Classical China: Qin/Han Dynasties

Chinese Dynasties Shang Zhou Warring States Qin Han Sui Tang Song Yuan Ming Qing Republic Mao Zedong Smelly zebras will quit having smoothies. Then sometimes you might quiet racist mice.

The Origins of Imperial China (Overview) Qin create China’s first empire by unifying China Barely survived after the death of their ruler, Shi Huangdi Power then moved to the Han Dynasty China remains unified for many centuries

Resources and Population Most people lived in Eastern China, by fertile rivers and the Pacific Ocean China is isolated due to mountains and deserts but trade routes finally spring up with Persia Silk Road: Caravan routes connecting China to the Middle East Agricultural production was the primary source of wealth and taxes Qin and Han: Every male was required to donate one month of labor a year to a public works project (palaces, temples, military buildings, roads, etc.) Also two years military service

Hierarchy, Obedience, and Belief Ancestor veneration Important to have sons to carry on family Women were not to participate in public life Women in lower classes may have had more privileges

Women in Classical China “A woman’s duties are to cook the five grains, heat the wine, look after her parents-in-law, make clothes, and that is all! …She has no ambition to manage affairs outside the house… She must follow the “three submissions”. When she is young she must submit to her parents. After her marriage, she must submit to her husband. When she is widowed, she must submit to her son.”

Qin - The First Chinese Empire Following a period of “warring states” Qin becomes first empire, gives us word “China” Qin is pronounced “Chin” Shi Huangdi, name means first emperor Totalitarian government Used Legalism Cracked down on Confucianism, which demanded kindness and nonviolence from its leaders Unified Chinese culture following period of warring states Weights, measures, coinage, law code, writing, the length of carts Built many roads (like Romans) Beginnings of the GREAT Wall of China

The Long Reign of the Han Put an emphasis on Confucianism Emperor Wu expands empire Natural disasters or successful revolutions mean the leader has lost the Mandate of Heaven Widow of emperor would choose his successor from their family Like Romans, local government officials did most of the work Government universities trained young men for high positions (gentry) in the ways of Confucianism Daoism becomes popular with the common people

Decline of the Han Empire Technology and Trade Qin developed iron tools Crossbow, watermill, horse collar Silk: most important export Decline of the Han Empire Nomadic tribes seen as barbarians often invaded Xiongnu: A collection of nomadic peoples Cost of wars took a toll on their economy