1. 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
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The first known dynasty of China was the Shang dynasty. This dynasty united the people living around the Huang He and Yangtze river valleys.

3. The Zhou Dynasty
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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.

4. 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.
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5. Zhou rulers claimed the Mandate of Heaven or the right to rule.
However, the
gods could
remove
the ruler’s
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6. 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.
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7. 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.
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8. 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.
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9. 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.
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10. 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.
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11. 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?
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12. 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
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13. The Han dynasty unified China for over four hundred years.
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The Han Dynasty

14. Han emperors expanded China’s borders
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Han emperors expanded China’s borders
and increased trade.

15. The Silk Road was a famous Chinese
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The Silk Road was a famous Chinese
trading route.

16. 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.
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17. 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.
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18. Civil Service Examination
During the Han dynasty, a civil service examination based on Confucianism was established.
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19. To work for the government, a Chinese man had to pass a difficult
examination. By
establishing a
civil service
examination,
education was
emphasized.
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20. Chinese contact with India led to the introduction of Buddhism in
China.
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21. 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?
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