1. EARLY CHINA, 2000 - 221 BCE “Mandate of Heaven”
The Zhou had to justify their seizure of power (from the Shang)
Came up with the idea of a divine mandate…who can argue with the gods
Ruler was chosen/favored by the supreme deity (Heaven)
Ruler had to remain pious and act justly

2. “Mandate of Heaven” (cont.)
EARLY CHINA, BCE
“Mandate of Heaven” (cont.)
Significance:
If the kingdom is calm and prosperous, then the king must be doing a good job, Heaven is pleased…king should keep his job
If the kingdom is chaotic and in disarray, then the king is doing a lousy job, Heaven is pissed…king should be displaced (Shang kings)

3. QIN & HAN CHINA, 221 BCE – 220 CE Qin Dynasty (221 – 206 B.C.E.)
Harshly strict creators of the first Chinese empire
Relied on the notion of legalism to justify creation:
Will of the ruler was supreme, subjects were supposed to be obedient

4. QIN & HAN CHINA, 221 BCE – 220 CE Qin Dynasty (cont.)
First group to be controlled were the landowning aristocracy (wealthy):
Sold off massive tracts of land
Freed slaves
Got rid of primogeniture (inheritance by oldest son)
Created a class of small landholders who were a tool of the Qin
Qin Dynasty (cont.)

5. QIN & HAN CHINA, 221 BCE – 220 CE Qin Dynasty (cont.)
Standardized practices unify population:
Standardized weights, measures, coinage, law code, system of writing, axle length (ruts on road are one size)
Population has more interactions:
Built road and canal systems for economic and defense purposes

6. QIN & HAN CHINA, 221 BCE – 220 CE Qin Dynasty (cont.)
Began construction on the Great Wall – protection from nomadic invaders
Key significance is the creation of common cultural experiences, which are adopted by Han and solidified into a “Chinese” ancestry.

7. QIN & HAN CHINA, 221 BCE – 220 CE Han Dynasty (206 B.C.E. – 220 C.E.)
Han also believed in the notion of Mandate of Heaven
Divine order, stemming from ancestor worship, but had to act in good faith…

8. QIN & HAN CHINA, 221 BCE – 220 CE Han Dynasty (cont.)
Reaction to the suffocating legalism that the Qin had imposed on the Chinese people prior to the Han taking control.
Han attempted to demonstrate the benevolence of government and the appropriateness of ritual for a hierarchal society.
Received much better than the legalism of the Qin.

9. QIN & HAN CHINA, 221 BCE – 220 CE Han Dynasty (cont.)
Consolidate the provinces, military expansions, set up garrisons along Silk Road, set up bureaucracy to administer the empire.

10. QIN & HAN CHINA, 221 BCE – 220 CE Han Dynasty (cont.)
Political Hierarchy:
Emperor – divinity on earth
Central government
Prime Minister
Civil Service director
Department ministers
Local Officials & Bureaucrats
Comprised of Gentry members-moderate land owners, educated, expertise in their field(s).

11. QIN & HAN CHINA, 221 BCE – 220 CE Han Dynasty (cont.)
Members of each level of society was expected to do their part, contribute to the group effort; much like members of a family.
Adaptation of Confucianism