The Chin (221BCE) vs. The Han (207 BCE)
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Transcript of The Chin (221BCE) vs. The Han (207 BCE)
The Chin (221BCE) vs. The Han (207 BCE)
Philosophy
Legacy
Reputation
Legalist-actionnot words
Confucianismi.e. stability
Great Wall , Chinese dictionary,Standardized money
-The Silk Road-Conquered Central Asia
Ruthless, oppressive.
Well organizedsocial structure
Emperor• Supreme figure of government.• Father and mother of his people and
the son of heaven.• Responsible for keeping the balance.• Not worshipped as a god.• Mandate of heaven - meant that if
things went bad, the people would rise up and depose him.
Education Examination and Law• The vast majority remained illiterate
until the 20th century.• For the elite, education was
extremely important.• When children reached eight, girls
and boys were separated.• Girls educated in deportment.• Boys who wanted to enter the
government had to memorize 400’000 words that made up the classics.
Law• Very specific rules• Relative to the person being accused • Flogging, work-camps and exile were
preferred over execution• Guilty until proven innocent• This system is at the root of China’s
poor record of human rights
The Decline of the Han• The peasants suffered as the gap
between rich and poor grew.• A number of rebellions broke out and
powerful landlords and generals were no longer loyal to the Emperor.
• The last Emperor Abdicated in 220 BCE.
What happens when an Empire collapses?
Manchus
Tibetans
Mongols
Why China and not Rome?
Buddism was the religion of over half the world. It kept the ChineseTogether at a time of crisis
The Second Empire - 589• Once again united China• Rebuilt all that was lost during disunion• Lowered taxes and kept his government honest• His son lost the respect of the people = rebellionEmperor Wendi
China’s Golden Age: The Tang Dynasty
-Greatest territorial extent-cities and culture flourished
-restored school systems-land given to peasants
-rule was just and fair
China’s Rebirth: the Song Dynasty
Assignment – Read pages 350-359• Questions 1-3• Complete Question 3 on page 363