1. Chinese Empire
By Mrs. Hoff

2. China begins around 2200 BCE
China was defined by the ideal of a centralized state
The Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties enlarged the Chinese state
The ruler was the “Son of Heaven,” an intermediary between heaven and earth

3. China begins around 2200 BCE
Early written language with oracle bones were early documents
China has maintained impressive cultural continuity into modern times

4. Restoration of China
Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties had created a Chinese state
The system fell apart by 500 B.C.E.
Then began the age of warring states: seven competing kingdoms vying for power.
multiple states were regarded as unnatural

5. Unification by Shi Huangdi, ruler of Qin (r. 221–210 BCE)
Adopted Legalism as political philosophy: clear rules and harsh punishments to enforce state authority
Shi Huangdi means “first emperor”; Qin is his family name, so Qin Shi Huangdi and Qin Dynasty.

6. Creation of Empire was Brutal
Qin used military force to keep order
Execution of scholars, book burning
Hundreds of thousands of laborers built Great Wall
Shihuangdi’s monumental tomb has about 7,500 life-size ceramic statues

8. Qin Dynasty Strong, efficient government Standardized writing
Standardized weights and measures
Minted their own standardized coins
Created standardized royal roads
Standardized axle widths

9. End of the Qin Qin dynasty collapsed in 206 B.C.E
Next is the Han dynasty (206 b.c.e.–220 C.E.)
The Han kept Qin centralization
less harsh

10. Han Empire
Silk Road became very important during this period. This promotes trade and leads to greater innovations because of the movement of people, goods, and ideas.

11. Consolidating the Chinese Empire
Chinese emperor as Son of Heaven
rule by Mandate of Heaven
dependent on just rule
heavy ritual duties to maintain relationship between earth and heaven
moral government spelled out by writings of Confucius and his followers
(The Chinese Oracle symbol for “Tian” or Heaven

12. Buddhism Spread to China through trade routes
Not very popular until collapse of Han dynasty
temporary state support under Sui dynasty
never dominate in China

13. Assimilation Ethnic Chinese had a large cultural heartland
 The Chinese actively assimilated “barbarians”

14. Chinese Language
Chinese characters (represented words or ideas) could not be  transferred easily to other languages
 All literate people could understand written Chinese
Very important in assimilating the elites

15. Bureaucracy
Chinese emperor Wudi (r. 141–87 B.C.E) established an academy to train officials based on works of Confucius
 Developed into civil service system
lasted until twentieth century

16. Confucian Relationships
Superior
Ruler
Husband
Parent
Elder Brother
Friend
Subordinate
Ruled
Wife
Child
Younger Brother
Friend