National Party overthrew ruling government and established
the Republic of China
 Chinese people began turning to the Communist Party
o Communist Party started in Shanghai in 1921
 Nationalist and Communist fought for power!
o By 1930, there was a civil war in China!
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Civil War
Jiang Jieshi
o Nationalist leader who attacked the Communist party in 1933
Mao Zedong
 Communist leader who led over 100,000 Communist in marches
 Marches known as the Long March
 Many Communist died in marches
1937: Japanese invaded China and occupied country
occupy: to take over
 Nationalist and Communist came together to fight the Japanese throughout
WWII
 After WWII, Nationalist and Communist began fighting again
 Communist won and established the People’s Republic of China on October
1, 1949
 Nationalist fled to Taiwan
Chairman Mao
Mao became leader of China
o established a totalitarian dictatorship
o took over farms, business, and industries
o forced people to work on collective farms
collective farms: a large farm where workers grew food to be distributed to the
entire population
By 1957, industrial output had increased!
Mao began a plan, the Great Leap Forward to improve China’s economy
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o Plan failed!
o 20 million people died of hunger!
o Plan ended in 1961
In 1966, Mao began a new plan called the Cultural Revolution to remove anticommunist elements from China
o Red guards attacked the elite or superior
o Thousands of people killed
elite: superior
Mao died in 1976
o Country remains Communist
o Reforms in the 1980s have caused economic growth and improved living
conditions
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