Qin & Han Dynasties
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202 B.C.E.—220 C.E.
Qin Dynasty laid
foundation for Han
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Standardized but
corrupt!
Dr Jessica Stowell OU Confucius
Institute
Qin & Han unify China
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Establish centralized
empire
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Therefore Imperial
system
Dr Jessica Stowell OU Confucius
Institute
China’s First Imperial dynasty
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The Qin (Chin)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bZX
xGv52t8
Dr Jessica Stowell OU Confucius
Institute
3
Qin Emperor Qin Shih Huangdi
standardizes all possible:
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The Great Wall
Weights & measures
Laws
Money
Thought
Dr Jessica Stowell OU Confucius
Institute
Qin Shi Huang Di had Terra Cotta
Army built for his tomb.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsUE-ZtcUFg&feature=related
Dr Jessica Stowell OU Confucius
Institute
art of the Qin
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Asian Art Museum, San Francisco
http://www.asianart.org/about/press-image-request
Dr Jessica Stowell OU Confucius
Institute
6
Qin (Chin) mistakes
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Burned books
Destroyed major fortifications of the
states
Assassinated powerful leaders & scholars
Collected arms of the empire & melted
arrowheads & spears to make 12 statues
Failed to rule with humanity—lost the
Mandate of Heaven
Dr Jessica Stowell OU Confucius
Institute
Peasant uprisings ended rule of Qin
Dynasty
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Han & Roman Empires were simultaneous
Traded through Silk Road
Map in China portion
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http://data.chinahighlights.com/image/silkroa
d/map/silkroad-map1.jpg
Dr Jessica Stowell OU Confucius
Institute
Han Dynasty: China’s Golden
Age
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS7p
KZJ3zPs
Dr Jessica Stowell OU Confucius
Institute
9
Symbols of Han Dynasty
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Inventions
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Paper
Porcelain
Confucian education system
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University established 124 BCE
Dr Jessica Stowell OU Confucius
Institute
Han Organizing Principles
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Heaven, earth, man form eternal trinity
Economic welfare is basis of popular
morality
Government must provide peace &
prosperity, & education
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Moral education through rites, music &
literature
Dr Jessica Stowell OU Confucius
Institute
Concept of Imperial Power
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Emperor is a moral agent
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Rep. of hierarchical order of mankind
A reflection of the order of the universe
Responsible for keeping mankind in harmony
Does this through moral suasion
 Sets a moral example
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Goodness & virtue given embodiment in rites
& music
Dr Jessica Stowell OU Confucius
Institute
Music
Produced by tones based upon response of human
heart to external things
Music & gov’t directly related
Contentment=broad & slow
Joy=ebullient & free
Music of well run state is peaceful & joyous
Country in confusion full of resentment &
anger=protest music
Dying country=mournful & pensive
Dr Jessica Stowell OU Confucius
Institute
Music comes from within Rites
comes from without
Great music must be easy
Great rites simple
Music induces an end to anger
Rites an end to strife
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Imperial Court Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kk6K_5fx
Zs
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Institute
Han Jade Shroud
King Liang
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15
Bronze Cowrie container
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16
Bronze mirror
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17
Painted pottery vessel
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18
Flying Horse of Gansu
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it represents an ideal horse that can gallop so
fast that it seems to outrun the wind.
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Institute
19
Model House
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earthenware with unfired pigments
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Institute
20
Feng Shui
Chinese art of placement to
establish balance
Geomancy—for grave
placement
Propitious sites are on
south facing slope with
water at the base
Capitalizes on energy of the
earth--qi
Belief that qi can be
directed to benefit man
Dr Jessica Stowell OU Confucius
Institute