Three Classical Chinese Dynasties

Three Early Chinese Dynasties

Zhou, Qin, Han

I. The Zhou Dynasty – 1028 B.C. – 256 B.C.

A. The Zhou conquered the last Shang king around 1028 B.C.

1. Zhou rulers claimed the Mandate of Heaven (heaven’s approval)

2. They established a feudal system (feudalism)

a. Kings gave land to nobles in exchange for loyalty

b. peasants worked land in exchange for protection

King

Nobles

Peasants

Merchants

Grants use of land to

nobles in exchange for

loyalty

Give loyalty and

armies to the king

Work the land for the

nobles in exchange for

shelter, protection, and

food

Lower status than peasants because

riches come from other’s work

Chinese feudal system developed under the Zhou dynasty

B. Zhou technological advances

1. Major advancement = use of iron

2. cast iron = stronger weapons & farming tools; increased production

3. invented crossbow

4. invented silk cloth – becomes major trade item

C. Zhou dynasty crumbles

1. Zhou lose power & enters Era of the Warring States

2. regional kings fighting each other for land and power

3. The Qin eventually win and unite China

Critical Intro:

Explain why you think the feudal government

of the Zhou Dynasty failed. In other words

what are some of the inherent weaknesses of a

centralized feudal government?

II. Two Chinese Philosophies Emerge

Confucianism

“The Analects”

Teachings of Confucius

“Respect yourself and

others will respect you.”

DaoismBalance/Harmony with Nature

Why do you think there was an effort to find a new governing style?

II. Two Chinese Philosophies EmergeA. Confucianism

1. Impact of Confucianism in forming the social order in

China

a. Belief that humans are good, not bad

b. Respect for elders – Filial Piety - http://www.stanford.edu/group/confucian/cgi-bin/blog/?p=149

c. Code of Politeness (still use in Chinese society today)

d. Emphasis on education

e. Ancestor worship

Respect link

II. Two Chinese Philosophies EmergeA. Confucianism

2. Five Primary Relationships

a. ruler and subject

b. father and son

c. elder brother and younger brother

d. husband and wife

e. friend and friend

Respect link

II. Two Chinese Philosophies EmergeA. Confucianism

3. the Analects

a. teachings of Confucius

b. Provide guidelines for Confucianism

Respect link

Confucianism

- Filial Piety – Respect/obey elders/family

- Every member of society has duty.

- Role model or follower or both

He who exercises government by means of his virtue

may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps

its place and all the stars turn towards it.

-Confucious

What Chinese

concept is Confucius

reinforcing?

Writing and

teachings of

Confucius =

Analects

II. Two Chinese Philosophies EmergeB. Taoism

1. Impact of Taoism in forming Chinese culture and

values

a. Humility – low view of one’s own importance

b. Simple life & inner peace

c. Harmony/balance with nature Lao Zi - founder

Yin and Yang represent

opposites for

Confucianism and Taoism.

Critical Intro:

Are you Yin or Yang?

Critical Intro:

Write two Confucian style

quotes, and 2 Daoist style

quotes.

III. The Qin Dynasty – 221 B.C. – 210 B.C.

A. Around 221 B.C., the Qin defeat rival kingdoms & unite much of China

1. strong centralized gov’t formed

2. military districts allowed emperor to maintain control

3. Qin Shihuangdi = 1st emperor of China

4. China gets its name from Qin

B. Qin Shihuangdi – his achievements

1. standardized weights and measures and coinage

2. created uniform writing system

3. constructed Great Wall of China

C. The Great Wall of China

1. Invaders raided Chinese settlements from the North.

2. Qin built the Great Wall to guard against these invasions

3. Wall extended over 4,000 miles

4. built with forced labor – many died during construction

Great Wall “ Not always so Great”?

D. Qin’s Shihuangdi’s Strict Rule

1. Imposed censorship (burned books) to control information

2. took power from local lords

3. many forced-labor projects

4. legalistic philosophy – strict laws + harsh punishments

D. The End of the Qin Dynasty

1. Qin Shihuangdi dies in 210 B.C.

2. He is buried with an army of terra cotta (clay) soldiers and horses

3. The dynasty weakens; loses control of country

4. 206 B.C. Han Dynasty comes to power

IV. The Han Dynasty – 206 B.C. – A.D. 220

A. Wudi – The greatest Han ruler

1. He greatly expanded the empire

2. He expanded trade routes to the west known

as the Silk Roads

a. Silk Roads = Series of trade routes

linking China and the Mediterranean

cultures & Roman Empire

3. He established the Civil Service System – system/tests

for selecting most able person for gov’t jobs.

4. The Han Dynasty rivaled the Roman Empire in:

a. Size

b. Population

c. government

Taking the Civil Service Exam

Silk Roads – Connect China to Mediterranean Sea and Roman Empire

Silk Roads

Silk Roads

Indian Ocean

trade routes

B. Fall of the Han Dynasty

1. After Wudi died the dynasty weakened.

2. The Huns eventually overthrew the Han Dynasty

C. Other contributions of Classical China

1. invented paper

2. porcelain

3. gun powder

4. wheelbarrow