Classical China: Qin and Han Dynasties

Zhou Dynasty (1029-258BCE)

Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) Era of Warring States: seven competing kingdoms Shihuangdi (r. 221-210 BCE) defeated others and became “first emperor” Advanced army, elaborate bureaucracy Used Legalism to rule empire Standardized weights, measures, currency, axle lengths Began construction of the Great Wall, canals Written Chinese language

Qin Dynasty (221-206BCE)

Legalism Political philosophy used by Shihuangdi The state, law, and the position of the ruler had ultimate authority Rules were made public Strict rewards and punishments were enforced Viewed soldiers and farmers as only essential members of society

Mausoleum of Qin Shihuangdi

Mausoleum of Qin Shihuangdi Built between 246-208 BCE Possessions were meant to accompany the emperor into the afterlife 6,000 terracotta warriors Booby traps Workers were buried inside the tomb

Mausoleum of Qin Shihuangdi

Han Dynasty (206 BCE-221 CE) Civil war erupted after Shihuangdi’s death Han dynasty founded by Emperor Gaozu Capital at Chang’an Readily assimilated non-Chinese people Emperor Wu (r. 141-87 BCE) Confucianism became official government philosophy Nationalized salt and iron industries Repelled nomadic Xiongnu from the north

Han Dynasty (206 BCE-221 CE)

Imperial Bureaucracy Emperor Wu established the Imperial University to train officials Different levels of examinations to enter the bureaucracy Exams based on Confucian writings, math, literature, history Officials selected due to merit and morality over wealth and status Favored wealthy families who could afford intensive schooling for their sons Bureaucratic officials gained power, prestige

Confucianism Confucius (551-479 BCE) Five unequal relationships Philosopher and government official Saw the family as the ideal basis for government Social harmony occurred by following example of superiors Five unequal relationships Ruler to ruled Father to son Husband to wife Elder brother to younger brother Friend to friend

Confucianism Moral example of superiors should guide action Education led to moral betterment Cultivated ren: benevolence, goodness Harmonious family life was essential Reverence of ancestors Filial piety: Honor of one’s parents and ancestors

Patriarchy and Confucianism Balance in the cosmos Heaven (male) and earth (female) Virtues for ideal men Wen (rationality, scholarship) Wu (physical and martial ability) “Three Obediences” for women Father Husband Son

Daoism Founded by Laozi (ca. 6th century BCE) Encouraged withdrawal to nature Rejection of formal education, political and social involvements Dao: the way, the path Simplicity in living, limited government Yin (dark, female) and yang (light, male): complementary forces, unity in opposites

Han Society Emperor Aristocracy Scholar-gentry Farmers Artisans Rich landowners Scholar-gentry Developing class who become bureaucrats Farmers Vast majority of Chinese population Artisans Merchants Viewed as materialistic, profiting from others

Peasant Farmers in Han China Majority of Chinese population were small farmers Crippled by high rents to large landowners, military service and state-mandated labor, natural disasters Wang Mang (r. 9-23 CE) Overthrew Han dynasty Outlawed slavery, equally distributed all land Yellow Turban Rebellion (184-205 CE) Flooding of Yellow River 360,000 peasants rebelled

Han Economy and Science Standardized coin money created by the imperial mint Silk Roads connected China to trade with India, Middle East, and the Roman Empire Beginnings of papermaking industry Negative numbers, seismograph

Decline and Fall of the Han Dynasty Empire became too big to maintain Court eunuchs and aristocracy fought for power Large landowning families gained power Yellow Turban Revolt (184-205 CE) Frequent invasions by northern nomads

Shang-Han Dynasties