Zhou Dynasty 1027 – 256 BC

- They created the Mandate of Heaven that

justified royal authority and establishes the

dynastic cycles

Chinese Emperor

Ruled through the

Mandate of

Heaven

Called the

Son of Heaven

Not divine but

Heaven’s

representative

Must rule

according to the

“Dao”

The name China came from the Qins

Ying Zheng took control of China during the

period of warring states

He took the name Qin Shi Huangdi meaning

“first emperor”

He unified China & under his rule it becomes

the epitome of effective centralized government

• He introduced Legalism as a form of government

- People are inherently bad

- therefore it’s necessary to regulate & control every minute of their

lives

- laws should reward those who obey and punish those who don’t

- he provided a single law code for everyone- so nobility lost power

• He began construction of the Great Wall to protect them from

invaders from Mongolia

• taxes were too great

•He ordered musical instruments

and art forms to be burned. They

were unnecessary because it

taught people to have their own

thoughts.

• he burned books that weren’t

approved by him and more than

400 scholars were executed

After the fall of the Qin dynasty the peasants rebelled

Government

•Lowered taxes

•Softened punishments

•Chose Confucius scholars as advisers

Economy

•Began the Silk Road

Emperor Wudi takes China to new heights

• govt officials should win position on

merit not family status

• Confucianism becomes state belief

and will influence China for

the next 2000 years

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