MR. DUNN’S WORLD HISTORY CLASS
CH 16 NOTES AND OUTLINE
UNIT 4: IMPERIAL CHINA
2/16/2016
Chapter 16: The Political
Development of Imperial China
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MR. DUNN’S WORLD HISTORY CLASS
CH 16 NOTES AND OUTLINE
2/16/2016
China’s Imperial Dynasties
Dynasty
Time Period
Known For
Qin dynasty
221-206
B.C.E.
unification of China under an
emperor
Han dynasty
206 B.C.E 220 C.E.
a golden age for a united China
Six dynasties
220— 581
C.E.
a period of chaos and division
Sui dynasty
589—618
C.E.
reunification of China
618—907
Tang dynasty
C.E.
economic development and
growth; many inventions and
discoveries
5 dynasties in
the north
10 kingdoms
in the south
a period of chaos and division
907—960
C.E.
907— 970
C.E.
960—1279
Song dynasty
C.E.
economic development and
growth; many inventions and
discoveries
Yuan dynasty 1279—1368
(the Mongols) C.E.
control of China by foreigners
Ming dynasty
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1368—1644
C.E.
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opening up of China to foreign
influences at the start of the
dynasty, closing down of China
by the end of the dynasty
MR. DUNN’S WORLD HISTORY CLASS
CH 16 NOTES AND OUTLINE
2/16/2016
Graphic Organizer page 179
1. This lesson teaches about the government of China from
220 to 1644 C.E. and how the emperor chose officials to
help him rule.
a. Read Section 16.1.
b. Why do you think it was difficult to unite China into a
single nation?
2. One method of appointing government officials in China was to
choose the best scholars in the land. Such scholars were
identified through examinations. In this lesson, students will
debate whether this and other methods were appropriate ways for
emperors to choose government officials.
Throughout Chinese history, emperors have appointed different
types of people to help them govern. They have chosen wealthy
members of society, called aristocrats; they have selected
scholars; and they have appointed foreigners. In this activity, you
will each be assigned a role and will debate the advantages and
disadvantages of appointing various types of people as
government officials.
Reading for Understanding
Tell students that throughout Chinese history, all three methods
have been used to select government officials. In the remaining
reading, they will learn about the examination that scholars had to
take to become government officials. They will also learn about the
historical periods when other methods were used to choose people
to help govern China.
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MR. DUNN’S WORLD HISTORY CLASS
CH 16 NOTES AND OUTLINE
2/16/2016
Roles of Officials in Imperial China
Emperor
Background Information: Heaven chose you to rule China. Because of the empire’s
size, you need government officials throughout the land to help maintain control and
carry out your laws. You must decide which of three groups—the Foreigners, the
wealthy (called Aristocrats), or the Scholars—to appoint as government officials.
Chancellor
Background Information: Because of the enormous size of the Chinese
empire, the Emperor needs officials to carry out his orders. The Emperor
has chosen you to help determine which group—the Foreigners, the
wealthy (called Aristocrats), or the Scholars—he will appoint as these
government officials.
Aristocrat
Background Information: You are an Aristocrat, a member of an
influential, wealthy family that owns large amounts of land. The Emperor
must decide which group—Foreigners, Aristocrats, or Scholars—he will
appoint to help him govern. You must try to convince one of the Emperor’s
Chancellors that the Aristocrats are the best choice to be government
officials.
Foreigner
Background Information: You are a Foreigner who has come to live in
China. You have much knowledge in such areas as mathematics and
science. The Emperor must decide which group—Foreigners, the wealthy
(called Aristocrats), or Scholars—he will appoint to help him govern. You
must try to convince one of the Emperor’s Chancellors that the Foreigners
are the best choice to be government officials.
Scholar
Background Information: You are a Scholar who has studied history,
philosophy, and poetry for many years. The Emperor must decide which
group—Foreigners, the wealthy (called Aristocrats), or Scholars—he will
appoint to help him govern. You must try to convince one of the Emperor’s
Chancellors that the Scholars are the best choice to be government
officials.
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MR. DUNN’S WORLD HISTORY CLASS
CH 16 NOTES AND OUTLINE
2/16/2016
GUIDE TO READING NOTES 16
16.2 The Government of Imperial China
1. According to the Mandate of Heaven, when can people
overthrow the emperor?
People can overthrow an emperor when
he rules badly.
2. What is a bureaucracy? What happened when the bureaucracy
in China became corrupt?
A bureaucracy is an organized group of
government officials. When the
bureaucracy became corrupt, people
suffered from high taxes, forced labor,
and attacks by bandits.
3. What happened to China when the Han dynasty lost the
Mandate of Heaven? Who reunited China?
When the Han dynasty fell, China broke
into separate kingdoms. It was reunited
by the Sui dynasty.
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MR. DUNN’S WORLD HISTORY CLASS
CH 16 NOTES AND OUTLINE
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16.3 Aristocracy: The Tang Dynasty
1. Who were scholar-officials?
Scholar-officials were scholars who got
government jobs through examinations.
2. What was the examination for scholar-officials primarily based
on?
The examination was primarily based on
the teachings of Confucius.
3. Why did aristocrats continue to hold most offices?
Only the wealthy could afford the tutors,
books, and time to study needed to
prepare for the exams.
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MR. DUNN’S WORLD HISTORY CLASS
CH 16 NOTES AND OUTLINE
2/16/2016
16.4 Meritocracy: The Song Dynasty
1. According to emperors and scholars, knowledge of Confucius
would produce what type of government official?
Government officials who had studied
Confucius would be rational, moral, and
able to maintain order.
2. What new group of people was allowed to become government
officials during the Song period?
People from lower classes were allowed
to become government officials.
3. Why did people want government jobs?
People wanted these jobs because
government officials were respected and
were excused from taxes and military
service.
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MR. DUNN’S WORLD HISTORY CLASS
CH 16 NOTES AND OUTLINE
2/16/2016
16.5 Government by Foreigners: Period of Mongol Rule
1. Whom did Kublai Khan choose to fill important government
positions?
He appointed relatives, other Mongols,
and trusted foreigners.
2. What happened to Chinese scholars during the Mongol rule?
Chinese scholars worked only as teachers
and minor government officials.
16.6 The Revival of the Civil Service System
1. How did hiring scholars help China?
Hiring scholars emphasized moral behavior,
justice, kindness, loyalty to the emperor, proper
conduct, and the importance of family. It
insured that officials were trained and talented,
and it allowed the ambitious and hard working
from all classes the chance to succeed.
2. How did hiring scholars hurt China?
People who knew science, mathematics, or
engineering were kept out of government.
Because Confucian scholars had little respect
for merchants, trade and business were not
encouraged.
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