Asia

Foundations

Classical Era

How does the advanced technological capabilities of the Han contribute to their classical success?

• exceptional inventors and innovators• advanced ironmaking technology in military and agriculture• The crossbow and cavalry• The watermill and horse collar• The production of silk • roads and canals to transport goods to market• Enormous defensive barriers, part of which became the

Great Wall, were constructed to protect the empire

Although short lived, what were the accomplishments of the Qin and why could they be considered as the

developmental era for the success of the Han?

• The Qin state took over the other states - united China. • standardization unified Chinese civilization

– standard weights and measures, coinage, uniform law code, common written language

• built roads and canals• The expansion of a chain of walls on the northern frontier protected

agricultural lands from nomadic attack.

How was were the Han able to succeed and build a great empire during the classical era while the Qin, although a significant cog in the

overall wheel, weren’t able to bring all of China together?

• The Qin were brutal and forced the legalist doctrine throughout the realm• The people were resistant to these methods because of the influence of both Daoism

and Confucianism• The Han focused on increasing agricultural production• The government required all males to donate one month every year to government

projects and to serve two years in the military

How was the social and cultural role of the family, including gender roles, connected to Confucian values?

• The basic Chinese social unit was the family, which included all previous generations.

• Han society was a larger reflection of familial values such as loyalty, obedience, respect, and honor.

• Chinese families subordinated the roles of women, who were controlled by their fathers, husbands, or sons.

• Confucian ethics deeply influenced the intellectual and governing classes.