Imperial China: Qin to Ming Dynasties

Qin [Ch’in] Dynasty, 221-206 B.C.E. Established China’s first empire  Shi Huangdi (221-206 B.C.E) Legalist rule  Bureaucratic administration Centralized control Military expansion Book burnings  targeted Confucianists Buried protestors alive! Built large section of the Great Wall Short-lived but very significant. Book burnings (including Confucius!) Millions of peasants were forced to build the Great Wall along the northern border. China, from Qin, developed as the name outsiders used to refer to China. But the Chinese still refer to themselves as Han people.

Shi Huangdi’s Terra Cotta Army Note the western terminus at Jiayu Pass and the eastern terminus at Shanhai Pass.

Shi Huangdi’s Terra Cotta Army Note the western terminus at Jiayu Pass and the eastern terminus at Shanhai Pass.

Shi Huangdi’s Terra Cotta Soldiers & Cavalrymen Note the western terminus at Jiayu Pass and the eastern terminus at Shanhai Pass.

Cavalry Note the western terminus at Jiayu Pass and the eastern terminus at Shanhai Pass.

Individual Soldiers Note the western terminus at Jiayu Pass and the eastern terminus at Shanhai Pass.

The Details of an Individual Soldier Note the western terminus at Jiayu Pass and the eastern terminus at Shanhai Pass.

Individual “Tombs” Note the western terminus at Jiayu Pass and the eastern terminus at Shanhai Pass.

The Great Wall with Towers How effective do you think this kind of fortification would have been in pre-modern times?

The Eastern terminus of the Great Wall, Shanhai Pass

Han Dynasty, 206 B.C.E.-220 C.E. “People of the Han”  original Chinese Paper invented [105 B.C.E.]  Silk Road trade develops; improves life for many Buddhism introduced into China Expanded into Central Asia The Han Synthesis term refers to the emphasis on Legalism, but with a touch of Confucianism. The Han dynasty recorded Confucius’s teachings (The Analects) and put a big emphasis on the family. Founded the Imperial University Required examinations to become bureaucrat (civil service system) Soldiers dropped to lowest status. Confucianists at work; Daoists at home. The Han tried to replace literature, including Confucius’s writings, lost during the Qin Dynasty. Created new works of literature and music. Scroll painting began during this time. Iron was now used for plows and weapons. Acupuncture was invented. Invented a crude seismic sensing tool, so they could send troops and food to the scene of an earthquake! Inventions include: paper (105 CE), sternpost rudder on ships, water mill, wheelbarrow, furrowed cultivation Show map for Silk Road trade. It brought Chinese together into one civilization, creating a common culture. Economically, it brought much wealth to the Han, as they exported much more than they imported. Wudi’s public schools taught Confucianism. Grand School in capital. In 100 years, 30,000 studied there.

Han – Roman Empire Connection

Chang’an The Han Capital What about this map suggests that Chang’an was a city of an advanced civilization? Answers might include: Grid pattern. Palaces and administrative buildings suggest centralized governments. Markets suggest trade.

His jade suit has 2498 pieces! Liu Sheng Tomb (d. 113 BCE) His jade suit has 2498 pieces!

Emperor Wudi, 141-87 B.C.E. Started public schools. Colonized Manchuria, Korea, & Vietnam. Civil service system  bureaucrats Confucian scholar-gentry Revival of Chinese landscape painting. The Han Synthesis term refers to the emphasis on Legalism, but with a touch of Confucianism. The Han dynasty recorded Confucius’s teachings (The Analects) and put a big emphasis on the family. Founded the Imperial University Required examinations to become bureaucrat (civil service system) Soldiers dropped to lowest status. Confucianists at work; Daoists at home. The Han tried to replace literature, including Confucius’s writings, lost during the Qin Dynasty. Created new works of literature and music. Scroll painting began during this time. Iron was now used for plows and weapons. Acupuncture was invented. Invented a crude seismic sensing tool, so they could send troops and food to the scene of an earthquake! Inventions include: paper (105 CE), sternpost rudder on ships, water mill, wheelbarrow, furrowed cultivation Show map for Silk Road trade. It brought Chinese together into one civilization, creating a common culture. Economically, it brought much wealth to the Han, as they exported much more than they imported. Wudi’s public schools taught Confucianism. Grand School in capital. In 100 years, 30,000 studied there.

Han Artifacts Imperial Seal Han Ceramic House

Ceramics, Later Han Period