overview of china’s dynasties

Overview of China’s Dynasties

Themes in Chinese History Philosophy played a large part in political rule

and social order China has been a global player for most of its

history Economic and social life has been mirrored in

their culture (art and literature)

Ancient China Where did Chinese

civilization develop? How did the

geography of China affect the people who lived there?

"Middle Kingdom” (Jung Gwa)

Ancient ChinaMandate of Heaven Chinese regarded their ruler as the "Son of Heaven“

What is a "mandate"? Why a mandate from Heaven?

Dynastic Government What is a "dynasty"?

24 dynasties (19 major) (2000 BCE-1912 CE) Emperor with strong central government

What is the “dynastic cycle”?

Dynastic Cycles

Xia (1994 – 1523 BCE) Little recorded history Legend of Yu Technology

Bronze Wheel Domesticated

animals

Shang (1523 – 1028 BCE) Agricultural

society Taxation Bureaucracy Oracle bones

Chinese Language

Zhou (1122 – 256 BCE) Longest dynasty

Throne passed to most qualified

Filial piety Mandate of

Heaven Ends in Warring

States Period

Confucius Lao Zi

Chinese Philospohies Confucianism

Relationships Taoism

Harmony Legalism

Laws Punishments

Qin (221 – 206 BCE) Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi Legalism Central Government Standardization “Burning of books and burying

of scholars”

Great Wall

Han (206 BCE – 220 CE) Stable Government

1. Single Ruler2. Government Officials3. System of Laws4. Confucianism

Han grew quickly to 50 million people

Then collapsed into 3 states

The Silk Road

Chinese Inventions

Chinese Inventions

Sui (581 – 618) Reunified China Grand Canal

Boosted Economy Cultural Diffusion

The Grand Canal

Tang (618 – 907) Junks International

Trade Cultural Golden

Age Shaolin Monks

Song (960 – 1279) Civil Service Exam Highest Standard of

Living Urbanization

Lead to decline in the status of women

Civil Service Exam Every three years Test could last 72 hours Thousands applied, but

only 200 were picked

Foot Binding

Foot Binding

Yuan (1279 – 1368)

Kublai Khan

Ming (1368 – 1644)

Ming Dynasty Zheng He (Jung Ha) Largest armada (navy) Isolationism