Qin falls and Han begins
The King is Dead…Long live the King!
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QIN Dynasty (221–206 B.C.)
The Qin dynasty emerged in 221 B.C. from China’s bloody civil wars between 400 B.C. and 200 B.C.
Established by Qin Shihuangdi
Control
The Qin dynasty adopted Legalism. Political opponents of the regime (the
government in power) were imprisoned or executed.
Books that opposed the official views were burned.
Government
The Qin made the central government stronger.
The government was divided into three ministries: The Civil, the Military, and the censorate
(Inspector). Members of the censorate checked on
government officials to make sure they were doing their jobs.
Future Chinese dynasties adopted this practice and kept this structure.
External problems
The Xiongnu nomadic people who lived near the Gobi. mastered warfare from horseback and
attacked the Chinese living in the north. Protection = system of walls called the
Great Wall of China. The Great Wall we see today was built
1,500 years later.
Why did the Qin fall?
Failed to rule with humanity
many peasant rebellions, 3 assassination attempts, Shi Huangdi’s death, his son failed as a ruler lost the Mandate of
Heaven
Han Dynasty 206 B.C.E.-220 C.E. (c. 400 years)
Overview continued the Q’in organization strong but humane government, great wealth Confucian education for upper class men important inventions and excellent long
distance trade.
Han Politics
Liu Bang - 1st Han
Emperor
Chang’an is capital
Wu Di – another
important emperor
Chang’an
•Largest city in the world
•Carefully planned
•Great trade center on Silk Road
•Wealthy and beautiful
Key events/changes
Replaced Legalism with Confucianism
Confucianism teaches that Emperor is
o Responsible for keeping harmony
o Must model goodness and virtue
Often attacked by central Asian nomads
Confucian Civil Service Examination
Han government officials chosen by scores on
a Confucian poetry and moral code test
Han started schools to train candidates
Curriculum is Confucius’s teachings, Chinese
history, and Chinese law.
Han Economy Agriculture and peasant
lives
Innovations improved
output
Chinese traders were able to
sail into the Indian Ocean,
SILK Road across Asia to
Middle East connects China
to Europe
3000 B.C. Silk first produced in China
1500 B.C. Semi-nomadic stockbreeding tribes inhabit steppes
753 B.C. Rome founded
500 B.C. Chinese adopt nomadic style, wear trousers and ride horses
551 - 479 B.C. Confucius born in China
350 B.C. Greek culture spreads into Central Asia (Persia conquered by Alexander the Great)
300 B.C. Roman expansion begins around Mediterranean region
Shi Huangdi’s Qin dynasty unites entire China for the first time
Qin Dynasty begins Great Wall
Han dynasty overthrows the Qin and develops its vast empire
Buddhism begins to spread north out of India and into China
Paper first made in China
200 B.C. The Xiongnu (Huns) rise to power in Central Asia and invade Chinese western border regions
Emperor WuDi orders Zhang Qian to travel the Western Regions and open the trade route (Silk Road) to the west
100 B.C. Rome becomes an empire
1 A.D. Silk first seen in Rome
Buddhism begins to spread from India into Central Asia
Christianity begins to spread in the world
100 A.D. Roman empire at its largest
The first Roman envoy arrives in China
Buddhism reaches China
200 A.D. Han dynasty falls and the China breaks up
300 A.D. The secret skill of sericulture (silk production) begins to spread west along the Silk Road
Xiongnu (Huns) invades China and China further dissolved into fragments
500 A.D. Silkworm breeding appears in Europe
A Timeline History of Silk production from its origins in China to its arrival in Europe.
18.
Religion/Philosophy
Confucianism is VERY influential in govt and social life
People follow Confucian morals in all aspects of life
Buddhism came to China via the Silk Road
Han Society Population tripled to 50
million
WHY?
IMPACT?
Increased govt.
responsibility
Diagnosed diseases.herbal remedies used anesthetics.Acupuncture
Wrote texts on chemistry, zoology, and botany.Astronomy popularInvented seismograph
SCIENCE MEDICINE
TECHNOLOGY
Paper invented (pic to right)Invented the rudder, fore/aft sails to sail into the windfishing reels, wheelbarrows, and suspension bridges.
Han Innovations
Fore Aft Sails, Fishing reel, Water wheel, rudder
Han Great Wall
Extended the Q’in wall 1500 miles
Many more towers and soldiers to guard China
Han Art
Wealth provides time
Time allows the
development of art and
architecture
Focus is on beautifying
environment
Maybe showing off?
Han Warfare (FYI)
“The bandits were numerous, and Yang's forces very weak, so his men were filled with alarm and despondency.
But he organized several dozen horse-drawn vehicles carrying bellows to blow powdered lime strongly forth, he caused rags of fire to be tied to the tails of a number of horses, and he prepared other vehicles full of bowmen and crossbowmen.
The lime chariots went forward first, and as the bellows were plied the smoke was blown forwards according to the wind, then the rags were kindled and the frightened horses rushed forwards throwing the enemy lines into confusion…….
after which the bowmen and crossbowmen opened fire,
the drums and gongs were sounded,
and the terrified enemy was utterly destroyed and dispersed.
Han Fall
Han rulers love for wealth and pleasure
weakened the government
The Han dynasty fell in A.D. 220.
China descends into chaos
Warlord states rule for 350 years
China’s Time of Troubles
220-589 China is not unified under a single
Emperor
Return of regional rule and many small regional
wars
Consider impact…
The Qin and Han dynasties were BOTH known for their cultural achievements.
BUT Shihuangdi only educated officials, while the Han educated all on Confucianist ideology
Key Confucian works were printed in a set. Generations of Chinese schoolchildren
learned the norms of proper behavior from these texts.
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