1. Confucius changes China Chapter 7 lesson 4 notes

2. Confucius changes China I. The Han Dynasty A. The Qin dynasty was overthrown by rebel armies in 206 B.C. B. The rebel armies were led by Han Gaozu, a farmer turned general 1. Han Gaozu family started the Han dynasty C. The Han dynasty expanded their rule over northern China, present day Korea and Vietnam D. The Han rulers did not agree with the Qin belief that rulers could do whatever they wanted to

4. Confucius changes China In 551 B.C. a man by the name of Kongzi was born to a poor family in the province of Shandong. Kongzi is known in the western world as Confucius. Confucius saw many problems in the world in which he lived. He wanted to help make improvements, in order to change the world for the better. In order to get into a position of influence, Confucius tried to get himself appointed as an advisor to a number of different government officials. When this failed, Confucius instead set out as a teacher.

5. Confucius changes China E. The Han dynasty based their beliefs on Confucianism 1. Confucianism is based on the teachings of Confucius 2. He was a great teacher 3. He believed in education. 4. He taught that the Chinese had lost important ancient traditions, but believed they could be relearned and people could become good again 5. Confucianism’s central idea is respect within the family

6. 6. Confucius also believed people should respect their government 7. He also believed rulers should be wise and good 8. Confucius believed the right to rule came from the gods, called the Mandate of Heaven 9. Confucius’ ideas were written down by his students in a book called The Analects

7. Confucius changes China F. Unlike the Qin dynasty, the Han dynasty accepted Confucius’s teachings G. The first great Han leader was Wudi (140 B.C. – 87 B.C.) 1. Government jobs were given to educated people not just nobles 2. Under Wudi, schools were created to educate people for government jobs

8. Confucius changes China

9. 3. These schools were run by Confucian teachers 4. Very good students went on to the Grand School 5. The Grand School, created by Wudi, taught ancient Chinese poetry, history, songs, and the proper way to live 6. After a year in the Grand School students took a difficult, long test

10. Confucius changes China H. The Chinese invented many things 1. Created paper from the bark of Mulberry trees 2. Created silk cloth, cocoons of silk worms are used to make silk a. Mulberry tree leaves are what silk worms eat 3. Invented the seismograph