1. The Qin and Han Dynasties Chinese Religion
China
The Qin and Han Dynasties
Chinese Religion

2. The Warring States Marks the end of the Zhou Dynasty
Ends with the rise of the Qin Dynasty
Only one ruler
Qin Shihuangdi
First ‘emperor’

3. Chinese Religious Practices
Three new philosophies emerged during the Warring States:
Confucianism
Daoism
Legalism

4. Confucianism Perform your duty/Respect those in authority
Five key relationships
Ruler to subject
Father to son
Husband to wife
Older bro to young bro
Friend to friend
Teachings were written down by disciples in the Analects

5. Daoism Founded by the philosopher Laozi
Humans should exist in harmony with nature
Wu wei  “Act by not acting”
Strong government is useless
Small, self-sufficient towns
Ultimate goal: Cultivate virtue
Patience
Selflessness
Concern for others

6. Legalism People are inherently evil Government must control subjects
Motivated by self-interest
Government must control subjects
Strict laws
Harsh punishments

7. The Qin Dynasty Qin unified the Chinese world Centralized government
Defensive walls
The Great Wall
Standard systems
Laws (think Hammurabi)
Currency
Roads
Writing

9. Ruthless Qin adopted Legalism 400-500 scholars were killed
Confucian books destroyed
Ruthless

10. The Han Dynasty Shihuangdi dies in 206 BCE
Han Dynasty established (204 BCE – 221 CE)
Agricultural
Considered a ‘Golden Age’ of Chinese history
Art, politics, technology flourished
Silk Road trade flourished
United empire, self-perpetuating government
Rivaled Rome
Inventions:
-Rigging for ships
-paper
-watermill
-wheelbarrow

12. The Han Dynasty Civil Service exam established Patriarchal Collapsed
Women lost rights over time
Influence of Confucianism
Collapsed
High taxes, nomadic invasions, plague, civil war, weak/corrupt leaders