Dynasties of Ancient China World History

Geography Geographically isolated to some extent. Huang He (Yellow River) and Chiang jiang (Yangtze) rivers flood quite often.

Xia Dynasty (Approx. 4000 yrs ago) Ruler: Yu Irrigation and drained floodwaters Beginning of Chinese civilization No written records – existence is by legend

Shang Dynasty (1750-1122B.C.) Ruler: Wu Ding Developments: impressive cities & mastery with the art of bronze casting Farming society ruled by a king and an aristocracy Capital was Anyang Warlords governed territories Veneration of ancestors developed

Zhou Dynasty (1122-256 B.C.) (era of warring states) Developments: longest lived dynasty (800+ years); claimed the Mandate of Heaven Emperors called themselves “Sons of Heaven” Linguistic unity – Mandarin was standardized Daoism & Confucianism - related to politics Trade expanded to distant regions Set up an agricultural system (nobles & peasants) A.K.A. feudalism

Zhou Dynasty (1122-256 B.C.) (era of warring states) Expanded Chinese territory to Yangtze River Valley (wheat & rice growing areas added) Increased food production and use of iron Concept of the family grows in importance Chopsticks Use cavalry & crossbow Took steps to centralize government, but local leaders ignored central government

Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.) Ruler: Qin Shi Huangdi (1st Emperor) – brutal ruler Qin name applied to country’s name Unified the Chinese world Legalism – favored government force; viewed human nature as evil A highly centralized government Standardized coinage, weights, and measures Irrigation

Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.) Uniform writing system, & a law code Tomb at Xian (Chang’an) built Manufacture of silk cloth is encouraged Nucleus of the Great Wall is constructed Burned books and attacked culture National census, tax, and labor service Downfall: high taxes, attacks on intellectuals, killed men, brutal punishments, & revolts after Qin’s death

Han Dynasty (202 B.C. – 221 A.D.) Rulers: Han Gaozu & Wudi/Wu Ti Kept centralized power, but reduced repression Developments: textiles & sailing technology Rapid population growth (20–60 million) Government bureaucracy grew Empire expanded into Central Asia, Korea, and Indo-China (Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam) Silk Road expanded – trade to India, Mediterranean, and Middle East (luxury goods) Abandoned Legalism

Han Dynasty (202 B.C. – 221 A.D.) Strengthening of patriarchal society – father had unquestioned power Led to Pax Sinica (period of peace) Iron production increased Government sponsored canals and irrigation systems Stratification: (top) elite class, peasants and laborers, and (bottom) unskilled labor Paper & wheelbarrows invented Water powered mills, ox-drawn plows w/a non-choking collar Downfall: invasions by Huns; expansion led to weak administration and overspending

Civil Service Corruption in govt. led to its establishment Open to all applicants – rich and poor Candidates for govt. positions took long, difficult written exams Those with the highest scores were appointed 130,000 bureaucrats in the Chinese government Actually favored the wealthy (Why?) Jinshi Three levels of exams