1. Dynasties of China

2. Bell Ringer 2/27 Write on clean sheet of paper
We often glorify the positive exchanges along the Silk Road, but can you think of a possible negative impact of global trade on society in both the ancient or modern world?

3. SHANG DYNASTY

4. WHEN WAS IT?
BCE

5. How did the Shang Dynasty Begin?
Defeated Xia overlords
Implemented an infantry
Used both bronze and stone weapons

6. Inventions, Achievements & Discoveries
Bronze weapons, tools, ships
Intricate writing system
Correctly determined a year was 365 ¼ days
Complex irrigation allowed civilization to begin
Oracle bones

7. Bronze Ax Head

8. The Fall of the Shang Dynasty
Very oppressive government
With little support, the Zhou dynasty easily took power.

9. ZHOU DYNASTY

10. WHEN WAS IT?
1046 BCE – 256 BCE

11. How did the Zhou Dynasty Begin?
Shang Dynasty was crumbling
Zhou easily were able to defeat them
Zhou kings were military leaders that often lead their men into battle

12. Inventions, Achievements and Discoveries
Iron Age enters China around 600 BCE
Compass
Kite
First Geographical Maps
Fertilizer
Herbal Pesticides

13. Mandate of Heaven

14. Chinese Philosophies
Confucianism
Daoism
Legalism

15. Fall of Zhou Dynasty Strong Legalist Government of the Qin state
Qin state became more powerful than the Zhou
Crossbows and iron arrows were too advanced to defend

16. THE QIN DYNASTY

17. WHEN WAS IT?
221 BCE – 207 BCE

18. The Rise of the Qin Dynasty
Followed Hanfeizi’s Legalist teachings
Very harsh punishments and did not make exceptions for any one
While cruel, Emperor Qin brought stability to an area that had turned dysfunctional under Zhou rule

19. Emperor Qin (A.K.A. Big Sexy)

20. Inventions, Achievements, and Discoveries
Iron swords, daggers, armors, helmets, and arrows
Chinese writing and currency for all the people
Extensive system of roads and canals

21. Oh yeah and the Great Wall

22. Great Wall of China
Section built during this time is NOT the wall we associate with it today
Built to provide protection from invading Mongols to the North
Took nine years and over a million workers

23. Fall of the Qin Dynasty When Qin died so did the Empire
Even though he united China, people hated the guy
Mercury tablets prescribed to allow him to become immortal had a much different effect…DEATH!
They also made him insane
Upon his death China was thrown into chaos

24. THE HAN DYNASTY

25. WHEN WAS IT?
206 BCE – 220 CE

26. Rise of the Han Dynasty
China was up for grabs after the death of the Emperor Qin
Two leaders within the Han (Liu Bang and Xiang Yu) fought to seize control
Liu Bang (also referred to as Emperor Gauzo) came out on top at the Battle of Gaixia.

27. Inventions, Achievements, and Discoveries
Experimented with steel
More advanced crossbows
One of the first forms of paper made from bark, hemp, and wheat stalks
Acupuncture
An early seismograph
Hot air balloon
Wheelbarrow

28. Confucianism based Government
Before important positions were simply handed down to family
If the person stunk at their job the government stunk
Following Confucianism, only people who were highly qualified received the positions.

29. Early “Hot Air” Balloon

30. First Seismograph

31. Oh yeah this is when the Silk Road occurred!

32. Fall of the Han Dynasty
Wealthy landowners skipped on paying taxes which led to the lower classes being burdened with high taxes
The people would revolt!
The empire would be broken into 3 sections
“Three Kingdom” Age begins (60 years)
Bloodiest era in Chinese history