WH Chapter 4 Section 5 Notes
- 2. Shi Huangdi---means “first emperor” Zheng proclaimed himself this title Shi Huangdi built the strong, authoritarian government of the Qin dynasty Unified all of China---banned feudalism and replaced feudal states with 36 military districts Capital of the Qin dynasty was at Xianyang
- 5. To promote unity, Shi Huangdi standardized weights and measures and replaced the diverse coins of the Zhou states with Qin coins Shi Huangdi cracked down on opposition---he jailed, tortured, and killed people who opposed his rule---he also burned all literature and philosophy books only sparing books on medicine and agriculture
- 6. Shi Huangdi’s most remarkable and costly achievement was the Great Wall Hundreds of thousands of laborers worked for years through bitter cold and burning heat They pounded earth and stone into a mountainous wall almost 25 feet high topped with a wide brick road Eventually, the Great Wall would snake its way across thousands of miles of northern China The wall became an important symbol to the Chinese people---dividing and protecting their civilized world from the nomadic peoples north of the wall
- 17. Let’s watch a video on the Great Wall of China!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLMVZoh nCwA&feature=player_detailpage
- 18. Shi Huangdi thought his empire would last forever (doesn’t everyone!) After his death in 210 B.C., anger over heavy taxes, forced labor, and cruel policies exploded into revolts Shi Huandi’s tomb is quite impressive!!!
- 24. Let’s watch a video about Shi Huangdi’s tomb!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV19yTk VtsQ&feature=player_detailpage
- 25. Liu Bang, an illiterate peasant leader, defeated rival armies and founded the new Han dynasty Liu Bang claimed that his power was based on the Mandate of Heaven As emperor, he took the title Gao Zu and restored order and justice to his empire He appointed Confucian scholars as his advisers The Han dynasty lasted from 206 B.C.-220 A.D.
- 26. The most famous Han emperor was Wudi He strengthened the government and economy, chose officials from Confucian scholars, and set up an imperial university at Xian Economic growth was increased by improving canals and roads He set up granaries set up across the empire so the government could buy surplus grain and sell it at stable prices when it was scarce Set up a government monopoly on iron and salt-- -the sale of iron and salt gave the government a source of income other than taxes on the peasants
- 28. Wudi’s expansionist policy increased the amount of territory under Chinese control He fought many battles to expand China’s borders and drive nomadic peoples beyond the Great Wall Chinese armies added outposts in Manchuria, Korea, northern Vietnam, Tibet, and Central Asia Soldiers, traders, and settlers slowly spread Chinese influence across these areas
- 29. Wudi opened up the Silk Road that linked China to the west for centuries The Chinese traded silk for goods from the west such as grapes, figs, cucumbers, walnuts, furs from Central Asia, glass from Rome, or muslin from India Eventually the Silk Road stretched for 4,000 miles linking China to the Fertile Crescent Goods were relayed in stages from one set of traders to another
- 31. Han emperors made Confucianism the official belief system of the state A scholar-official was expected to match the Confucian idea of a gentlemen--- courteous, dignified, and possess a thorough knowledge of history, music, poetry, and Confucian teachings Han emperors believed government officials should get jobs based on merit rather than family backgrounds
- 32. Began a system of exams to find the most qualified government officials Civil service exams were given at the local, provincial, and national levels Usually only the wealthy could afford the years of studying to pass the exams; women were closed out of government jobs
- 34. Eventually the Han empire began to collapse Local warlords began to gain more power Weak emperors let canals and roads break down Peasants revolted over the heavy taxes and crushing debt In 220 A.D., the last Han emperor was overthrown China then broke up into different states with some controlled by outside invaders
- 35. Han scientists wrote books on chemistry, zoology, botany, and other subjects Observed and measured movements of the stars and planets---helped to improve calendars Invented a simple seismograph to detect and measure earthquakes Wang Chong---believed that comets and eclipses WERE NOT caused by heaven’s anger He also believed that no scientific theories should be accepted unless they were supported by proof
- 38. Chinese physicians diagnosed diseases, experimented with herbal remedies, and developed anesthetics Some doctors explored the medical use of acupuncture Acupuncture---inserting needles under the skin at specific points to relieve pain or illness
- 44. In it’s time, Han China was the most technologically advanced civilization in the world Made durable paper out of wood pulp Invented the rudder to steer ships Invented wheelbarrows, suspension bridges, and chain pumps
- 45. Shi Huangdi, Gao Zu, Wudi, and later Han rulers forged a vast and varied land into a united China Han rulers created an empire roughly the size of the continental United States During this period, Chinese officials established the pattern of government that would survive until 1912