Chapter 2: China

AP World History

The Dynastic Cycle• A family of Kings would start its rule

with great vigor.– Develop strong community– Active economy

• Dynasty grows weaker, tax revenues decline– Social divisions increased– Internal rebellions– Invasions

• Another Dynasty emerges, usually from the family of a successful general, invader, or peasant rebel.

• Pattern starts anew…

Zhou Dynasty• Lasted from 1029-258 BCE

– Flourished only until about 700 BCE

• Replaces the RVC of the Shang• Never really develops a strong central

government…regional alliances– Feudal

• Rulers depend on a network of loyalties and obligations to and from their landlord vassals.

• Power is LOST when the regional aristocrats solidify their own powerbase, ignoring the central government.

Zhou Dynasty

Zhou Dynasty

• Usually divided into two time periods, Western, then Eastern. – Eastern is more Feudal

• Developed and maintained China’s “core” territory from the Huanghe to the Yangtze, referred to as the “Middle Kingdom.”

• Wheat grown in the north, Rice in the south

• Zhou rulers use the mandate of heaven to claim right to rule from the Shang

• Promote the unity of Mandarin Chinese

Confucius

• Late 6th and early 5th century BCE saw the rise of Confucius’ philosophy…a complex set of political ethics which would become the core of Chinese philosophy.

• The Era of Warring States: – 402 BCE to 201 BCE

Qin Dynasty• Qin Shi Huangdi, or First Emperor takes control of China.– He was a regional

ruler during Warring States

– Deposes the final Zhou Emperor

• Brutal Ruler (but effective)– Problem lay with

the power of Chinese Aristocracy (land owners, etc.)

Qin Dynasty

• He ordered nobles to his palace and took control of their estates.– Control as far as Hong Kong and

influenced the development of Vietnam

• Orders a National Census– Data for tax revenues

• Standardizes weights/measures and coinage– Even the length of axles on carts

• Promoted Agriculture/irrigation/manufacturing (silk)

• Burned books…thinking was subversive to his autocratic rule

Qin Dynasty

• Builds Great Wall of China (does most work on it)– 3000 Miles– The top is wide

enough for carts

Qin Dynasty

• Somewhat short-lived– High taxes– Legalism: singular

punishment for most crimes

• When the Emperor died in 210 BCE, massive revolts broke out by aggrieved peasants

Tomb of Shi Huangdi

Han Dynasty

• Kept the Centralized rule of the Qin, but sought to reduce the oppression

• Expands Chinese territory into Korea, Indochina, and central Asia

• Conducted trade with Parthian Empire in the Middle East, through which the Chinese traded with the Romans

Han Dynasty

• Most Famous ruler…Wu Ti (Wudi) rules from 140-87 BCE– Encouraged

peace within the empire

– Brought prosperity to China

Han Dynasty

• Seen as a “Golden Age” of Chinese Culture and development

• Government was linked to formal Confucian training– Urged support for Confucianism (unlike Qin)

• Quality of Han rule declines after about two centuries– Central control weakens– Nomads…the Huns threaten China’s borders

• 220-589 CE: China was in a state of Chaos