1

Dynasties of Ancient China

World History

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Geography

Geographically isolated to some extent. Huang He (Yellow River) and Chiang

jiang (Yangtze) rivers flood quite often.

3

Xia Dynasty (Approx. 4000 yrs ago)

Ruler: Yu Irrigation and

drained floodwaters Beginning of

Chinese civilization No written records –

existence is by legend

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Shang Dynasty (1750-1122B.C.)

Ruler: Wu Ding Developments:

impressive cities & mastery with the art of bronze casting

Farming society ruled by a king and an aristocracy

Capital was Anyang Warlords governed

territories Ancestor worship

developed

5

Zhou Dynasty (1122-256 B.C.)(era of warring states)

Developments: longest lived dynasty (800+ years); claimed the Mandate of Heaven

Emperors called themselves “Sons of Heaven”

Linguistic unity – Mandarin was standardized

Daoism & Confucianism - related to politics

Trade expanded to distant regions

Set up an agricultural system (nobles & peasants) A.K.A. feudalism

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Zhou Dynasty (1122-256 B.C.)(era of warring states)

Expanded Chinese territory to Yangtze River Valley (wheat & rice growing areas added)

Increased food production and use of iron

Concept of the family grows in importance

Chopsticks Use cavalry & crossbow Took steps to centralize

government, but local leaders ignored central government

Mandarin is standardized as language

7

Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.)

Ruler: Qin Shi Huangdi (1st Emperor) – brutal ruler

Qin name applied to country’s name

Unified the Chinese world Legalism – favored

government force; viewed human nature as evil

A highly centralized government

Standardized coinage, weights, and measures

Irrigation

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Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.)

Uniform writing system, & a law code

Tomb at Xian (Chang’an) built Manufacture of silk cloth is

encouraged Nucleus of the Great Wall is

constructed Burned books and attacked

culture National census, tax, and labor

service Downfall: high taxes, attacks on

intellectuals, killed men, brutal punishments, & revolts after Qin’s death

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10

Han Dynasty (202 B.C. – 221 A.D.) Rulers: Han Gaozu &

Wudi/Wu Ti Kept centralized power, but

reduced repression Developments: textiles &

sailing technology Rapid population growth

(20–60 million) Government bureaucracy

grew Empire expanded into

Central Asia, Korea, and Indo-China

Silk Road expanded – trade to India, Mediterranean, and Middle East (luxury goods)

Abandoned Legalism

11

Han Dynasty (202 B.C. – 221 A.D.)

Strengthening of patriarchal society – father had unquestioned power

Led to Pax Sinica (period of peace)

Iron production increased Government sponsored canals

and irrigation systems Stratification: (top) elite class,

peasants and laborers, and (bottom) unskilled labor

Paper, wheelbarrows, & gunpowder invented

Water powered mills, ox-drawn plows w/a non-choking collar

Downfall: invasions by Huns; expansion led to weak administration and overspending

12

Civil Service

Corruption in govt. led to its establishment

Candidates for govt. positions took long, difficult written exams

Those with the highest scores were appointed

130,000 bureaucrats in the Chinese government

Actually favored the wealthy (Why?)

Jinshi Three levels of exams