Chinese Empire By Mrs. Hoff

China begins around 2200 BCE China was defined by the ideal of a centralized state The Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties enlarged the Chinese state The ruler was the “Son of Heaven,” an intermediary between heaven and earth

China begins around 2200 BCE Early written language with oracle bones were early documents China has maintained impressive cultural continuity into modern times

Restoration of China Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties had created a Chinese state The system fell apart by 500 B.C.E. Then began the age of warring states: seven competing kingdoms vying for power. multiple states were regarded as unnatural

Unification by Shi Huangdi, ruler of Qin (r. 221–210 BCE) Adopted Legalism as political philosophy: clear rules and harsh punishments to enforce state authority Shi Huangdi means “first emperor”; Qin is his family name, so Qin Shi Huangdi and Qin Dynasty.

Creation of Empire was Brutal Qin used military force to keep order Execution of scholars, book burning Hundreds of thousands of laborers built Great Wall Shihuangdi’s monumental tomb has about 7,500 life-size ceramic statues

Qin Dynasty Strong, efficient government Standardized writing Standardized weights and measures Minted their own standardized coins Created standardized royal roads Standardized axle widths

End of the Qin Qin dynasty collapsed in 206 B.C.E Next is the Han dynasty (206 b.c.e.–220 C.E.) The Han kept Qin centralization less harsh

Han Empire Silk Road became very important during this period. This promotes trade and leads to greater innovations because of the movement of people, goods, and ideas.

Consolidating the Chinese Empire Chinese emperor as Son of Heaven rule by Mandate of Heaven dependent on just rule heavy ritual duties to maintain relationship between earth and heaven moral government spelled out by writings of Confucius and his followers (The Chinese Oracle symbol for “Tian” or Heaven

Buddhism Spread to China through trade routes Not very popular until collapse of Han dynasty temporary state support under Sui dynasty never dominate in China

Assimilation Ethnic Chinese had a large cultural heartland  The Chinese actively assimilated “barbarians”

Chinese Language Chinese characters (represented words or ideas) could not be  transferred easily to other languages  All literate people could understand written Chinese Very important in assimilating the elites

Bureaucracy Chinese emperor Wudi (r. 141–87 B.C.E) established an academy to train officials based on works of Confucius  Developed into civil service system lasted until twentieth century

Confucian Relationships Superior Ruler Husband Parent Elder Brother Friend Subordinate Ruled Wife Child Younger Brother Friend