The Qin and the Han
Dynasties
Chapter 7.3
Objectives
•
6.35 List the policies and achievements of the emperor Shi Huang and
explain how these contributed to the unification of northern China under the
Qin Dynasty and the construction of the Great Wall of China. (H, P)
•
6.36 Detail the political contributions of the Han Dynasty and determine how
they contributed to the development of the imperial bureaucratic state and
the expansion of the empire. (H, P)
•
6.37 Cite the significance of the trans-Eurasian “silk roads” in the period of
the Han Dynasty and Roman Empire and their locations. (E, G, H)
•
6.38 Describe the diffusion of Buddhism northward to China during the Han
Dynasty
The Qin Emperor
• Qin controlled China from the Huang He to
the Chang Jiang
• Qin Shihuangdi means “the First Qin
Emperor”
How Did Qin Change China?
• Qin wanted to strengthen and unify China
• Ruled with absolute control and
punishment
– Anyone who disagreed was punished and
killed
– Writings that displeased Qin were burned
Qin created currency or money
Writing system
• Simplified and set rules for writing system
Shi Huangdi’s tomb
• In March of 1974, Chinese peasants digging a
well near Xi'an in the central province of Shaanxi
found some unusual pottery fragments. Then,
deeper down at eleven feet, they unearthed a
head made of terra cotta (baked earth or clay).
They notified the authorities and excavation of
the site began immediately. To date, workers
have dug up about eight thousand sculpted clay
soldiers, and the site has proved to be one of the
greatest archaeological discoveries of all time.
Terra Cotta Soldiers
Grand Canal
• Shi Huangdi built a canal that connected
Chang Jiang ito the Guangzhou in
Southern China
Why was the Great Wall Built?
• To keep out invaders
The Great Wall Facts
•
The Great Wall of China was built over about 2000 years by several different Chinese emperors, starting in BC 475, to protect the people
from their enemies, the Huns.
•
Facts about building and the construction of the great wall of china.
•
The Wall is a unique structure that is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. It snakes through the mountains of China for
4,500 miles. That's longer than the distance across from New York to California by about 1,000 miles!
Many small walls were constructed by multiple Chinese emperors. Most of these small walls no longer exist as they were revamped
during the Ming Dynasty, between 1368 and 1644 A.D., while much of the rest of the world was still developing.
The Ming Dynasty's rebuilding made it more elaborate with watchtowers, battlements and cannons. Leading the great wall to additional
protection of the people.
•
The Great Wall is 25 feet tall and 15-30 feet wide. That's wide enough for two cars to drive on!
The facts show many people worked to build the Great Wall of China. Ancient records show that more than 300,000 soldiers and
500,000 commoners worked to build it. That's about the same as the population of San Francisco!
Building the wall was hard work. Some of it was in very hot weather and some in the bitter cold. In the earliest stages, builders rammed
earth and stone into the walls. But in the Ming Dynasty they used bricks, limestone and tiles, as well.
•
•
http://www.airpano.ru/files/China-Great-Wall/2-2
http://www.panoramas.dk/7-wonders/great-wall.html
The End of Qin Rule
• Qin boasted that his dynasty would rule
China forever
• Both aristocrats and farmers revolted
against harsh Qin rule
Han Rulers
• In 202 B.C. Liu Bang founded the Han
Dynasty
– Liu Bang was a farmer turned soldier
– Started the Han Dynasty that lasted 400 years
Han Wudi
• Ruled from 141 B.C.-87 B.C.
• Recruited people for civil
service
– People were chosen on the
basis of competitive tests
– Raised the quality of
government
– Favored the rich-only rich
could afford education
Education
• Han created schools
– Studied law, history, and ideas of Confucius
– Well respected because of education
The Empire Expands
• Population rose to 60 million
• Farmers sold land and became tenant
farmers
• Han Empire took new territory
• Conquered Korea, Southeast Asia,
northern India
• Chinese had peace for 150 years
Han Culture
• Ideas of Confucius gained influence
• Filial piety became strong
• Stability of government strengthen family
ties
Chinese Inventions
• Cast-iron plow
Waterwheels
• Millers invented waterwheels to grind grain
Wheelbarrow
• Wheelbarrow-used to carry heavy material
•
Silk Manufacturing
Paper
• Paper used for wrapping and writing
Toilet Paper
• Also invented toilet paper
Rudder
• Rudder and the wind a new way to move
the sails of ships
– With these inventions, ships could sail against
Medical Advances
• Certain foods prevented disease
• Used herbs to treat illnesses
Acupuncture
• Acupuncture-relieved pain by piercing
patients’ skin at vital points with thin
needles
• Renews the body by increasing flow of
energy
On the Silk Road
• During the Han period, Chinese traders
grew rich
New Contacts with the West
• China’s trade increased as a result of
exploration
– Zhang Qian explored areas west of China
• Found horses
• Han Wudi wanted horses for soldiers
• In exchange for horses, Chinese traded silk
Trade expands
• Silk road was not one road. It was a
network of trade routes
• 4,000 miles long
• Stretched from China to Mediterranean
Sea
Goods Traded
• Horses, silk, spices, fruits, vegetables,
flowers, and grains, peaches, pears,
cotton, paper etc…
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfeeNq-Qyg
Buddhism Reaches China
• Silk Road spread knowledge, culture, and
religions.
• Buddhism spread along Silk Road from
India to China
Why Did the Han Dynasty
Collapse?
• Weak and dishonest emperors
• Corrupt officials
• People began to rise up and rebel against
Han rulers
• Civil war divided China
• Remained divided for 400 years
Buddhism Wins Followers
• Civil War frightened many Chinese
• Many people turned to Buddhist ideas
• Followers of Confucius and Daoists
admired Buddhist ideas
• By A.D. 400s Buddhism became one of
China’s major religions