“Snow”cial Studies Tuesday, March 14 Mangold/Murphy Ancient China Section 3 Qin and Han Dynasties This is Mrs. Mangold and Emre and we're here to talk about ancient China Section 3 Qin and Han Dynasty and this is our social studies class for Tuesday March 14th “Snow”cial Studies Tuesday, March 14 Mangold/Murphy

Directions Each of the following slides has an audio icon that looks like this: Read the contents of each slide. This PPT covers Section 3: When you have completed the slide presentation, answer the questions on the last slide (the study guide). It is due on Thursday, March 15 as a homework assignment. The study guide is also attached as a link for you to print out at home or at school. The text is also available on my webpage! Enjoy your snow day! ☺

Ancient China: The Qin and the Han In section 2 we learned about the Shang and Zhou dynasties. We learned about Legalism, Confucianism, and Daoism, the three major social belief systems in Ancient China:

A New Ruler At the end of the Zhou Dynasty, a new ruler named Shi Huangdi came into power, about 221 B.C. Shi Huangdi was a Legalistic ruler who wanted Confucianism wiped out. He killed those who followed Confucianism, and burned books that contained ideas he disliked. Shi Huangdi expanded China’s size by conquering rival states and driving out nomadic invaders.

Shi Huangdi Shi Huangdi wanted to regain power from noble families, so he forced them to live near him in the capital so he could watch them. He wanted to unite the lands in China he conquered, so he ordered highways and canals be built To make it easier to trade in these newly united areas of China he standardized (which means make the same) coins, writing, and weights. To keep invaders from the north out of China, he ordered the building of the Great Wall.

The Great Wall The Great Wall was built in sections. It linked previous sections of wall that were built in prior dynasties. The Wall is over 5000 miles long and still stands today. Many peasants and criminals were forced to build it. Those who died while building the wall were buried within it.

Great Wall video

The Terra Cotta Army Shi Huangdi died in 210 B.C., and was buried in an elaborate tomb. His tomb was discovered in 1974 accidentally by farmers digging in a field. The Army contains over over 8000 terra cotta (baked clay) soldiers.

Terra Cotta Army video

Shi Huangdi’s End Shi Huangdi’s son was a weak leader, and a civil war broke out during his reign. A new leader, Liu Bangh, ended the civil war and reunified China, beginning the Han Dynasty The Han Dynasty lasted from 202 B.C.to 220 B.c., about the same time period as the Roman Empire.

Liu Bang Liu Bang was a less harsh ruler who put peasants to work on irrigation and building projects. He created a bureaucratic government. Liu Bang tested people on their knowledge of Confucianism and put the most educated and ethical people in positions of authority. After his death, Liu Bang’s widow ruled China (Empress Lu)

Wudi Creates Han Dynasty Wudi ruled China from 141 B.C. to 87 B.C. Wudi was a descendant of Liu Bang. Wudi was called the “Martial Ruler” because he used war to expand China. Wudi’s conquests greatly expanded China’s size.

Life During the Han Dynasty Farmers were a large part of Han society. Rich farmers had oxen to pull their plows; poor farmers had to pull plows themselves. Han farmers grew millet, wheat, rice, and vegetables. In Han cities, government officials and craftspeople lived and worked. Cities were crowded, but there were many things to do. Modern China identifies strongly with the Han Dynasty.

Section Summary

Section Questions Complete the Study Guide you received in class along with the text. Both items are also available on the Social Studies webpage. The study guide is a homework assignment that is due on Thursday, March 16.