Imperial China Qin-Han (221 BCE-220 CE)

1. Imperial ChinaQin-Han(221 BCE-220 CE) Chapter 5AP World History

2. The Origins of Imperial China • Between 480 – 221 BCE, China consisted of many small rival states with different languages and cultures whose frequent hostilities gave rise to the label “Warring States Period”

3. Qin – China’s First Empire • In 221 BCE, one of these warring states, the Qin, rapidly conquered its rivals one by one and created China’s first empire. • The Qin ruler, took the title Shi Huangdi, meaning “First Emperor”

4. Qin Dynasty (221-207 BCE) • Shi Huangdi was ruthless and determined to eliminate rival centers of authority. • Its first target was landowning aristocracy and required all estates to be broken up. • They all freed the slaves working on these estates to create free tax-paying peasants who would also serve in the army.

5. Qin - Political Structure • The Qin government publicly burned piles of books to symbolize the end of the past. • The new regime also cracked down on Confucianism (because it was against violence and absolute authority) and instead pursued Legalism.

6. Qin Influence • They imposed standard weight, measures, money, and imposed a universal law code and common system of writing. • The Qin also built great canals and 1000s of miles of roads that compared to the great roads in Rome.

7. Qin – The Fall • Shi Huangdi suddenly died in 210 BCE and the financially stressed peasants rebelled, bringing an end to the Qin dynasty.

8. The Han • Liu Bang rose to the top and established a new dynasty, the Han (206 BCE-220 CE). • 1st step in the dynastic cycle…? • New emperor Bang promised to reject the oppression and mistakes of the Qin and restore the ideals of the past.

9. Han Empire

10. Han – Political Structure • However, to sustain such a large empire, the Han kept much of the Qin structure and ideals, including Legalism. • The Han eventually found a way to combine Legalism and Confucianism. • This new system “emphasized the government’s benevolence and the appropriateness of particular rituals and behaviors in a manifestly hierarchical society.”

11. Han – Political Structure • Like the Zhou, the Han emperor was the “Son of Heaven” who was chosen to rule in accordance with the Mandate of Heaven. He was regarded as divinity and his word was law.

12. The Gentry • Like the Romans, the Han depended on local officials for day to day administration (collecting taxes) in their huge empire. • As part of their strategy to weaken the landowning aristocrats and exclude them from political posts, the Qin and Han emperors allied themselves with the gentry, the next in wealth below the aristocrats. • Pros and Cons?

13. Increase of Daoism • Daoism began to take deeper root during the Han dynasty. • What is Daoism? • People began to reject the structure of Legalism and Confucianism and the hierarchy of the elite classes

14. Technology and Trade • Blacksmiths began to master the technique of making steel which produced considerably stronger weapons. • Crossbow • Waterpower • Paper • New horse collar • Roads • Silk (secret, monopoly)

15. Silk Road

16. Decline of the Han • The Han Empire had many borders to defend. • The biggest threat was nomadic people living outside these borders who the Han believed were barbaric. • The Han funded cavalry forces to defend the borders from nomads. • This defense of the borders weakened their finances.

17. Despite the efforts of the Qin and Han to weaken the power and wealth of the landowning aristocrats and turn the land into free peasantry, nobles again controlled huge tracts of land and formed alliances. • The more land and power these nobles and aristocrats acquired, the less authority the central government had over them. • China would enter a period of political fragmentation and economic and cultural regression that would last for 300 years

18. Imperial Parallels • Rome • Han

19. Roman Empire

20. Han China Well organized bureaucracy based upon Confucian ideas and education Roman Empire Well organized bureaucracy founded on Roman law and classical learning Characteristics

21. Han China Emphasis on Family ancestors: patriarchical Reliance on landed gentry Engineering accomplishments: roads, canals, the Great Wall Roman Empire Emphasis on family: pater familias Reliance on patricians Engineering accomplishments: roads, aqueducts, amphitheatres, domes, sewage systems, central heating Characteristics

22. Grand Canal Roman Roads Characteristics

23. Great Wall Roman Aqueduct Characteristics

24. Han China Religion/Philosophy: Confucianism, Daoism, native gods, “Son of Heaven” intro to Buddhism Roman Empire Religion: Emperor as god, paganism, intro to Christianity Characteristics

25. Decline of Han Dynasty • Infighting among ruling elites • Inequitable distribution of land - tax burden fell on peasants rather than on large landowners • Series of peasant rebellions • Generals usurp political power - become warlords

26. Decline of Han Dynasty • 220 CE generals divide empire into three kingdoms. • Emigration of nomadic peoples into N. China kept country disunited

27. Decline of Roman Empire • Internal opposition - barrack emperors • Difficulties in administering vast empire creates rivalries and divisions of authority • Eastern and Western Empire - capital moved to Constantinople

28. Decline of Roman Empire • Germanic invasions by Vandals, Ostrogoths, and Visigoths • 476 Odoacer deposes final Western Roman Emperor • Eastern Roman Empire becomes Byzantine Empire - lasts another 1000 years

29. Shared Characteristics • Decline in Morals and Values • Decline in those values that have upheld this particular society together • Public Health and Urban Decay • Political Corruption • Unemployment and Inflation • Inferior technology • Military Spending

30. Venn Diagram

31. Venn Diagram