Golden Ages of China

Dynasty a family of rulers who rule over a country for a long period of time a family of rulers who rule over a country for a long period of time

First Dynasty of China Shang Dynasty Shang Dynasty Built the first cities in China Built the first cities in China King- practiced absolute power: political, religious, and military leader King- practiced absolute power: political, religious, and military leader Grew to rule the people of the Huang He River valley Grew to rule the people of the Huang He River valley

Warlords Kings relied on warlords to govern conquered territories Kings relied on warlords to govern conquered territories Military leaders, exercised civil power by force in a limited area Military leaders, exercised civil power by force in a limited area

Lifestyle King, warlords, and royal officials made up the upper class King, warlords, and royal officials made up the upper class Aristocrats- people of noble birth Aristocrats- people of noble birth Most people were farmers: raised cattle, sheep, chickens, and grew grains millet, wheat, and rice Most people were farmers: raised cattle, sheep, chickens, and grew grains millet, wheat, and rice Polytheistic, but the god Shang Ti ruled as supreme god; gave offerings of food and gifts Polytheistic, but the god Shang Ti ruled as supreme god; gave offerings of food and gifts They also worshipped their ancestors, hoping they’d bring them good luck They also worshipped their ancestors, hoping they’d bring them good luck

The Zhou: China’s Longest Dynasty B.C. The last Shang ruler was wicked, so he was overthrown by rebels led by Wu Wang The last Shang ruler was wicked, so he was overthrown by rebels led by Wu Wang Wu Wang began a new dynasty- The Zhou Wu Wang began a new dynasty- The Zhou Dynasty lasted over 800 years Dynasty lasted over 800 years The king led with the help of a bureaucracy The king led with the help of a bureaucracy Bureaucracy- group of non-elected government officials Bureaucracy- group of non-elected government officials

China grew under the Zhou Dynasty- the rule effectively, the king divided the kingdom into territories China grew under the Zhou Dynasty- the rule effectively, the king divided the kingdom into territories The king’s main duty was to carry out religious ceremonies, because they believed that the king represented the people before the gods The king’s main duty was to carry out religious ceremonies, because they believed that the king represented the people before the gods

Mandate of Heaven The Zhou Dynasty believed in the Mandate of Heaven- this was the belief that the king’s right to rule came from the gods The Zhou Dynasty believed in the Mandate of Heaven- this was the belief that the king’s right to rule came from the gods This changed what the people expected of their king- he must rule by the proper “Way”- the Dao This changed what the people expected of their king- he must rule by the proper “Way”- the Dao The king’s duty was to honor and please the gods The king’s duty was to honor and please the gods Disasters were caused by the king failing to please the gods Disasters were caused by the king failing to please the gods

Period of the Warring States The aristocrats who ruled territories grew in power; they began ignoring their king’s commands, and took control of their own territories. The aristocrats who ruled territories grew in power; they began ignoring their king’s commands, and took control of their own territories. These aristocrats began fighting each other for territory and power These aristocrats began fighting each other for territory and power 200 years of fighting; forced farmers to fight with swords, spears, and crossbows 200 years of fighting; forced farmers to fight with swords, spears, and crossbows Horses were introduced- developed the saddle and stirrup Horses were introduced- developed the saddle and stirrup Led to a new dynasty… Led to a new dynasty…

Qin Dynasty Strong fighting territory- Qin; strong leader defeated all the other states: 221 B.C. Strong fighting territory- Qin; strong leader defeated all the other states: 221 B.C. Qin ruler declared himself “the First Qin Emperor” Qin ruler declared himself “the First Qin Emperor” Wanted to strengthen and unify China, so he took control of all the territories Wanted to strengthen and unify China, so he took control of all the territories Now governors had to be appointed by the ruler Now governors had to be appointed by the ruler

Qin Shihuangdi (Chin Shee-hwahng-dee) Ruled with absolute control and harsh punishment Ruled with absolute control and harsh punishment He punished or killed those who disagreed with him He punished or killed those who disagreed with him Created a common currency for all of China and simplified and set a standard for rules Created a common currency for all of China and simplified and set a standard for rules Constructed many building projects: palaces, roads, dams, and huge canal (connected two cities so they could transport supplies) Constructed many building projects: palaces, roads, dams, and huge canal (connected two cities so they could transport supplies)

Great Wall To protect China from the skilled warrior nomads of the Gobi desert, he connected already existent walls To protect China from the skilled warrior nomads of the Gobi desert, he connected already existent walls of-china of-china

End of Qin Dynasty After the death of Qin, aristocrats and farmers rebelled against his harsh rule – fighting broke out throughout China After the death of Qin, aristocrats and farmers rebelled against his harsh rule – fighting broke out throughout China 206 B.C. the Qin Dynasty was no more… 206 B.C. the Qin Dynasty was no more…

The Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D 220) One of the longest of China’s major dynasties. One of the longest of China’s major dynasties. It rivaled the Roman Empire in the West. It rivaled the Roman Empire in the West. With only minor interruptions it lasted a span of over four centuries and is considered a “Golden Age” in Chinese history especially in arts, politics and technology. With only minor interruptions it lasted a span of over four centuries and is considered a “Golden Age” in Chinese history especially in arts, politics and technology. Han Wudi- first strong emperor; took great steps to improve China’s government Han Wudi- first strong emperor; took great steps to improve China’s government

Han’s Government Wanted to end the practice of putting family members in important roles, so he chose educated, dedicated, and skilled men for civil service Wanted to end the practice of putting family members in important roles, so he chose educated, dedicated, and skilled men for civil service Government workers were chosen on the basis of competitive tests Government workers were chosen on the basis of competitive tests

Education Students were educated to prepare for future civil service Students were educated to prepare for future civil service Boys studied law, history, and ideas of Confucius Boys studied law, history, and ideas of Confucius

60 million 60 million They needed more food, but farms were smaller due to families dividing land among sons They needed more food, but farms were smaller due to families dividing land among sons Families had to sell their farms, and they became tenant farmers Families had to sell their farms, and they became tenant farmers Tenant Farmers- men who work land own by someone else, very poor Tenant Farmers- men who work land own by someone else, very poor China expanded north, including Korea, Southeast, and west into northern India China expanded north, including Korea, Southeast, and west into northern India Eventually had 150 years of peace Eventually had 150 years of peace

Han Culture During time of peace, literature and arts flourished During time of peace, literature and arts flourished Ideas of Confucius and filial piety became strong Ideas of Confucius and filial piety became strong Inventions: cast-iron plow, techniques to drain fields and direct water, waterwheels to grind grain, wheelbarrow, silk manufacturing, paper (written records), rudders in ships Inventions: cast-iron plow, techniques to drain fields and direct water, waterwheels to grind grain, wheelbarrow, silk manufacturing, paper (written records), rudders in ships

Medical Advancements Acupuncture- practice of inserting needles through the skin at specific points to treat disease and relieve pain Acupuncture- practice of inserting needles through the skin at specific points to treat disease and relieve pain Herbs to treat illnesses Herbs to treat illnesses

Silk Road They grew rich by sending expensive goods all over the world. They grew rich by sending expensive goods all over the world. Encouraged trade with other places in the world Encouraged trade with other places in the world A network of trade routes: 4,000 miles W. China to the Mediterranean A network of trade routes: 4,000 miles W. China to the Mediterranean Main link between Asia and Europe Main link between Asia and Europe Spread knowledge, culture, and religions- Buddhism Spread knowledge, culture, and religions- Buddhism

Fall of Han Dynasty Corrupt officials and weak, dishonest leaders caused people to rise up and rebel Corrupt officials and weak, dishonest leaders caused people to rise up and rebel After the Han Dynasty collapsed in 220, Civil wars divided China into North and South. After the Han Dynasty collapsed in 220, Civil wars divided China into North and South.

Social Unrest 300 years of no central government- lost many conquered lands, including Korea, Warlords fought each other 300 years of no central government- lost many conquered lands, including Korea, Warlords fought each other A.D. 581 Sui (Sway) Dynasty tried to create stability A.D. 581 Sui (Sway) Dynasty tried to create stability Rebuilt and added to the Great Wall Rebuilt and added to the Great Wall Constructed a Grand Canal to connect rivers Constructed a Grand Canal to connect rivers Higher taxes, made farmers mad, so they revolted Higher taxes, made farmers mad, so they revolted

Chapter 17

Restored uniform government throughout China and enlarged the civil service- brought back exams. Restored uniform government throughout China and enlarged the civil service- brought back exams. China conquered many lands, like Korea, Tibet, and Vietnam. China conquered many lands, like Korea, Tibet, and Vietnam. The most powerful emperor was Taizong (Ty-Dzung). The most powerful emperor was Taizong (Ty-Dzung). Empress Wu ruled in the late 600s: only woman to rule in China- strengthened the military Empress Wu ruled in the late 600s: only woman to rule in China- strengthened the military Empress Wu A.D. Page 476 Tang Dynasty (A.D )

Tang Dynasty Conquered lands became “tributary states”-meaning they remained independent but had to acknowledge Chinese supremacy. Conquered lands became “tributary states”-meaning they remained independent but had to acknowledge Chinese supremacy. land reform-broke up land and redistributed it to peasants. land reform-broke up land and redistributed it to peasants. Even though they were successful, the dynastic cycle took over and collapsed in 907. Even though they were successful, the dynastic cycle took over and collapsed in 907.

Inventions Gunpowder- explosives, weapons, and fireworks: changed wars page 485 Gunpowder- explosives, weapons, and fireworks: changed wars page 485 Perfected the magnetic compass used in navigation Perfected the magnetic compass used in navigation

Song Dynasty After the fall, military leaders controlled China. In A.D. 960, one general declared himself emperor and started the Song Dynasty. China was reunited, and they ruled for 319 years. After the fall, military leaders controlled China. In A.D. 960, one general declared himself emperor and started the Song Dynasty. China was reunited, and they ruled for 319 years. Under the Song, the Chinese culture and economy expanded and trade flourished. Under the Song, the Chinese culture and economy expanded and trade flourished. They issued paper money due to their booming trade centers and became a very wealthy dynasty known for their economic success. They issued paper money due to their booming trade centers and became a very wealthy dynasty known for their economic success.

Society During the Song Chinese society during this time was well ordered. Chinese society during this time was well ordered. At the top-the emperor and his court of aristocratic families At the top-the emperor and his court of aristocratic families Middle-The gentry (wealthy land owners) Middle-The gentry (wealthy land owners) At the bottom- peasants At the bottom- peasants Backed a new understanding of Confucianism- neo- Confucianism: Concerned for the worldly life and after life: included some Buddhist and Daoist beliefs Backed a new understanding of Confucianism- neo- Confucianism: Concerned for the worldly life and after life: included some Buddhist and Daoist beliefs Became a set of rules for good behavior Became a set of rules for good behavior Brought back civil service exams- very hard tests Brought back civil service exams- very hard tests Began at 4 to write Chinese characters; had to memorize Confucianism writings and recite them Began at 4 to write Chinese characters; had to memorize Confucianism writings and recite them 1 in 5 boys passed the test 1 in 5 boys passed the test

Foot Binding During the late Song Dynasty, women had much fewer rights and the custom of foot binding began. During the late Song Dynasty, women had much fewer rights and the custom of foot binding began. This reinforced the Confucian tradition that women should stay inside the home. This reinforced the Confucian tradition that women should stay inside the home. Women had a subordinate position that had to be enforced Women had a subordinate position that had to be enforced The tradition started in the aristocratic sect of society but eventually spread to lower classes The tradition started in the aristocratic sect of society but eventually spread to lower classes Feet were bound with strips of cloth-as a result feet became half the size of a natural growing foot Feet were bound with strips of cloth-as a result feet became half the size of a natural growing foot Tiny feet and an extended walk became a symbol of nobility and beauty Tiny feet and an extended walk became a symbol of nobility and beauty Women feared not being able to find a husband if their feet were large Women feared not being able to find a husband if their feet were large The practice was extremely painful The practice was extremely painful Peasants who had to work in the fields did not bind their feet because binding often prevented women from being able to walk Peasants who had to work in the fields did not bind their feet because binding often prevented women from being able to walk

Footbinding