China8000 BCE – 600 CE

Politics

• Dynasties with emperors

• Mandate of Heaven– Rulers have a responsibility to rule with

compassion– Respect of superiors

• Start of bureaucracy

Empire

• Qin Dynasty (221-207 BCE)– Shi Huangdi

• Western (early) Han (206 BCE- 9 CE)– Wudi

• Wang Mang (9-23 CE)• Eastern (later) Han (25-220 CE)

– Problems with land distribution, Yellow Turbans uprising

• Collapse of empires in China from internal problems – economic depression, natural catastrophy, social unrest

The Han Dynasty

Wu Ti (Wudi)• Expanded the empire• Strengthened the

bureaucracy through civil service exams

• Promoted Confucianism

• Repaired dykes, built 80 mile canal

Period of Disunion 220-581

General Cao Cao on the eve of a battle he would loose

Leading General in the final years of the Han Dynasty

Bird overhead signifies bad omens

Sui Dynasty 581-618

Wendi- 1st Emperor of Sui

Period of great economic prosperity

Buddhism was the central philosophy

Economy

• Lots of money flowing in from Silk Roads • Primarily Agricultural

Global Trade

Han Dynasty

• roads constructed

• Silk Road trading increased

• Iron Age; modernized army (iron weapons, etc.)

Social: Class/Gender

• Patriarchal Confucian principles • Women only power in court • Scholars/officials military artisans• Few live in cities

Religion

• Polytheism• Ancestor worship • Confucianism• Legalism • Daoism• Spread of Buddhism from India ..\..\..\Videos\APWH\Unit1\The_Traditional_Religions_of_China.mov

Science/Inventions

• Iron Age

• Modernized army

• Paper, accurate sundials/calendars, agriculture improvements (plow)

Art/Architecture

• Brush painting • Palaces• Sculptures

..\..\..\Videos\APWH\Unit1\Ancient_Chinese_Beliefs.mov

Why do you think China was able to accept two belief systems, Confucianism and Daoism?

Write your hypothesis on your paper.