Qin and Han Dynasties

Qin Unify China Qin (chin) replaced the Zhou Used Legalism to unify China: Strong military defeated invaders Seized land Murdered Confucian scholars and burned books Placed ppl loyal to the ruler in government Violently put down resistance Government had unlimited power

Government Sponsored Projects Poor ppl suffered because they were forced to do grueling work: Building highways New irrigation ditches were built Built the Great Wall of China Closed gaps from existing walls and extended along the empire’s borders Worked for no pay, killed if they refused, many dies anyway from starvation, crushing labor, or the harsh winters

Han Dynasty Overthrows the Qin Ppl resented the high taxes, harsh labor quotas and severe punishment system of the Qin After a civil war broke out in China, Han took over Han lowered taxes and softened harsh punishments Han dynasty lasted 400 years (202BC-200AD)

Highly Structured Government Used a complex bureaucracy Bureaucracy-a system of departments and agencies formed to carry out the work of government Applicants for civil service jobs were tested on their knowledge of Confucianism Civil service-govt. jobs within a bureaucracy Confucian scholars advised the emperors court In theory anyone could take the exam, in reality few peasants could afford to educate their sons so most govt. jobs were held by the wealthy

Tech. Commerce & Culture Many inventions were made that influenced Chinese life: Paper -> helped spread education Collar harness for horse -> pull heavier loads Perfected a 2 blade plow -> greater agricultural surplus Silk was a valuable trade item, production was kept a secret making it harder to get silk and they could charge higher prices Chinese becomes the common written language