The Zhou and the Qin Dynasties

In this lesson, students will be able to identify characteristics of the Zhou and

Qin dynasties.

Students will be able to identify and/or define the following terms:

The Mandate of Heaven

Confucianism

Daoism

A Strong Central Government V.O

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V.O

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The first known dynasty of China was the Shang dynasty. This dynasty united the people living around the Huang He and Yangtze river valleys.

The Zhou Dynasty

• Around 1027 B.C., the Zhou conquered the Shang. The Zhou dynasty lasted longer than any other Chinese dynasty.

• Zhou rulers claimed the right to rule or the Mandate of Heaven.

V.O

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Mandate of Heaven • The Mandate of Heaven was the Chinese belief that the gods picked the emperor to rule but the gods could also remove a bad emperor from power.

• The ruler kept the Mandate of Heaven for as long as he ruled effectively.

V.O

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V.O

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Zhou rulers claimed

theMandate of

Heaven or theright to rule.

However, thegods could

remove the ruler’s

right to rule.

Philosophers during Zhou China

• During the Zhou dynasty, two important Chinese philosophies developed.

• Confucianism and Daoism were two significant philosophies developed during the Zhou dynasty.

• Both philosophies stressed the importance of harmony as Zhou China experienced increased warfare. V

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V.O

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Confucius was animportant Chinese

philosopher.He stressed the

importance of orderto achieve harmony.Confucius believedthat if people knewand did what theyshould do, thenharmony would

occur.

The Qin Dynasty• In 221 B.C., the Qin dynasty emerged.

• The Qin dynasty established a strong central government or a strong government that controlled all of China’s local rulers.

• The Qin ruler was the first Chinese ruler to call himself emperor.

V.O

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Centralization• Shi Huang-Ti was a harsh

but strong ruler.• He introduced a uniform

system of writing.• He ordered the execution of

people who disagreed with him.

• The Chinese were forced to obey his rules. V

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V.O

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During Qin China,the Chinese beganbuilding the GreatWall of China.The Great Wall ofChina was built toprotect China fromnomadic invaders.

Questions for Reflection:• Define the Mandate of Heaven.

• How did the Chinese explain the rise of a new dynasty?

• How did Confucianism differ from Daoism?

• Who was Shi Huang-Ti?

• Why did the Chinese build the Great Wall of China?

• What are characteristics of a strong central government? V

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The Han Dynasty In this lesson, students will be able identify significant characteristics of the Han dynasty.

Students will be able to identify and/or define the following terms:

The Han Dynasty

Civil Service Examination

Silk Road

Cultural Diffusion V.O

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The Han Dynasty

•The Han dynasty unified China for over four hundred years.

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V.O

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Han emperors expanded China’s borders

and increased trade.

V.O

liverThe Silk Road was a famous Chinese

trading route.

Cultural Diffusion

• Cultural diffusion is the exchange of cultural ideas and/or objects.

• The Silk Road encouraged cultural diffusion.

• Chinese ideas and objects were introduced to other cultures.

V.O

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Overland Trade• During the Han dynasty, merchants established overland trade routes to other centers of civilization.

• The Silk Road went through Central Asia to the Middle East.

• The Silk Road was a famous Chinese trading route. V

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Civil Service Examination

•During the Han dynasty, a civil service examination based on Confucianism was established.

V.O

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V.O

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To work for thegovernment, a

Chinese man hadto pass a difficultexamination. Byestablishing a civil service

examination, education wasemphasized.

V.O

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Chinese contactwith India led tothe introductionof Buddhism in

China.

Questions for Reflection:• Why is the Han dynasty frequently compared to the

Roman Empire?

• Why did Han emperors establish a civil service examination?

• What philosophy became the official philosophy of China during the Han dynasty?

• Why did the Silk Road increase cultural diffusion?

V.O

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