Qin falls and Han begins

The King is Dead…Long live the King!

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QIN Dynasty (221–206 B.C.)

The Qin dynasty emerged in 221 B.C. from China’s bloody civil wars between 400 B.C. and 200 B.C.

Established by Qin Shihuangdi

Control

The Qin dynasty adopted Legalism. Political opponents of the regime (the

government in power) were imprisoned or executed.

Books that opposed the official views were burned.

Government

The Qin made the central government stronger.

The government was divided into three ministries: The Civil, the Military, and the censorate

(Inspector). Members of the censorate checked on

government officials to make sure they were doing their jobs.

Future Chinese dynasties adopted this practice and kept this structure.

External problems

The Xiongnu nomadic people who lived near the Gobi. mastered warfare from horseback and

attacked the Chinese living in the north. Protection = system of walls called the

Great Wall of China. The Great Wall we see today was built

1,500 years later.

Why did the Qin fall?

Failed to rule with humanity

many peasant rebellions, 3 assassination attempts, Shi Huangdi’s death, his son failed as a ruler lost the Mandate of

Heaven

Han Dynasty 206 B.C.E.-220 C.E. (c. 400 years)

Overview continued the Q’in organization strong but humane government, great wealth Confucian education for upper class men important inventions and excellent long

distance trade.

Han Politics

Liu Bang - 1st Han

Emperor

Chang’an is capital

Wu Di – another

important emperor

Chang’an

•Largest city in the world

•Carefully planned

•Great trade center on Silk Road

•Wealthy and beautiful

Key events/changes

Replaced Legalism with Confucianism

Confucianism teaches that Emperor is

o Responsible for keeping harmony

o Must model goodness and virtue

Often attacked by central Asian nomads

Confucian Civil Service Examination

Han government officials chosen by scores on

a Confucian poetry and moral code test

Han started schools to train candidates

Curriculum is Confucius’s teachings, Chinese

history, and Chinese law.

Han Economy Agriculture and peasant

lives

Innovations improved

output

Chinese traders were able to

sail into the Indian Ocean,

SILK Road across Asia to

Middle East connects China

to Europe

3000 B.C. Silk first produced in China

1500 B.C. Semi-nomadic stockbreeding tribes inhabit steppes

753 B.C. Rome founded

500 B.C. Chinese adopt nomadic style, wear trousers and ride horses

551 - 479 B.C. Confucius born in China

350 B.C. Greek culture spreads into Central Asia (Persia conquered by Alexander the Great)

300 B.C. Roman expansion begins around Mediterranean region

Shi Huangdi’s Qin dynasty unites entire China for the first time

Qin Dynasty begins Great Wall

Han dynasty overthrows the Qin and develops its vast empire

Buddhism begins to spread north out of India and into China

Paper first made in China

200 B.C. The Xiongnu (Huns) rise to power in Central Asia and invade Chinese western border regions

Emperor WuDi orders Zhang Qian to travel the Western Regions and open the trade route (Silk Road) to the west

100 B.C. Rome becomes an empire

1 A.D. Silk first seen in Rome

Buddhism begins to spread from India into Central Asia

Christianity begins to spread in the world

100 A.D. Roman empire at its largest

The first Roman envoy arrives in China

Buddhism reaches China

200 A.D. Han dynasty falls and the China breaks up

300 A.D. The secret skill of sericulture (silk production) begins to spread west along the Silk Road

Xiongnu (Huns) invades China and China further dissolved into fragments

500 A.D. Silkworm breeding appears in Europe

A Timeline History of Silk production from its origins in China to its arrival in Europe.

18.

Religion/Philosophy

Confucianism is VERY influential in govt and social life

People follow Confucian morals in all aspects of life

Buddhism came to China via the Silk Road

Han Society Population tripled to 50

million

WHY?

IMPACT?

Increased govt.

responsibility

Diagnosed diseases.herbal remedies used anesthetics.Acupuncture

Wrote texts on chemistry, zoology, and botany.Astronomy popularInvented seismograph

SCIENCE MEDICINE

TECHNOLOGY

Paper invented (pic to right)Invented the rudder, fore/aft sails to sail into the windfishing reels, wheelbarrows, and suspension bridges.

Han Innovations

Fore Aft Sails, Fishing reel, Water wheel, rudder

Han Great Wall

Extended the Q’in wall 1500 miles

Many more towers and soldiers to guard China

Han Art

Wealth provides time

Time allows the

development of art and

architecture

Focus is on beautifying

environment

Maybe showing off?

Han Warfare (FYI)

“The bandits were numerous, and Yang's forces very weak, so his men were filled with alarm and despondency.

But he organized several dozen horse-drawn vehicles carrying bellows to blow powdered lime strongly forth, he caused rags of fire to be tied to the tails of a number of horses, and he prepared other vehicles full of bowmen and crossbowmen.

The lime chariots went forward first, and as the bellows were plied the smoke was blown forwards according to the wind, then the rags were kindled and the frightened horses rushed forwards throwing the enemy lines into confusion…….

after which the bowmen and crossbowmen opened fire,

the drums and gongs were sounded,

and the terrified enemy was utterly destroyed and dispersed.

Han Fall

Han rulers love for wealth and pleasure

weakened the government

The Han dynasty fell in A.D. 220.

China descends into chaos

Warlord states rule for 350 years

China’s Time of Troubles

220-589 China is not unified under a single

Emperor

Return of regional rule and many small regional

wars

Consider impact…

The Qin and Han dynasties were BOTH known for their cultural achievements.

BUT Shihuangdi only educated officials, while the Han educated all on Confucianist ideology

Key Confucian works were printed in a set. Generations of Chinese schoolchildren

learned the norms of proper behavior from these texts.