1. The Qin and the Han Dynasties
Chapter 7.3

2. Objectives
6.35 List the policies and achievements of the emperor Shi Huang and explain how these contributed to the unification of northern China under the Qin Dynasty and the construction of the Great Wall of China. (H, P)
6.36 Detail the political contributions of the Han Dynasty and determine how they contributed to the development of the imperial bureaucratic state and the expansion of the empire. (H, P)
6.37 Cite the significance of the trans-Eurasian “silk roads” in the period of the Han Dynasty and Roman Empire and their locations. (E, G, H)
6.38 Describe the diffusion of Buddhism northward to China during the Han Dynasty

3. The Qin Emperor
Qin controlled China from the Huang He to the Chang Jiang
Qin Shihuangdi means “the First Qin Emperor”

4. How Did Qin Change China?
Qin wanted to strengthen and unify China
Ruled with absolute control and punishment
Anyone who disagreed was punished and killed
Writings that displeased Qin were burned

5. Qin created currency or money

6. Writing system
Simplified and set rules for writing system

7. Shi Huangdi’s tomb
In March of 1974, Chinese peasants digging a well near Xi'an in the central province of Shaanxi found some unusual pottery fragments. Then, deeper down at eleven feet, they unearthed a head made of terra cotta (baked earth or clay). They notified the authorities and excavation of the site began immediately. To date, workers have dug up about eight thousand sculpted clay soldiers, and the site has proved to be one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time.

8. Terra Cotta Soldiers

9. Grand Canal
Shi Huangdi built a canal that connected Chang Jiang ito the Guangzhou in Southern China

10. Why was the Great Wall Built?
To keep out invaders

11. The Great Wall Facts
The Great Wall of China was built over about 2000 years by several different Chinese emperors, starting in BC 475, to protect the people from their enemies, the Huns.
Facts about building and the construction of the great wall of china.
The Wall is a unique structure that is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. It snakes through the mountains of China for 4,500 miles. That's longer than the distance across from New York to California by about 1,000 miles! Many small walls were constructed by multiple Chinese emperors. Most of these small walls no longer exist as they were revamped during the Ming Dynasty, between 1368 and 1644 A.D., while much of the rest of the world was still developing. The Ming Dynasty's rebuilding made it more elaborate with watchtowers, battlements and cannons. Leading the great wall to additional protection of the people.
The Great Wall is 25 feet tall and feet wide. That's wide enough for two cars to drive on! The facts show many people worked to build the Great Wall of China. Ancient records show that more than 300,000 soldiers and 500,000 commoners worked to build it. That's about the same as the population of San Francisco! Building the wall was hard work. Some of it was in very hot weather and some in the bitter cold. In the earliest stages, builders rammed earth and stone into the walls. But in the Ming Dynasty they used bricks, limestone and tiles, as well.

12. The End of Qin Rule
Qin boasted that his dynasty would rule China forever
Both aristocrats and farmers revolted against harsh Qin rule

13. Han Rulers In 202 B.C. Liu Bang founded the Han Dynasty
Liu Bang was a farmer turned soldier
Started the Han Dynasty that lasted 400 years

14. Han Wudi Ruled from 141 B.C.-87 B.C.
Recruited people for civil service
People were chosen on the basis of competitive tests
Raised the quality of government
Favored the rich-only rich could afford education

15. Education Han created schools
Studied law, history, and ideas of Confucius
Well respected because of education

16. The Empire Expands Population rose to 60 million
Farmers sold land and became tenant farmers
Han Empire took new territory
Conquered Korea, Southeast Asia, northern India
Chinese had peace for 150 years

17. Han Culture Ideas of Confucius gained influence
Filial piety became strong
Stability of government strengthen family ties

18. Chinese Inventions
Cast-iron plow

19. Waterwheels
Millers invented waterwheels to grind grain

20. Wheelbarrow
Wheelbarrow-used to carry heavy material

21. Silk Manufacturing

22. Paper
Paper used for wrapping and writing

23. Toilet Paper
Also invented toilet paper

24. Rudder Rudder and the wind a new way to move the sails of ships
With these inventions, ships could sail against

25. Medical Advances Certain foods prevented disease
Used herbs to treat illnesses

26. Acupuncture
Acupuncture-relieved pain by piercing patients’ skin at vital points with thin needles
Renews the body by increasing flow of energy

27. On the Silk Road
During the Han period, Chinese traders grew rich

28. #2 SILK ROAD - a 4,000 mile trade route that stretched from China to the Fertile Crescent in southwestern Asia (opened up by the Han Dynasty) 28

29. New Contacts with the West
China’s trade increased as a result of exploration
Zhang Qian explored areas west of China
Found horses
Han Wudi wanted horses for soldiers
In exchange for horses, Chinese traded silk

30. Trade expands
Silk road was not one road. It was a network of trade routes
4,000 miles long
Stretched from China to Mediterranean Sea

31. Goods Traded
Horses, silk, spices, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and grains, peaches, pears, cotton, paper etc…

32. Buddhism Reaches China
Silk Road spread knowledge, culture, and religions.
Buddhism spread along Silk Road from India to China

33. Why Did the Han Dynasty Collapse?
Weak and dishonest emperors
Corrupt officials
People began to rise up and rebel against Han rulers
Civil war divided China
Remained divided for 400 years

34. Buddhism Wins Followers
Civil War frightened many Chinese
Many people turned to Buddhist ideas
Followers of Confucius and Daoists admired Buddhist ideas
By A.D. 400s Buddhism became one of China’s major religions