The Dynasties of China

Steve BalaskiKathy BoranRenee Crow

Sendjaja Tjajadi

Overview

• Time span of the dynasties– 21st century B.C. thru– 1911 A.D.– Almost 4000 years

• Over 30 different dynasties• We will present 13 of the most important

one.

Xia Dynasty(21st until 16th B.C.)

• First prehistoric dynasty• Excavations made at Anyang, Henan in 1928• Evolutionary stage between:

– Late Neolithic culture • Hunter gatherers• Stone tools

– Chinese civilization• Agricultural communities• Silk and pottery

Shang Dynasty(17st until 11th B.C.)

• Cradle of Chinese civilization– Based on agriculture– Developed a writing system– High level of civilization: bronze

workmanship

• Ruled by kings– Cities were centers of glittering court life – Court rituals honoring ancestors– Slaves buried alive in royal tombs

Zhou Dynasty10th until 2nd century B.C.

• Capital at Hao (near Xi’an) in Wei Valley• Ruled much of China north of Yangtze river• Extended Shang culture• Early rule: Feudal

– Decentralized; control based on family ties• Later: City States

– Central control over local governments – Impersonal political and economic institutions– Culture: philosophy, poetry and prose

Qin (221 until 207 B.C.)

• Achievements:– Standardized language & Writing– Standardized currency– Standardized measurements– Public Works

• Great Wall• Roads & Irrigation canals

• Leader: Shi Huangdi

Western Han (206 B.C.- 9 A.D.)

Eastern Han (25-225 A.D.)

• Achievements:– Silk Road

• Better Tools—Iron– Agriculture

» Crop Rotation

– Education– Paper and Porcelain

Xin (9 - 24 A.D.)

• Brief Interlude

• One Family Member had too much power

• Introduced Imperial Seal

Three Kingdoms (220-280 A.D.)

Western & Eastern Jin (265-315 A.D.)

Southern & Northern

(420-588 A.D.)

Sui Dynasty (581-617)

Reunified China in 589Reunified China in 589

High Taxes and Compulsory LaborHigh Taxes and Compulsory Labor

Completion of the Grand Canal (connect Yellow Completion of the Grand Canal (connect Yellow and Yangtze/ Beijing to Hangzhou)and Yangtze/ Beijing to Hangzhou)

Campaign against Korea in the early 7Campaign against Korea in the early 7thth century century

A lot of revolts and assassinationsA lot of revolts and assassinations

Tang Dynasty (618-907)

High point of Chinese High point of Chinese civilization (comparable to civilization (comparable to Han Dynasty)Han Dynasty)

Golden age of literature and artGolden age of literature and art• India and Middle-East India and Middle-East

relations stimulated relations stimulated creativitycreativity

• Buddhism (from India) was Buddhism (from India) was widely promoted (Confucius widely promoted (Confucius era)era)

• Block printing was inventedBlock printing was invented

Tang Dynasty (618-907) Cont’d

Better government systemBetter government system• Civil service examination and Civil service examination and

other competitive entrance other competitive entrance procedures (why?)procedures (why?)

• Independent from aristocracy Independent from aristocracy and warlords (why? How?)and warlords (why? How?)

• ““Scholar-officials” (who? duty Scholar-officials” (who? duty and privileges?)and privileges?)

Fragmentation of China (5 north Fragmentation of China (5 north dynasties, 10 south kingdoms)dynasties, 10 south kingdoms)

• Economic, politic, societal Economic, politic, societal reasons + Arab warsreasons + Arab wars

• North invadersNorth invaders

Song Dynasty (960-1279)

2 Phases: Northern (960-1127) and 2 Phases: Northern (960-1127) and Southern Song (1127-1279) Southern Song (1127-1279) Centralized bureaucracy (more power on emperor)Centralized bureaucracy (more power on emperor)(regional governors (regional governors centrally appointed officials) centrally appointed officials) City developments (admin., trade, industry, maritime commerce)City developments (admin., trade, industry, maritime commerce)Mercantile classMercantile class• Printing and education spreadPrinting and education spread• Private trade grewPrivate trade grew• Market network grewMarket network grewThe Neo Confucius Philosophy (by Zhu Xi) The Neo Confucius Philosophy (by Zhu Xi) inhibited pre modern societal inhibited pre modern societal

development development

Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368)Mongolian Rule

• Kublai KhanKublai Khan• Established the Yuan Established the Yuan

dynasty (1279-1368dynasty (1279-1368• Moves Capital to BejingMoves Capital to Bejing• Marco Polo visits Marco Polo visits

BejingBejing• Drama and novels are

developed

Ming Dynasty (1368 -1644)

Construction of the Forbidden City

Completion of the Great WallCompletion of the Great Wall

Ocean voyages as far as Africa by Zheng HeOcean voyages as far as Africa by Zheng He

Ch’ing Dynasty (1644 – 1911)

Expansion and Expansion and unificationunification

Opium WarsOpium Wars

Boxer RebellionBoxer Rebellion