Post on 16-Dec-2015
transcript
Strong Rulers Unite China
Do Now U2D18
Do Now: Complete the “Philosophy and Religion in China” chart and questions
HW: Study for your Unit 2 Exam on Monday. (Review Sheet will be posted on the course website today)
A Basic definition
Feudalism: loosely organized system of government in which local lords governed their own lands but owed military service and other support to a greater king (Think kings with lords controlling land in the countryside)
Qin Dynasty 221-206BCE
The story of the Qin Dynasty in China is one of harsh rule and ruthless social policy
Setting the scene
In China, in 221 BCE, a man named Zheng conquered the Zhou Dynasty
“…cracking his long whip, he drove the universe before him, swallowing up the eastern and western Zhou and overthrowing the feudal lords…”
Shi Huangdi
Zheng becomes Shi Huangdi
In 221 BCE, Zheng proclaims himself Shi Huangdi, “First Emperor”
Methods were brutal, but he ushered in China’s classical age
Historians call this classical because it set patterns in government, philosophy, religion, science, and the arts that served as the framework for later cultures in China
Shi Huangdi and Chinese Unity
Determined to end divisions that splintered the Zhou Dynasty
After conquering warring states, he employed Legalist advisors to create harsh rule in China
Emperor Shi Huangdi abolished feudalism Replaced feudalism with 36 Military Districts and
appointed local officials to report back to him Sent spies to monitor the local officials Required all noble families to live in the capital
of Xianyang Peasants received nobles land, but had to pay
high taxes on the land
Question!
What is the benefit of having all the noble families move to the capital city with Shi Huangdi?
Unity continues
Shi Huangdi… Standardized weights and measures Created a standard currency with Qin
coins Created uniform Chinese writing Workers repaired roads and canals for
trade Required cart axles to be the same
width so that wheels could run in the same ruts on Chinese roads
Scales and standard currency
Crackdown on dissent
Shi Huangdi moved harshly against critics Jailed, tortured, killed many who opposed his
rule Hardest hit were feudal lords and Confucian
scholars who hated his law
Approved book burning of all philosophy books and all works of literature Only books about medicine and agriculture
were spared
Shi Huangdi’s most famous achievement
The Great Wall of China
In the past, feudal states had built walls for protection Shi Huangdi ordered the feudal lord walls
destroyed New walls were to be built and connected Hundreds of thousands of laborers worked on
the wall Estimated 500,000 people died building the wall
Wall is over 25 feet in many parts Shi Huangdi wanted a wall that would unite
China and move it from the “warring states” period
Collapse of the Qin Dynasty
Shi Huangdi thought his empire would last forever Died in 210 BCE
Anger over heavy taxes and harsh policies caused revolts to explode all over China
An illiterate peasant leader, LIU BANG, defeated rival armies and created the HAN DYNASTY
Like others, Liu Bang claimed to have the MANDATE OF HEAVEN