imperial china: qin to ming dynasties

Qin [Ch’in] Dynasty, 221-206 B.C.E.

Qin [Ch’in] Dynasty, 221-206 B.C.E.

Established China’s first empire Shi Huangdi (221-206 B.C.E) Legalist rule

Bureaucratic administration Centralized control Military expansion Book burnings targeted

Confucianists Buried protestors alive!

Built large section of the Great Wall

Shi Huangdi’s Terra Cotta Army

Shi Huangdi’s Terra Cotta Army

Shi Huangdi’s Terra Cotta Army

Shi Huangdi’s Terra Cotta Army

Shi Huangdi’s Terra Cotta Soldiers

& Cavalrymen

Shi Huangdi’s Terra Cotta Soldiers

& Cavalrymen

CavalryCavalry

Individual SoldiersIndividual Soldiers

The Details of an Individual SoldierThe Details of an Individual Soldier

Individual “Tombs”Individual “Tombs”

The Great Wall with Towers

The Great Wall with Towers

The Eastern terminus of the Great Wall, Shanhai Pass

The Eastern terminus of the Great Wall, Shanhai Pass

Han Dynasty, 206 B.C.E.-220 C.E.

Han Dynasty, 206 B.C.E.-220 C.E.

“People of the Han” original Chinese Paper invented [105 B.C.E.]

Silk Road trade develops; improves life for many

Buddhism introduced into China Expanded into Central Asia

Han – Roman Empire ConnectionHan – Roman Empire Connection

Chang’an

The Han Capital

Chang’an

The Han Capital

Liu Sheng Tomb (d. 113 BCE)Liu Sheng Tomb (d. 113 BCE)

His jade suit has 2498 pieces!

Emperor Wudi, 141-87 B.C.E.

Emperor Wudi, 141-87 B.C.E.

Started public schools.

Colonized Manchuria, Korea, & Vietnam.

Civil service system bureaucrats Confucian scholar-gentry

Revival of Chinese landscape painting.

Han ArtifactsHan Artifacts

Imperial Imperial SealSeal

Han Ceramic Han Ceramic HouseHouse

Ceramics, Later Han Period

Ceramics, Later Han Period

Trade Routes of the Ancient World

Trade Routes of the Ancient World

Multi-Cultural Faces -- People Along the Silk

Road

Multi-Cultural Faces -- People Along the Silk

Road

Ruins of Jiaohe, Turphan depression.

Han dynasty outpost in Central Asia

Ruins of Jiaohe, Turphan depression.

Han dynasty outpost in Central Asia

Sui Dynasty, 581-618 C.E.Sui Dynasty, 581-618 C.E.

“Land Equalization” System land redistribution.

Unified coinage. Grand Canal constructed. Established an army of professional

soldiers. People were overworked and overtaxed!

The Grand CanalThe Grand Canal

The Grand Canal TodayThe Grand Canal Today

Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E.

Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E.

Imperial examination system perfected.

Liberal attitude towards all religions. Spread of Buddhism in China

Golden Age of foreign relations with other countries.

Japan, Korea, Persia

Tang Government Organization

Tang Government Organization

Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E.

Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E.

New technologies: Printing moveable print Porcelain Gunpowder Mechanical clocks

More cosmopolitan culture.

Reestablished the safety of the Silk Road.

Tea comes into China from Southeast Asia.

Empress Wu Zetian, 624-705

Empress Wu Zetian, 624-705

The only female Empress in China’s history who ruled alone.

Searched for outstanding individuals to attract to her court.

Construction of new irrigation systems.

Buddhism was the favored statereligion.

Financed the building of many Buddhist temples.

BUT… She appointed cruel and sadistic ministers to seek out her enemies.

Foot-Binding in Tang China

Foot-Binding in Tang China

Broken toes by 3 years of age.

Size 5 ½ shoe on the right

Foot-Binding in Tang China

Foot-Binding in Tang China

Mothers bound their daughters’ feet.

Foot-Binding in Tang China

Foot-Binding in Tang China

For upper-class girls, it became a new custom.

The Results of Foot-Binding

The Results of Foot-Binding

Song [Sung] Dynasty, 960-1279

C.E.

Song [Sung] Dynasty, 960-1279

C.E. Creation of an urban, merchant, middle class.

Increased emphasis on education & cheaper availability of printed books.

Magnetic compass makes China a great sea power!

Song Peasant FamilySong Peasant Family

Rice Cultivation Began Under the Song

Rice Cultivation Began Under the Song

Song Rice CultivationSong Rice Cultivation

Mongolian SteppesMongolian Steppes

Xinjiang Region – Typical Uygher [Mongol] “Yurt”Xinjiang Region – Typical Uygher [Mongol] “Yurt”

Mongol InvasionsMongol Invasions

Mongol WarriorsMongol Warriors

Mongol ArcherMongol Archer

Gold Saddle Arch – Mongols, 13c

Gold Saddle Arch – Mongols, 13c

Gold Saddle, Front View – Mongols, 13cGold Saddle, Front

View – Mongols, 13c

The MONGOLS [“Golden Horde”]

The MONGOLS [“Golden Horde”]

Temujin --> Genghis Khan [“Universal Ruler”] 1162 - 1227 from the steppe [dry, grass-covered

plains of Central Asia]

The MONGOLS [“Golden Horde”]

The MONGOLS [“Golden Horde”]

Genghis Khan’s Tax Laws: If you do not pay homage,

we will take your prosperity. If you do not have prosperity,

we will take your children. If you do not have children,

we will take your wife. If you do not have a wife,

we will take your head. Used cruelty as a weapon some areas

never recovered from Mongol destruction!

Mongol Nobleman, late 13c

Mongol Nobleman, late 13c

Robe of a Mongol Nobleman, early

14c

Robe of a Mongol Nobleman, early

14c

Yuan Golden Bowl, 13c

Yuan Golden Bowl, 13c

The Extent of the Mongol EmpireThe Extent of the Mongol Empire

Yuan (Mongol) Dynasty, 1279-1368

C.E.

Yuan (Mongol) Dynasty, 1279-1368

C.E. Kublai Khan [r. 1260-1294]

Pax Mongolica [“Mongol Peace”] Tolerated Chinese culture

but lived apart from them. No Chinese in top govt. posts. Believed foreigner were more

trustworthy. Encouraged foreign trade &

foreign merchants to live and work in China. Marco Polo

Marco Polo (1254-1324)

Marco Polo (1254-1324)

A Venetian merchant.

Traveled through YuanChina: 1271-1295 “Black Stones” [coal]

Gunpowder.

Noodles.

Marco Polo’s Travels

Marco Polo’s Travels

Yuan Porcelains & Ceramics

Yuan Porcelains & Ceramics

Yuan Dynasty, 1279-1368 C.E.Yuan Dynasty, 1279-1368 C.E.

The Black Plague was spread by the Mongols in the mid-14c.

Sent fleets against Japan. 1281 150,000 warriors Defeated by kamikazi [“winds of the

gods”]

Kublai Khan experienced several humiliating defeats in Southeast Asia late in his life.

China’s last native imperial dynasty!

The Forbidden City: China’s New CapitalThe Forbidden City: China’s New Capital

Revived the Civil Service ExamRevived the Civil Service Exam

Ming Cultural RevolutionMing Cultural Revolution

Printing & Literacy Cheap, popular

books: woodblock printing. cheap paper.

Examination system. Leads to explosion in

literacy. Leads to further

popularization of the commercial market.

Culture & Art Increased literacy

leads to increased interest in cultural expressions, ideas, and things:

Literature. Painting. Ceramics. Opera.

Ming Silver MarketMing Silver Market

Spanish Silver Convoys Triangle route:

Philippines to China to Japan. Silver floods Chinese Market:

Causes devaluation of currency & recession Adds to reasons for Chinese immigration

overseas. Reduces price of Chinese goods in Europe Increases interest in Chinese culture &

ideas in Europe.

Helps fund conquest of New World Encourages Europeans in conquest & trade.

Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644 C.E.Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644 C.E.

Golden Age of Chinese ArtModerationSoftnessGracefulness

Three different schools ofpainting developed.

Hundreds of thousands ofworkers constructed theForbidden City.

Ming Emperor Tai Zu (r. 1368-1398)

Ming Emperor Tai Zu (r. 1368-1398)

The Tribute SystemThe Tribute System

Admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho)

Admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho)

Ming “Treasure Fleet” Each ship 400’ long & 160’

wide

1371-1435

Admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho)

Admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho)

China’s “Columbus?”

Admiral Zheng He’s VoyagesAdmiral Zheng He’s Voyages

First Voyage: 1405-1407 [62 ships; 27,800 men]. Second Voyage: 1407-1409 [Ho didn’t go on this

trip]. Third Voyage: 1409-1411 [48 ships; 30,000 men]. Fourth Voyage: 1413-1415 [63 ships; 28,500 men]. Fifth Voyage: 1417-1419 Sixth Voyage: 1421-1422

Emperor Zhu Gaozhi cancelled future trips and ordered ship builders and sailors to stop work.

Seventh Voyage: 1431-1433 Emperor Zhu Zhanji resumed the voyages in 1430 to

restore peaceful relations with Malacca & Siam 100 ships and 27,500 men; Cheng Ho died on the return

trip.

1498 --> Da Gama reached Calcutta, China’s favorite port.

Ming Porcelain / Ceramics, 17c–18cMing Porcelain /

Ceramics, 17c–18c

Ming Vases, 18cMing Vases, 18c

Ming Carved Lacquer Dish 15c

Ming Carved Lacquer Dish 15c

Ming Scroll Painting“Travellers in Autumn

Mountains”

Ming Scroll Painting“Travellers in Autumn

Mountains”

Ming Painting – “Taoist Scholar”Ming Painting – “Taoist Scholar”

Ming Painting – “Birds and

Flowers”, 16c

Ming Painting – “Birds and

Flowers”, 16c

Ming Painting and Calligraphy, early

16c

Ming Painting and Calligraphy, early

16c

Imperial China’s Impact on HistoryImperial China’s

Impact on History Removed religion from morality.

Beginnings of political philosophy through which a ruler must prove he/she is legitimate.

Mandate of Heaven

Secular law.

Valued history The Dynastic Cycle