Qin and Han Dynasties

Bell Ringer: Name three things you remember about the Shang

and Zhou Dynasties.

Qin Dynasty• Came to power in

221 B.C.• Led by Cheng (later

known as Shih Huang Ti)

• Lasted 15 years• Gave China it’s

name• Capital near Ch’ang-

an now Xi’an

Memories of Qin

• Maintained an Autocracy– Meaning the emperor

held total power.• Guarded against

invaders by building protective walls.

• Walls were eventually connected to form the Great Wall

The Great Wall of China• 1,500 Miles long.• Most is still standing

today• Built by forced labor• Many lives were lost

in the building of the Wall.

• High number of lives lost lead to discontent among the people.

Out with Qin in with Han• 206 B.C. a rebel army

revolted against the dynasty.

• Liu Bang, commoner who was a Qin general overthrew the Qin.

• Bang founded his own dynasty: The Han

The Han Dynasty• Ruled China for 400

years, moderate rulers.• Holds much influence

over China’s development Longest Ruler Liu Ch’e: Ruled from 140 B.C. to 87 B.C.

• Extended Han rule north south and west: making the Han a larger region than the Roman Empire.

Civil Service• Established a

centralized Civil Service system to govern China.

• Ran the day to day operations of China.

• Implemented Examinations for civil service and placement.

Accomplishments of the Han• Economic Policy of

Leveling: Government used price controls to balance economic effects of farm surpluses and shortages.

• Trade Prospered on the Silk Road: a trade route that stretched from China to the Mediterranean.

Homework

• Complete the reading checks on pages 86-88.

• Section Review (page 88) Question 4• Due on Wednesday, November 19.