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