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World History. Chapter Three Section Five. China. Zheng - First emperor “Shi Huangdi” and founder of the Qin Dynasty Overthrew feudal lords and the Zhou empire
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World History Chapter Three Section Five
China • Zheng - First emperor “Shi Huangdi” and founder of the Qin Dynasty • Overthrew feudal lords and the Zhou empire • Brutal ruler but laid the groundwork for China’s classical age in which advances in government, philosophy, religion, and science occurred
Unified China • Zheng was determined to unite China and spent twenty years defeating all who opposed him • Centralized power of Empire • Used Legalist advisors who were taught from the teachings of Hanfeizi – “the nature of man is evil. His goodness is acquired” • Greed is the motive for most conflicts • Only way to have order was to have strict laws and harsh punishments
Legalists • The ruler alone possess power, wielding it like lightning or thunder. • Many feudal lords saw this as the best way to keep order • Established legalism as the official policy of the Qin empire • He tortured, killed, and enslaved opposition • Feudal nobles and Confucian scholars were hit the hardest
Legalism • Burned books to destroy all other writings other than agriculture and medicine • Because of this later generations hated Legalism for what it did • Abolished feudalism – replaced them with 36 military states with loyal men appointed leaders • Gave land of nobles to peasants • Peasants had to pay high taxes to pay for new government • Standardized weights, uniform money, uniform writing
Great Wall • Constructed in the Qin dynasty • Joined individual walls that were built to keep out of invaders • Hundreds of thousands of workers • Twenty-five feet high and road on top • Rebuilt over the centuries until it reached for thousands of miles – did not keep out invaders – did show how able China was • Great Wall became symbol to Chinese
Collapse of Qin • Shi Huangdi (Zheng) – died in 210 B.C. • Anger over heavy taxes, forced labor, cruel policies resulted in revolts • Officially collapsed in 206 B.C. when Gao Zu defeated armies and created the Han dynasty
Han Dynasty • Gao Zu – restored order and justice • Lowered taxes and eased Legalist policies • Appointed Confucian scholars as advisors • Dynasty lasted for a little over four-hundred years
Han Dynasty • Wudi – most famous Han emperor • Strengthened the government and economy • Chose Confucian scholars as officials • Set up a university at Xian • Improved canals and roads • Created a government monopoly on salt and iron • Monopoly – complete control of a product or business by a group or person
Han • The sale of salt and iron gave government more income, instead of just taxing the peasants • Wudi was an expansionist – expanded countries territory • Fought many battles to expand borders and drove nomads beyond Great Wall
Silk Road • Network of trade routes – known as the Silk Road • Linked China and the West for centuries • Stretched for 4,000 miles, connecting China to the Fertile Crescent • Trade controlled by other people who controlled the area, including the Persians
Civil Servants • Han emperors used the idea of civil servants or officials in the government • Believed that officials should win their job by merit, not by family connections • Start out in clerical job, then move up once he proved himself • Civil service put men of Confucius teaching into positions until 1912
Han Overthrown • Emperors could not control local warlords • Let canals and roads fall into disrepair • Burdened people with heavy taxes • Peasants revolted because of this • Fled villages and joined bandit groups such as “Red Eyebrows” and the “Green Woodsmen” • Warlords overthrew Han in 220 A.D.
Achievements of Han • Scientists wrote books on chemistry, zoology, botany • Astronomers mapped stars, which let them have a more accurate calendar and better time keeping devices • Invented a seismograph for earthquakes • Doctors diagnosed diseases, anesthetics, acupuncture – needles inserted to relieve pain
Technology • Han China was the most advanced civilization in its time • Paper out of wood pulp • Invented a rudder for a ship to steer • Bronze and iron stirrups, fishing reels, wheelbarrows, suspension bridges
Arts • Cities had temples and palaces • Wooden buildings have long since gone but they have been described by historians and poets of the Han • Artisans produced jade and ivory carvings, as well as ceramic figures • Bronze and silk workers perfected their crafts and created high standards for future generations • Lessons for Women – by Ban Zhao – spells out proper behavior for women and men. • Equal education for boys and girls but girls should be obedient, respectful and submissive