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Chinese Dynasties
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Chinese civilizations began along rivers
Huange He (Yellow River): Cereals Chang Jiang (Yangzi River): Rice
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Shang Dynasty: 1500’s until 1100BCE
Huang He Valley First writing system During Bronze Age Oracle Bones Calendar based on the moon Ancestor worship Polytheistic Shang Dynasty Video
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Zhou Dynasty (1100 – 771BCE) Rebels from W China overthrow the Shang ruler in the 1100’s Mandate of Heaven Emperor takes control over Chinese society Many lords refused to fight when invaders attacked in 771BC and the emperor was overthrown
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Qin Dynasty (221 – 206BCE) 221BC China is unified under Shi Huangdi
Expansion of China Xi’an new capital Did not share power with lords System of law promoted equality Common currency and writing system Roads and canals built Great Wall Terra-cotta warriors Dynasty begins to fall apart after his death Terra Cotta Army Video Great Wall Video
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205BCE – 220AD
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Liu Bang Peasant that rose to power after the fall of the Qin dynasty
Earned the Mandate of Heaven through gaining people’s loyalty and trust Lowered taxes for farmers and made punishments less severe Relied on educated officials to help him rule
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Emperor Wudi (140BCE) Created a stronger government by taking land from lords, raising taxes, and putting the supply of grain under state control. He basically undid everything Liu Bang did. Emperor Wudi made Confucianism the official government philosophy
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Han Social Classes (ugh, this again)
Peasants were the largest class (making up 90%) and were given second class status because they made goods. Artisans were third class because they manipulated goods made by others. Merchants did not actually make anything, so they were the lowest class.
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Peasants of the Han Dynasty
90% of the 60 million people living in China were of the peasant class Peasants were very poor and worked long hours. Merchants (a lower class) were often much more wealthy. During the farming months they grew millet or rice, and they were forced to work on government building projects in the winter. Eventually, heavy taxes forced most farmers to lose their independent farms.
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Family Life Under Confucianism
Respect for elders Roles for father, mother and children Honoring of dead relatives Value placed on boys, not girls
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Family Shrine
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Sundial
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Seismograph
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Paper
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Acupuncture
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Period of Disunion Several rival kingdoms exists and they were ruled by military leaders Chinese culture continued to spread though despite constant wars
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Sui Dynasty Yang Jian from northern China conquers southern China Short-lived but significant due to the building of the Grand Canal
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Grand Canal
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Tang Dynasty 618 - 907 Considered a Golden Age and an age of expansion
Advancements in art and law Only female ruler, Empress Wu
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Song Dynasty China reunified after a brief period of disorder (Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms) Period of great achievements
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Achievements through the Tang and Song Dynasties
Cities grow TANG: Chang’an (now called Xi’an) had over a million people from many different parts of Asia and Europe and was known as a religious/ philosophical center SONG: Kaifeng (also a million)
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