Qin [Ch’in] Dynasty, 221-206 B.C.E.

Established China’s first empire Shi Huangdi (221-206 B.C.E) Legalist rule

Bureaucratic administration Centralized control Military expansion – focus on military

power Book burnings targeted

Confucianists Buried protestors alive!

Built large section of the Great Wall

The Qin Dynasty

Competing Ideologies of Empire

Struggle between Legalism and Confucianism Qin rejected Confucian respect for

the past and for living a moral example

Ordered Confucian texts burned Qin favored Legalism with its strict

laws and enforcement

Execution of Confucian Scholars

A history of China, written centuries after the Qin, depict the reported book burnings and burying of Confucian scholars

The Qin Dynasty

Administrative Power Autocracy – a government with unlimited

power Established a centralized bureaucracy of

trained officials – chose officials based on merit and talent Government jobs were no longer passed down to

sons –reduced the power of the nobles Anyone who can afford it may own land

Empire divided into 36 provinces each controlled by appointed officials

The Qin DynastyMilitary Power and Mass Mobilization

Qin defeated regional states by 221 B.C.E. Armed forces essential to Qin success

Defeated Koreans and nomadic tribes Mass mobilization of men for public works

including Great Wall of China 700,000 workers used to create capital city Qin Shi Huangdi tomb included 7,000 life-

size figures of soldiers

The Qin DynastyEconomic Power

Standard round coin with hole in center – banliang

Standardization of weights, measures, etc. Public works intended to improve economy

Canal and river transport systems Road network for trade and communication Irrigation in Sichuan for grain production Acquisition of areas rich in iron ore and two

ironworking facilities

The Qin DynastyThe Fall of the Qin Dynasty

Dynasty collapsed with death of Qin Shi Huangdi in 210 B.C.E.

Oppression brought backlash – revolts of people eager to escape the burdens of Qin labor and military service

Succession fight within Qin – several assassinations

Rebellions in regional capitals - first rebellion led by peasant farmer Chen Sheng (Dazexiang Uprising)

Had lost the Mandate of Heaven

Han Dynasty Overview 206 B.C.E.-220 C.E.

“People of the Han” original Chinese Expanded China’s borders and developed a

system of government that lasted for centuries Paper invented [105 B.C.E.]

Silk Road trade develops; improves life for many Confucianism became foundation of society Buddhism introduced into China

Liu Bang - Founder First emperor of the Han Dynasty (202 – 195

BCE) Emerged as victor from the post-Qin power

struggles – mighty will + sheer luck Modest background, low-level official Established capital at Chang’an

Main challenge: form a government that could secure order and dynastic stability without reminding the people of the Qin’s harsh rule

Liu Bang - Administration

Centralized government—Central authority controls the running of the state (Qin system maintained of direct administration of localities by court appointed officials)

Meritocracy – officials appointed by the court based on their talent and abilities, not birth

Officials took care of many responsibilities including public works, military, taxes, ceremonies, judging lawsuits

Departed from Legalism Lowered taxes and softened punishments Set a model for succeeding emperors

Han SynthesisThe Han Synthesis- term refers to continued

reliance on Legalism (military, legal system), but combined with Confucian education and ethical system

Moral basis of superior-subordinate relationships – subjects owed loyalty & responsibility

Han dynasty recorded Confucius’s teachings and put a big emphasis on family.

Tried to replace Confucian books lost during the Qin Dynasty

Emperor Wudi – Martial Emperor

Ruled 141 – 87 BCE – longer than any other Han ruler

Main Challenge: Foreign policy and expansion – How will he expand China’s borders and secure its trade routes from the western and northern nomadic warrior tribes?

Emperor Wudi, 141-87 BCEStrengthening the Power of

Government Emperor Wudi established a complex

bureaucracy

New system ignored the nobles—relied instead on trained scholars (mostly sons of merchants or landowners)

Taxes paid for the large government and military

Chinese peasants owed part of their crops to the government – also a month’s worth of labor each year and two years service in the military

Emperor Wudi, 141-87 B.C.E.Strengthened Power of Government

Wudi actively sought to decrease the power & wealth of the feudal lords Seized land, required they give expensive gifts Required that lands be divided between all

heirs – to reduce the land size controlled by a single family

Wudi actively sought to decrease the

power of merchants Government took over profitable industries

(iron, salt, grain, liquor) and taxed the products heavily to build up royal treasury

Taxes on these industries – pay for military

Wudi – “Martial Emperor” Aggressive foreign policy – expanded borders

“Martial Emperor” expanded China’s empire through war Colonized Manchuria, Korea & Vietnam

Chinese culture strongly impacted these regions

Needed a strong military to open up the trade routes to the West Han as militaristic as Qin had been Army of 300,000 to a million Campaigns to the west for access to Central Asian trade

for horses, cattle, and furs

Expansion – 2 ways – Conquest & Migration Military conquest brought new land and new

peoples living under Chinese rule Created military-agricultural colonies on borders

North faced flooding and war casualties – causing migrations to the south

South -- better rice growing – shifting population over centuries from north to south

Southern residents faced fewer threats to life

Emperor Wudi, 141-87 BCEForeign Policy / Expansion

Foreign policy - tribute systemWay to manage relations with nomadic tribes

to the west and north without going to warGoal – maintain peace and trade Tribes had to recognize Chinese superiority Tribal leaders presented gifts and hostages to

the Han emperor in return for valuable gifts from emperor such as silk and gold

Tribes also got the right to trade at frontier markets

In reality – China had little power over these societies

Emperor Wudi, 141-87 BCEForeign Policy / Expansion

Xiongnu Challenge Foreign policy challenge—the Xiongnu confederacy of

tribes raiding northern frontiers Nomadic pastoralists –sheep, cattle, horses

Moved about in search of water and pastures Did not farm, no writing – oral culture Expert horsemen & archers – trained from boyhood

By 209 BCE – the Xiongnu tribes had established a growing empire in Mongolia

Frequent border raids into China -- constant struggles between China and the northern tribes will last for 1,500 years

Xiongnu Challenge – Passive Foreign Policy

Refused to become a tributary state of China –to be subservient to the emperor Traditional tribute system failed

200 BCE – Xiongnu attacked and surrounded the first Han emperor and his army

China had to make annual gifts of expensive goods, food, royal women to the tribal chieftains to maintain peace

Xiongnu ranked as a co-equal state

Wudi (Emperor Wu) & the Xiongnu

Wudi took a different course of action Wudi aggressively sought allies among the

nomadic tribes to fight the Xiongnu Part of Central Asia came under the tribute system –

Wudi gained horses to increase cavalry

133 BCE – Wudi went on the offensive and attacked the Xiongnu with over 100,000 men

Despite initial success – Wudi’s army could never completely defeat them

Border war – costing government a fortune, hard on soldiers – losing morale, people living near borders faced constant warfare

Xiongnu Foreign Policy Effective strategy of

extortion in dealing with the Han

Military strategy – lightning strike deep into China and then retreat

Policy – alternating military strikes with diplomatic negotiations to gain more goods from the Han

Demanded to be treated as a co-equal state

Han – Expansion of Great Wall

The Great Wall with Towers

Xiongnu – Peace Treaty Civil war and political problems weakened

the Xiongnu after Wudi’s death – finally brought under the tribute system in 51 BCE when a peace treaty was negotiated

Xiongnu continued to have the upper hand in diplomacy with the Han – demanded ever increasing amounts of silk and other gifts

Peace on the frontiers -- important for the growth and protection of Silk Road trade routes

Han Social Hierarchy

Other Classes• Third class composed of artisans, made useful items, luxury goods

• Merchants occupied fourth class, trade not valued by Confucianism

• Slaves at bottom of society

• Military not an official class, but part of government and offered way to rise in status - required two years of service – infantry made up largest part of the military, cavalry increased under Han – use of the crossbow

Social StructureSocial Structure• Han society highly structured, clearly defined social classes

• Emperor at top, ruled with mandate from heaven

• Upper class of palace court, nobles, government officials, scholars

• Second, largest class consisted of peasants, who grew empire’s food—agriculture highly valued by Confucianism—big population—food supply huge concern

Han Social Structure

• Confucianism shaped Chinese society

• Confucius taught that family was central to well-being of the state

• Officials promoted strong family ties

– Fathers head of family– Filial piety stressed– Obedience, devotion to

parents, grandparents

Family LifeFamily Life• Children served parents

as they aged, honored dead at household shrines

• Han officials believed dutiful children made respectful subjects

• Some men even received government jobs because of respect shown parents

Dutiful ChildrenDutiful Children

Han SocietyHan Society

Women in Han Society Most women’s lives were centered on the home—

maintaining the household, raising and educating children, managing household finances

Rural women worked in the fields, city women ran shops, practiced herbal medicine—important contributions to the family’s economic well-being

Wealthy women pursued education and culture Ban Zhao – female historian and Confucianist

Husband was a court official and also a writer She wrote a guidebook for women called Lessons for Women—

women should be humble and obedient – but argued for the education of girls - based on Confucianism

A Confucian Bureaucracy – 130,000 officials Wudi chose educated men with Confucian

principles Established elite academy to teach Confucianism – knowledge of Confucian thought became requirement for promotion

Civil service exam system – complexExam covered law, history, literature, and Confucianism

Emperor Wudi, 141-87 BCEPolitics Influences Society

History – Unites Society

**Han writers produced important works of history to express a shared Chinese experience

Sima Qian (known as the Grand Historian, 145-85 B.C.)

Wrote Records of the Grand Historian Believed in visiting historical sites, talking

to eyewitnesses, not glorifying the past This early history became model for

Chinese historical writing

Unification of Chinese Culture:

Non-Han Peoples Han emperors expanded the empire—brought

foreigners living under Chinese rule

Farmers encouraged to move south to new lands and marry locals

Assimilation program—process of making conquered peoples part of the Chinese culture

Intermarrying, schools set up to teach Confucianism, local scholars were appointed to government, Chinese written language spread

Trade Routes of the Ancient WorldChina’s Han period was a time of great prosperity, growth and

achievement, defining imperial Chinese civilization for years. .

Foreign Policy & Origins Foreign Policy & Origins of the Silk Roadsof the Silk Roads

As they conquered areas of Central Asia, the Han learned people farther west wanted Chinese goods

Zhang Qian was sent by Wu to secure alliances in Central Asia against the Xiongnu - returned from failed diplomatic mission, 126 BC

Told of region’s riches, demand for Chinese goods

Events led to increased trade with west

Zhang Qian—Silk Zhang Qian—Silk Road pioneerRoad pioneer

Merchants traveling between China, Central Asia , and the West used overland routes. The most famous were called the Silk Roads. This network of routes eventually stretched from China over 4,000 miles to Mediterranean Sea, and linked China to India, the Middle East, and the Roman Empire..

• Travelers on Silk Roads crossed rugged, barren terrain

• Faced attacks by bandits

• For protection, traveled in huge camel caravans

• Bactrian camels – crucial to success of the routes

• Stopped at stations along way – oasis stops – grew into market towns

TravelTravel

• Most merchants traveled only part of way

• Traded goods with merchants from distant lands

• Most goods traded were luxury items

• Small, valuable, highly profitable

TradeTrade

The Silk Roads -OverviewThe Silk Roads -Overview

Silk RoadsSilk Roads

Bactrian camel – essential to the successful workings of the Silk Roads

Silk Roads – 50 BCE – 250 CE

Silk Roads allowed for large-scale economic exchange over a vast area stretching from China to the Mediterranean It isn’t a road – several interconnecting routes

50 BCE – 250 CE marks the first era of the Silk Roads – coincides with the rise of stable, powerful empires (Augustus in Rome, Han China, Parthian in Persia, Kushan in Central Asia)

Empires provided security, improved road systems, coinage, transport technology

Silk Roads – 50 BCE – 250 CE

Role of the pastoral nomads in Central Asia – important role in exchange network

Their domesticated horses and camels – sought after by the Chinese

Nomads were acclimated to the harsh environment of the steppes – relied on for assistance by travelers

Acted as middle men moving goods through the region

Han China – wanted horses, jade, farming products (grapes, wine, fruits), Roman glassware

Rome – wanted silk, paper, Han iron, exotic spices from China & India, incense and oils from Arabia – spent fortunes on these items

Silk Roads & Cultural Silk Roads & Cultural ExchangeExchangeTraders carried ideas as well as goods over the Silk Roads

The stirrup, invented in Central Asia, changed warfare – mounted warriors could stand & charge enemy with a lance

Buddhism spread to China from India Reached China in first century CE Seen as a foreign religion by government and ignored Han government became less stable, violence increased Buddhism’s message of rebirth offered hope

Buddhism gained popularity by 200 CE among merchants, lower classes

Mahayana Buddhism developed (less strict form, focus on salvation, doesn’t reject material world)

Han Economy

Economic Power Developed ironworking techniques Spread trade routes to the west Raised land revenues and

nationalized private enterprise (creating government monopolies) Confucianists opposed these policies but also

opposed commercial activity in general

Trade grew in Han period• Agriculture basis of economy• Growth of trade increased

prosperity• Led to contact between

China, other civilizations

Production of silk• Most prized Chinese product • Secret method for making silk• Revealing secret punishable

by death

Han products• Ironworkers made iron armor,

swords• Artisans made pottery, jade

and bronze objects, lacquer ware

Major industry• Raised silkworms, unwound

threads of cocoons • Dyed threads, wove into fabric• Fabric beautiful, soft, strong• Clothing costly, in high

demand

Han Economy & Industry

Economy: Silk Production

By 2400 B.C. the Chinese has domesticated the silkworm and its main food source, the mulberry tree (fully domesticated insect)

Sericulture (science of silk production)—heavily guarded secret—punishable by death if revealed to foreigners due to its economic importance

Production involved killing the worm and unwinding its cocoon in a continuous thread of more than 2,000 feet long

Silk Production

**Women played the predominant role in silk production

Han Commerce & Industry

• Emperor Wudi viewed the growth in Chinese industry as a means for the government to make money to pay for the military

•119 BCE government monopolies were established on the production of iron, salt, liquor –private businessmen now lost a big source of profit

•Government also stored grain and waited until prices went up to sell it…goal was to provide more constant prices and more profit

Papermaking• One of most important Han inventions - paper • Made by grinding plant fibers into paste, paste dried in sheets• Created “books” by connecting several sheets of paper into long scroll

Farming• Inventions included iron plow, wheelbarrow, collar harness allowed

oxen to pull heavier loads • With a two-bladed iron plow, farmer could till more land• Water mill—used to grind grain

Han AchievementsHan Achievements

Science & Tech Science & Tech • Created seismograph to measure earthquake tremors; approximated pi• Mining advances, use of natural gas as furnace fuel • Made advances in acupuncture• Invented an early magnetic compass, ship’s rudder, calendar based on

movements of both sun and moon , water clock, stronger iron

Classical AgeClassical Age• During Han period, arts flourished, sciences

and technology improved life• Han China boasted magnificent palaces,

multistoried towers (none survived)

Artisans and ArtistsArtisans and Artists• Calligraphy – important art form after the

invention of paper • Artisans produced glazed ceramic, bronze

figurines, jade carvings, silk cloth• Artists painted portraits and nature scenes

on walls, scrolls, room screens• During Later Han, Buddhist art flourished,

including temple wall paintings

Han AchievementsHan Achievements

Han Achievements

***Replica of Han *Replica of Han seismometer c. 132 seismometer c. 132 CE CE Hydraulic chain pumpsHydraulic chain pumps

Replica – grain Replica – grain storage towerstorage tower

Gilded oil lampGilded oil lamp

Han Decline - Wang Mang

Usurping of Han power

Xin dynasty [9-23 CE] Death of a child emperor led to attempt

of by military official Wang Mang to create new dynasty – Confucian reformer

Flooding and course changes of the Yellow River disrupted daily and economic life

Invasions of Xiongnu and rebellion in 23 CE opened door for return of Han

Later or Eastern Han

Return of the Han– Later Han Dynasty A Weakened Han Dynasty [23-220 CE]

Han weakness enabled barbarians to live inside the Great Wall, serve in army, and intermarry with Chinese

Led to sinicization (adoption of Chinese culture) of barbarians

Han failed to force local government officials to send tax revenues to central government

Decline of the Eastern or Later Han Dynasty

Wide gap between the rich and poor Small farmers were in debt Rich landholders were not required to pay

taxes Economic problems then led to political

instability 184 – 205 CE – The Yellow Turban Rebellion

Peasant revolt against the government united by teachings of Daoism

Agrarian crisis – famine in north sent farmers into the south looking for work – labor surplus exploited by wealthy landowners

Later Han Dynasty ruled until 220 CE – emigration of nomadic peoples into the north kept the nation divided

Decline of Han Dynasty

Infighting among ruling elitesUnequal distribution of land Tax burden fell on peasants rather

than on large landownersSeries of peasant rebellionsPolitical corruption Generals usurp political power -

became warlords

China – Reunification**Why was China able to reunite in 6th

C. CE?

Homogeneity of cultureStrong tradition of centralized

government, Unifying values of ConfucianismSpread of language and writing

system throughout East Asia Advanced farming and technologyAbsorption of nomadic tribes who

came into the empire