1. Chapter 2: China
AP World History I

2. The Dynastic Cycle
A family of Kings would start its rule with great vigor.
Develop strong community
Active economy
Dynasty grows weaker, tax revenues decline
Social divisions increased
Internal rebellions
Invasions
Another Dynasty emerges, usually from the family of a successful general, invader, or peasant rebel.
Pattern starts anew…

3. Zhou Dynasty Lasted from 1029-258 BCE Replaces the RVC of the Shang
Flourished only until about 700 BCE
Replaces the RVC of the Shang
Never really develops a strong central government…regional alliances
Feudal
Rulers depend on a network of loyalties and obligations to and from their landlord vassals.
Power is LOST when the regional aristocrats solidify their own powerbase, ignoring the central government.

4. Zhou Dynasty

5. Zhou Dynasty
Usually divided into two time periods, Western, then Eastern.
Eastern is more Feudal
Developed and maintained China’s “core” territory from the Huanghe to the Yangtze, referred to as the “Middle Kingdom.”
Wheat grown in the north, Rice in the south
Zhou rulers use the mandate of heaven to claim right to rule from the Shang
Promote the unity of Mandarin Chinese

6. Confucius
Late 6th and early 5th century BCE saw the rise of Confucius’ philosophy…a complex set of political ethics which would become the core of Chinese philosophy.
The Era of Warring States:
402 BCE to 201 BCE

7. Qin Dynasty Qin Shi Huangdi, or First Emperor takes control of China.
He was a regional ruler during Warring States
Deposes the final Zhou Emperor
Brutal Ruler (but effective)
Problem lay with the power of Chinese Aristocracy (land owners, etc.)

8. Qin Dynasty
He ordered nobles to his palace and took control of their estates.
Control as far as Hong Kong and influenced the development of Vietnam
Orders a National Census
Data for tax revenues
Standardizes weights/measures and coinage
Even the length of axles on carts
Promoted Agriculture/irrigation/manufacturing (silk)
Burned books…thinking was subversive to his autocratic rule

9. Qin Dynasty Builds Great Wall of China (does most work on it)
3000 Miles
The top is wide enough for carts

10. Qin Dynasty Somewhat short-lived
High taxes
Legalism: singular punishment for most crimes
When the Emperor died in 210 BCE, massive revolts broke out by aggrieved peasants

11. Tomb of Shi Huangdi

12. Han Dynasty
Kept the Centralized rule of the Qin, but sought to reduce the oppression
Expands Chinese territory into Korea, Indochina, and central Asia
Conducted trade with Parthian Empire in the Middle East, through which the Chinese traded with the Romans

13. Han Dynasty Most Famous ruler…Wu Ti (Wudi) rules from 140-87 BCE
Encouraged peace within the empire
Brought prosperity to China

14. Han Dynasty Seen as a “Golden Age” of Chinese Culture and development
Government was linked to formal Confucian training
Urged support for Confucianism (unlike Qin)
Quality of Han rule declines after about two centuries
Central control weakens
Nomads…the Huns threaten China’s borders
CE: China was in a state of Chaos