The Political Development of Imperial China

The Government of Imperial China Mandate of Heaven - Heaven supported the dynasty for as long as the emperor ruled well. Bureaucracy – government officials that helped rule China. When it became corrupt the emperor seized control which led to rebellions and warlords.

China’s First Dynasty: Qin 221-206 B.C.E. Imperial China - ruled by an emperor Dynasties - ruling families 221 B.C.E. - first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, unites 7 kingdoms of China to become first emperor.

The Han Dynasty Han Dynasty ruled during a golden age from 206 B.C.E. to 220 C.E. Han dynasty uses civil service exams based on Confucianism.

The Han Lose the Mandate of Heaven. 360 years of chaos follows as China breaks up into smaller kingdoms and warlords fight for control.

The Sui dynasty reunites China. Dynasty rules from 589 until 618.

The Tang Dynasty: 618-907 Tang mostly used educated aristocracy as scholar-officials to run government who passed civil service examinations based on the works of Confucius Anyone could take the test but only the wealthy could afford tutors, books and time to study.

Collapse of the Tang Peasant rebellions help lead to Tang collapse in 907 Chaos for 50 to 60 years

The Song Dynasty: 960-1279 Song create meritocracy - rule by officials that earn their positions Knowledge of Confucius would create officials that were kind, rational, moral and able to maintain order. Song made it so people from lower classes could get education to pass exams. Government jobs had privileges such as no taxes or military service.

Mongol Invasion Song dynasty ends with invasion by the Mongols

Yuan Dynasty: 1279-1368 Temujin, Genghis Khan starts Mongol empire in 1206 and conquers Northern China Kublai Khan, completes conquest of China, begins Yuan dynasty.

Mongol Empire

Government by Foreigners Under Yuan, Mongols and foreigners, such as Marco Polo, controlled all the important government positions. Abandonment of civil service exams. Chinese scholars became teachers, minor official, and clerks.

The Ming Dynasty: 1368-1644 Mistreatment of Chinese cause rebellion. Ming re-establishes civil service examinations.

Advantages of Ming Civil Service System well-organized government emphasized moral behavior, justice, kindness, loyalty to emperor, proper conduct, loyalty to family gave poor men an opportunity to be government official ensured that government officials were trained and talented

Disadvantages of Ming Civil Service System Exams did not test science, mathematics, and engineering Confucian scholars had little respect for merchants, business, and trade bureaucracy valued tradition more than progress