The Zhou and the Qin Dynasties In this lesson, students will be able to identify characteristics of the Zhou and Qin dynasties. Students will be able to identify and/or define the following terms: The Mandate of Heaven Confucianism Daoism A Strong Central Government V.Oliver

V.Oliver The first known dynasty of China was the Shang dynasty. This dynasty united the people living around the Huang He and Yangtze river valleys.

The Zhou Dynasty V.Oliver Around 1027 B.C., the Zhou conquered the Shang. The Zhou dynasty lasted longer than any other Chinese dynasty. Zhou rulers claimed the right to rule or the Mandate of Heaven.

Mandate of Heaven The Mandate of Heaven was the Chinese belief that the gods picked the emperor to rule but the gods could also remove a bad emperor from power. The ruler kept the Mandate of Heaven for as long as he ruled effectively. V.Oliver

Zhou rulers claimed the Mandate of Heaven or the right to rule. However, the gods could remove the ruler’s V.Oliver

Philosophers during Zhou China During the Zhou dynasty, two important Chinese philosophies developed. Confucianism and Daoism were two significant philosophies developed during the Zhou dynasty. Both philosophies stressed the importance of harmony as Zhou China experienced increased warfare. V.Oliver

Confucius was an important Chinese philosopher. He stressed the importance of order to achieve harmony. Confucius believed that if people knew and did what they should do, then harmony would occur. V.Oliver

The Qin Dynasty In 221 B.C., the Qin dynasty emerged. The Qin dynasty established a strong central government or a strong government that controlled all of China’s local rulers. The Qin ruler was the first Chinese ruler to call himself emperor. V.Oliver

Centralization Shi Huang-Ti was a harsh but strong ruler. He introduced a uniform system of writing. He ordered the execution of people who disagreed with him. The Chinese were forced to obey his rules. V.Oliver

The Great Wall of China was built to protect China from During Qin China, the Chinese began building the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall of China was built to protect China from nomadic invaders. V.Oliver

Questions for Reflection: Define the Mandate of Heaven. How did the Chinese explain the rise of a new dynasty? How did Confucianism differ from Daoism? Who was Shi Huang-Ti? Why did the Chinese build the Great Wall of China? What are characteristics of a strong central government? V.Oliver

The Han Dynasty In this lesson, students will be able identify significant characteristics of the Han dynasty. Students will be able to identify and/or define the following terms: The Han Dynasty Civil Service Examination Silk Road Cultural Diffusion V.Oliver

The Han dynasty unified China for over four hundred years. V.Oliver The Han Dynasty

Han emperors expanded China’s borders V.Oliver Han emperors expanded China’s borders and increased trade.

The Silk Road was a famous Chinese V.Oliver The Silk Road was a famous Chinese trading route.

Cultural Diffusion Cultural diffusion is the exchange of cultural ideas and/or objects. The Silk Road encouraged cultural diffusion. Chinese ideas and objects were introduced to other cultures. V.Oliver

Overland Trade During the Han dynasty, merchants established overland trade routes to other centers of civilization. The Silk Road went through Central Asia to the Middle East. The Silk Road was a famous Chinese trading route. V.Oliver

Civil Service Examination During the Han dynasty, a civil service examination based on Confucianism was established. V.Oliver

To work for the government, a Chinese man had to pass a difficult examination. By establishing a civil service examination, education was emphasized. V.Oliver

Chinese contact with India led to the introduction of Buddhism in China. V.Oliver

Questions for Reflection: Why is the Han dynasty frequently compared to the Roman Empire? Why did Han emperors establish a civil service examination? What philosophy became the official philosophy of China during the Han dynasty? Why did the Silk Road increase cultural diffusion? V.Oliver