Imperial China

Daoism and Confucianism Daoism – Happiness lies in living a harmonious relationship with nature Confucianism – Emphasizes maintaining proper relationships with family and the government

Qin Dynasty Unified China for 1 st time Defeated Zhou dynasty Qin Shihuangdi became 1 st Chinese emperor How? –Had more iron for weapons – Legalist (burnt all books in China) –Frequently executed generals Began the Great Wall

Han Dynasty

Took over after Qin dynasty lost power following a peasants revolt Retained Qin administration policies, but created vassal states Invaded N. Korea and Veitnam –each paid tribute to the Han Emperor Removed Legalism-with the cruel and harsh laws –Re-adopted Confucianism as primary religion –Became core of the civil service

Han Dynasty Created “Forbidden City” –Only emperor, his family, and advisors were allowed in Invented paper and porcelain Ethnic majority in China to this day –Over 90% of modern Chinese are of Han decent

Silk Road –Established by the Han –Caravan routes across Central Asia to Alexandria and Europe; carried spices, silk, and any other tradable objects to the West –Relatively insecure during this period

Decline of the Han and Rome Similarities Defense –Large military expenditures vs. domestic –Overrun by nomadic barbarians Deeply influenced by Han Identity of conquered areas –forcing to abide by customs and language Government administration –Provinces –Government corruption

Decline of the Han and Rome Differences Religions –Rome-Christianity-intolerant and fragmented –China-Confucianism- stressed government – responsibility Empire –Rome-never recovered –China-imperial model revived and Han territory reunified