1. Warm Up Who was the head of the government in imperial China?
Why did the emperor need help ruling China?
Who were some of the people who helped the emperor rule China?
What is an aristocracy?
Why did the wealthy own most of the land in China?
What is a meritocracy?
BONUS: Why could the poor not take the test to be in government?

2. Warm Up Who was the head of the government in imperial China? (p. 1)
Why did the emperor need help ruling China? (p. 2)
Who were some of the people who helped the emperor rule China? (p. 2)
What is an aristocracy? (p. 3)
Why did the wealthy own most of the land in China? (p. 3)
What is a meritocracy? (p. 4)
BONUS: Why could the poor not take the test to be in government? (p. 4)

3. Imperial China- Government

4. Emperor Supreme Leader Nepotism “Mandate of Heaven”
Passed down to sons
“Mandate of Heaven”
Chosen by God
Natural disasters, seen as signs
Divided into dynasties
Tang Dynasty

5. Forbidden City

7. Social Structure Aristocracy Bureaucracy Social structure
Rule of wealthy
Owned most land
Bureaucracy
Help emperor rule
Social structure
Slaves and merchants at the bottom

8. Meritocracy Confucianism Bureaucrats chosen based on talent
Philosopher
Believed in:
study and service
Respect for elders and “betters”
Bureaucrats chosen based on talent
Civil service exam
Favored the wealthy

9. Mongols Conquerors from the desert Ruled for 100 years Genghis Khan
Took over Asia in the 13th century
Kublai Khan
Ended meritocracy
Overthrown by Ming Dynasty