Review Discussion What are the first 3 dynasties of china? Why was the Shang military so strong? Why did the Shang eventually collapse? On what river did Chinese civilization originate? How did rulers justify the overthrow of previous dynasties?
Zhou c. 1050 BC – 250 BC Ruled 800 years – Longest of any dynasty No centralized governement Territories divided amongst royal family Lords had complete control Private armies Eventually weakened by fighting DON'T WRITE → King Yu and Pao Szu legend
Accomplishments Expanded roads and foreign trade Formed cavalry Invented crossbow Iron plows
Qin Lasted only 15 years!! China derives from “Qin” 221 BC – 207 BC China derives from “Qin” Imposed a centralized administration Capitol: Xian
Qin Shihuangdi Established dynasty - “First Emperor” Created military districts Autocracy – a government which the ruler holds complete power Prevents lords from becoming strong Took away land and imposed taxes Harsh ruler – even against dissenting thought
Unification Standardized system was implemented Weights and measures Writing Currency Law
Public Works Forced labor Canals Roads Defensive walls 4,000 miles long Protection from invasions Built with forced labor (300,000 peasants) Later connected: becomes Great Wall
Terra Cotta Army
Decline Forced labor led to discontent Gap between the Emperor and the people grew Army rebelled Liu Bang, a commoner, took control Establishes the Han Dynasty