TThe he QQin in andand

HHan an DDynastiesynasties

What’s the Connection?Each of China’s early dynasties

was led by rulers who were verydifferent. In this section, you will see how the Qin and Han dynastiesdiffered because of their rulers.

Focusing on the • Qin Shihuangdi used harsh methods

to unify and defend China. (page 241)

• Developments during the Handynasty improved life for all Chinese.(page 244)

• The Silk Road carried Chinese goodsas far as Greece and Rome. (page 246)

• Unrest in China helped Buddhism to spread. (page 248)

Locating PlacesGuangzhou (GWAHNG•JOH)Silk Road

Luoyang (loo•WOH•YAHNG)

Meeting PeopleQin Shihuangdi (CHIHN SHEE•hwahng•dee)Liu Bang (lee•OO BAHNG)Han Wudi (HAHN WOO•DEE)

Building Your Vocabularyacupuncture (A•kyuh•PUHNGK•chuhr)

Reading StrategyDetermining Cause and EffectComplete a diagram like the one below showing the inventions of theHan dynasty and the resulting impacton society.

240 CHAPTER 7 Early China

202 B.C. Liu Bang foundsHan dynasty

c. A.D. 100 Silk Roadestablished

A.D. 190Rebel armiesattack Han capital

200 B.C. A.D. 1 A.D. 200200 B.C. A.D. 1 A.D. 200

Invention Effect

Changan

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Qin and Han Empires 221 221 B..C.–.–A..D. 220. 220

Emperor Qin Shihuangdi Qin Shihuangdi used harsh methods to

unify and defend China.

Reading Focus Imagine your city or state without

any roads. How would people get from one place to

another? Read to find out how a Chinese ruler used

roads and canals to unite China.

You have read about the problems inChina from about 400 B.C. to 200 B.C. Therulers of powerful local states fought oneanother and ignored the Zhou kings. Oneof these states was called Qin. Its rulertook over neighboring states one by one.In 221 B.C. the Qin ruler declared himselfQin Shihuangdi (CHIHN SHEE • hwahng • dee),

which means “the First Qin Emperor.” TheQin ruler made changes in China’s govern-ment that would last for 2,000 years.

A Powerful Ruler Qin based his rule onthe ideas of Legalism. He had everyonewho opposed him punished or killed.Books opposing his views were publiclyburned. Qin made the central governmentstronger than ever before. He appointedgovernment officials, called censors, to makesure government officials did their jobs.

Second in power to the central govern-ment were provinces and counties. UnderZhou kings, officials who ran these areaspassed on their posts to sons or relatives.Under Qin, only he could fill these posts.

During both the Qin and Handynasties, China’s empire expanded.1. Which geographical areas did

both empires include? 2. Which empire expanded farthest

west?

CHAPTER 7 Early China 241

Qin empireGreat Wall in Qin periodHan empire Great Wall in Han period

KEY

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Qin Shihuangdi unified China. He cre-ated one currency, or type of money, to be used throughout the empire. He alsoordered the building of roads and a hugecanal. The canal connected the Chang Jiangin central China to what is today the city ofGuangzhou (GWAHNG • JOH) in southernChina. He used the canal to ship supplies tohis troops in far-off territories.

The Great Wall Northern China was bor-dered by the vast Gobi. Nomads, peoplewho move from place to place with herds ofanimals, lived in the Gobi. The Chineseknew them as the Xiongnu (SYEHN•NOO).The Xiongnu were masters at fighting onhorseback. They often attacked Chinesefarms and villages. Several Chinese rulers inthe north built walls to keep out the Xiongnu.

Qin Shihuangdi forced farmers to leavetheir fields and work on connecting andstrengthening the walls. The result was theGreat Wall of China, built with stone, sand,and piled rubble. However, Qin did notbuild the wall that we know today. It wasbuilt 1,500 years later.

Why Did People Rebel? Many Chineseviewed Qin Shihuangdi as a cruel leader.Aristocrats were angry because he reducedtheir power. Scholars hated him for burningtheir writings. Farmers hated him for forc-ing them to build roads and the Great Wall.Four years after the emperor died in 210 B.C.,the people overthrew his dynasty. Civil warfollowed, and a new dynasty soon arose.

Explain Why did Qin facelittle opposition during most of his reign?

This artwork shows the Great Wall manyyears after the reign of Qin Shihuangdi.Most of the wall built by Qin was made of

stone and rubble, and was located northof the Great Wall we see today. Little

remains of Qin’s wall. Who was thewall meant to keep out?

240-248 C7S3-824133 8/9/04 10:13 PM Page 242

QIN SHIHUANGDIc. 259–210 B.C.

At the age 13, Ying Zheng became the leader of

the Chinese state of Qin. The state was already very

powerful because of Zheng’s father, the previous ruler.

Its government and military were well organized. With

the help of his generals, young Zheng defeated Qin’s six

rival states. By 221 B.C., he had united all of the Chinese

states under his rule. To mark a new beginning for China

and to show his supremacy, Zheng gave himself the title

Qin Shihuangdi—“The First Qin Emperor.”

Qin Shihuangdi energetically went to work organizing

his country. He divided the land into 36 districts, each

with its own governor and a representative who reported

directly to him. He made laws and taxes uniform

throughout the country. He also standardized weights

and measurements. Throughout China, the emperor had

his achievements inscribed on stone tablets.

Qin Shihuangdi did strengthen and organize China,

but many people disliked him because of his harsh laws

and punishments. Many people also disliked how he spent lavish amounts of money

to build palaces and a gigantic tomb for

himself. He had an entire lifelike army—

over 6,000 soldiers and horses—built of clay

and placed in the tomb.

Three attempts to kill the emperor were

made during the last years of his life. Qin

Shihuangdi grew fearful and searched for a

magic potion that would give him everlasting

life. He died while on a trip in eastern China.

243

Why do you think modern historians disagree

in their evaluation of Qin Shihuangdi’s

leadership?

Part of the terra-cotta army found in

Qin Shihuangdi’s tomb

“I have brought order “I have brought order

to the mass of beings.”to the mass of beings.”—Qin Shihuangdi—Qin Shihuangdi

Qin Shihuangdi

(t)ChinaStock, (b)Robert Harding Picture Library

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The Han DynastyDevelopments during the Han dynasty

improved life for all Chinese.

Reading Focus How much time do you spend study-

ing for tests? Find out why some Chinese people spent

years studying for one special test.

In 202 B.C. Liu Bang (lee • OO BAHNG)founded the Han dynasty. Liu Bang, whowas once a peasant, became a militaryleader and defeated his rivals. He declaredhimself Han Gaozu—“Exalted Emperor ofHan.” Although Han Gaozu threw out theharsh policies of the Qin dynasty, he contin-ued to use censors and also divided theempire into provinces and counties.

What Was the Civil Service? The Hanreached its peak under the leadership ofHan Wudi (HAHN WOO •DEE), which means“Martial Emperor of Han.” He ruled from

141 B.C. to 87 B.C. Because Wudi wanted tal-ented people to fill government posts, jobseekers had to take long, difficult tests toqualify for openings in the bureaucracy.Those with the highest scores got the jobs.

In time, Wudi’s tests became the civilservice examinations. This system forchoosing officials remained part of Chinesecivilization for 2,000 years. The system wassupposed to help anyone with the rightskills get a job with the government.However, it actually favored the rich. Onlywealthy families could afford to educatetheir sons for the difficult exams.

Students preparing for these testslearned law, history, and the teachings ofConfucius. They began to memorize theworks of Confucius at age seven. Studentswere not allowed to do physical labor or toplay most sports. They could go fishing,however, because it was considered the

sport of scholars. After many yearsof schooling, the students took theircivil service examinations. Only onein five passed. Those who failedtaught school, took jobs as assistantsto officials, or were supported bytheir families.

The Chinese Empire Grows A largebureaucracy was needed to rule the rapidly growing empire. Thepopulation had grown from about 20 million under Han Gaozu to morethan 60 million under Han Wudi.

Because farmers had to dividetheir lands among more and moresons, the average farmer owned only about one acre of land. With solittle land, farm families could notraise enough to live. As a result,many sold their land to aristocratsand became tenant farmers. Tenantfarmers work on land that is owned

244 CHAPTER 7 Early China

This painting shows students taking a civil serviceexamination. Why did the civil service systemfavor rich job seekers?

Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

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CHAPTER 7 Early China 245

by someone else and pay rent in crops. The aristocrats now owned thousands ofacres. They hired armies to force morefarmers into selling their land and workingas tenants.

China’s empire grew in size as well as inpopulation. Han armies added lands to thesouth and pushed Chinese borders west-ward. The Han dynasty also made thecountry more secure. Wudi’s armies droveback the Xiongnu—the nomads to thenorth. After Wudi’s death, the Chineselived in peace for almost 150 years.

An Era of Inventions New inventions during the Han dynasty helped Chineseworkers produce more than ever. Millersused newly invented waterwheels to grindmore grain, and miners used new iron drill bits to mine more salt. Ironworkersinvented steel. Paper, another Han inven-tion, was used by government officials torecord a growing amount of information.

Chinese medicine also improved underthe Han. Doctors discovered that certainfoods prevented disease. They used herbsto cure illnesses and eased pain by sticking

Papermaking today is a hugeinternational industry. Most paper is

made in paper mills by machines, butthe basic process is the same. Instead

of tree bark, rags, and hemp, most papertoday is made from wood pulp. Why do you

think some modern artists continue to makepaper using pulp and a frame?

PapermakingPapermaking

The Chinese were the first people to makepaper. The oldest piece of paper found in Chinadates from the first century B.C. Papermakerssoaked tree bark, hemp, and rags in waterand pounded it into pulp. They lowered a bamboo screen into a vat of the pulpand then lifted it out. It held a thin sheet of pulp which dried into a singlesheet of paper.

A modern artist demonstrates an ancient way of making paper.

Modern papermaking

(l)Ontario Science Centre, (r)Dean Conger/CORBIS

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SPICESSPICES

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The Silk RoadThe Silk Road carried Chinese goods as

far as Greece and Rome.

Reading Focus Many of the things we buy today are

made in China. How do these goods get to the United

States? Read to learn how goods made in China long

ago made it all the way to Europe.

Chinese merchants made a lot of moneyby shipping expensive goods to other coun-tries. Silk was the most valuable trade prod-uct. Some of it went by ship to Southeast

Trading in the Ancient World

thin needles into patients’ skin. This treat-ment is known as acupuncture (A • kyuh •PUHNGK • chuhr).

The Chinese also invented the rudderand a new way to move the sails of ships.These changes allowed ships to sail into thewind for the first time. Chinese merchantships could now travel to the islands ofSoutheast Asia and into the Indian Ocean.As a result, China established trade as faraway as India and the Mediterranean Sea.

Explain How did China’sempire increase in size during the Han dynasty?

KEY

SPICESSPICES

SPICES

SPICES

SPICES

SPICES

SPICES

SPICESBlack pepper

Cardamom

Cinnamon

Cloves

Copper

Cotton cloth

Frankincense/Myrrh

Gold

Ginger

Grains

Horns/Tusks

Leopard skins

Nutmeg

Oils

Papyrus

Pearls

Sandalwood

Semipreciousstones

Silk

Teakwood

Silk Road

Other traderoutes

The Silk Road allowed the transportof expensive goods all the way fromChina to the Middle East and beyond.1. What were some trade goods

produced by China?2. What regions were near or along

the route of the Silk Road?

240-248 C7S3-824133 3/10/04 6:32 PM Page 246

When

SHANGSHANG

1750–1045 B.C.

Developed social classes that included farmers, merchants, aristocrats, and royal family

ZHOUZHOU

Important Leaders

Main Ideas andAccomplishments

Influences on Chinese Culture

Numerous kings with large armies and control over the land; ruled from capital city of Anyang

Influenced Chinese religion and culture; created Chinese written language

1045–256 B.C.

Longest-lasting dynasty in Chinese history; established Mandate of Heaven

Wu Qin Shihuangdi

Developed irrigation and flood-control systems to help farmers grow more crops

QINQIN

221–206 B.C.

Strengthened central government; created single monetary system

Introduced use of censors to check on government officials; Qin built the first Great Wall to keep out invaders

Liu Bang

HANHAN

202 B.C.–A.D. 220

Population and landmass grew under Han; opened China to trade and commerce by building Silk Road

Created government’s civil service examination; major inventions: steel, paper, acupuncture, advanced sea travel

Four Chinese DynastiesFour Chinese Dynasties

The four dynasties of early China wereseparated by brief periods of unrest.1. Under which dynasty was a single monetary

system put in place?2. Evaluate Which dynasty do you think

contributed the most to Chinese culture? Why?

CHAPTER 7 Early China 247

Asia. However, most went overland on theSilk Road. This large network of traderoutes stretched 4,000 miles (6,436 km) fromwestern China to southwest Asia.

Merchants began using the Silk Roadbetween 200 B.C. and A.D. 100. Han Wudisent out a general named Zhang Qian(JAHNG CHYEHN) to explore areas west ofChina. After 13 years, Zhang returned toChina with amazing stories.

He told of a mighty empire to the westwith large cities full of people “who cuttheir hair short, wear embroidered clothes,and ride in very small chariots.” Zhang was

describing the Roman Empire. His storiessparked China’s interest in the West andtrade on the Silk Road increased. Merchantsused camels to carry their goods acrossdeserts and mountains to central Asia.From there Arabs carried the goods to theMediterranean Sea.

The trip over the Silk Road was expen-sive because it was difficult and dangerous.Merchants had to pay taxes to many king-doms as they moved the goods east andwest. For this reason, they carried onlyhigh-priced goods such as silk, spices, tea,and porcelain.

Conclude Why were onlyexpensive goods carried on the Silk Road?

(l)The Art Archive/National Palace Museum Taiwan, (others)The Art Archive/British Library

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Reading SummaryReview the • The short-lived Qin dynasty

helped to unify China.

• During the Han dynasty, peoplebegan taking tests for govern-ment jobs. New inventions,such as the waterwheel andpaper, were created.

• The Silk Road was an importanttrade route that linked China tothe West.

• As the Han dynasty lost power,many Chinese became followersof Buddhism.

1. Why did Qin Shihuangdi havethe Great Wall built?

2. What were civil service exami-nations and why were theycreated?

Critical Thinking3. Cause and Effect Draw a

diagram to show the factorsthat caused the Han dynastyto fall.

4. Geography Skills What bar-riers did merchants who usedthe Silk Road have to cross?

5. Explain How did QinShihuangdi make China’s cen-tral government stronger?

6. Analyze Why did the Qindynasty fall?

7. Descriptive Writing ZhangQian wrote that Romans hadshort hair, wore embroideredclothes, and rode in chariots.Name three things that hemight have written about peo-ple in the United States afterseeing them for the first time.

What Did You Learn?

Homework Helper Need help with the material in this section? Visit jat.glencoe.com

248 CHAPTER 7 Early China

Major Changes in ChinaUnrest in China helped Buddhism to

spread.

Reading Focus What do you do when you feel fright-

ened or unsafe? Read to find out how those feelings

triggered the spread of Buddhism from India to China.

As you read in Chapter 6, Buddhismbegan in India, but it soon spread to othercountries as well. Merchants and teachersfrom India brought Buddhism to Chinaduring the A.D. 100s. At first, only a few merchants and scholars were interested in the new religion. In time, however,Buddhism became very popular. One of themost important reasons that the Chinesepeople began to believe in Buddhism wasthe fall of the Han dynasty.

The Han emperors after Wudi wereweak and foolish. As a result, the centralgovernment lost respect and power. At the

same time, as you read earlier, the aristocratsbegan grabbing more land and wealth.Dishonest officials and greedy aristocratscaused unrest among the farmers.

Wars, rebellions, and plots against theemperor put an end to the Han dynasty. In A.D. 190 a rebel army attacked the Han capital, Luoyang (loo • WOH • YAHNG). ByA.D. 220, China had plunged into civil war.To make the situation worse, the northernnomads invaded the country.

The collapse of the government and the beginning of the civil war frightenedmany Chinese. They felt unsafe. Buddhistideas helped people cope with the stressand their fear. Even the followers of other religions found Buddhism attractive.Followers of Confucius and Daoistsadmired Buddhist ideas. By the 400s,Buddhism had become popular in China.

Identify What groups inChina were the first to adopt Buddhism?

Han Dynasty Falls

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