Originally named Zhao Zheng Gave himself name “Shi Huangdi” “First Emperor” China divided into 7 warring nations Ruled Qin people Conquered and united China by 221BC Started Qin Dynasty Name “China” comes from the Qin

Shi Huangdi believed in strong/harsh rule Great Wall of China Connected walls built by previous rulers Built with labor from farmers and merchants 10 years to build Wall fell into disrepair after he died Later emperors rebuilt and added on to it Now it is 4500 miles Built roads Armies could quickly get around to put down rebellions Killed local leaders who opposed him Divided China into districts, ruled by trustworthy leaders

Made things the same throughout China One currency (type of money) Made trade easier within China Common weights and measurements Law code Outlawed Confucianism Made people learn philosophies of Qin scholars Legalism promoted People punished for bad behavior, rewarded for good People should work to serve the emperor and government All books burned Except those about medicine, technology, and farming Scholars who objected were killed

Shi Huangdi died in 210BC Civil war after his death Rebellions against his son and grandson Qin dynasty supposed to last 10,000 generations Lasted 15 years

Liu Bang helped overthrow Qin Dynasty Became emperor of China Had been born a peasant Started Han dynasty Stable, but less harsh, government Set up the Civil Service based upon Confucianism Dynasty lasted 400 years

Great-grandson of Liu Bang Ruled from age In charge of Han Dynasty at its greatest time Primarily interested in war and military Wudi = “Warrior Emperor” Strengthened Great Wall and army Expanded China Died in 87BC

Han Dynasty carried on strong for a series of emperors Series of very young emperors led to power struggles over throne No one took care of dynasty and its cities during this time

Warlords gained power as the emperors’ decreased Cao Pei Warlord Kept emperor in power Tried to rule empire through the emperor Declared his own dynasty in 220AD Wei Dynasty Only controled parts of northern China Lasted 50 years China broke into smaller kingdoms then

Wudi’s conquests led China to interact with other cultures Trade China received grapes, walnuts, garlic, glass, horses, ivory, linens, wool Buddhism entered China during this time Other countries received silk and Chinese ideas Chinese silk work a guarded secret (under penalty of death) Silk Road: Ancient trade route from China to Antioch 4,000 miles

Han Dynasty believed losing respect for past and traditions led to troubles People studied teachings of Confucius First dictionary of Chinese language Poetry which reflected Chinese culture Chinese had little knowledge of their own history Sima Qian Wrote Historical Records

Arts: Silk weaving, bronze work, architecture, poetry, jade carving Medicine: Acupuncture, herbal remedies, discovered circulatory system Technology Paper, iron plow, rudder, seismoscope, compass, wheelbarrow Most of these accomplishments came during Han Dynasty Chinese today still call themselves “the children of Han”