The Qin and Han The Qin and Han DynastiesDynasties

Chapter 5Chapter 5

Section 3Section 3

Did You Know?Did You Know?

The Great Wall of China stretches about The Great Wall of China stretches about 1,500 miles across northern China.1,500 miles across northern China.

Today, sections of the Great Wall are Today, sections of the Great Wall are deteriorating from natural erosion. deteriorating from natural erosion.

Emperor Qin ShihuangdiEmperor Qin Shihuangdi Qin was a ruler of a local state during Zhou dynasty.Qin was a ruler of a local state during Zhou dynasty.

He gradually took over neighboring states and declared He gradually took over neighboring states and declared himself himself Qin Shihuangdi: Qin Shihuangdi: which means which means “First Qin Emperor”“First Qin Emperor”

Qin’s rule was based on Qin’s rule was based on LegalismLegalism.. Qin united China, created one type of currency, or money; Qin united China, created one type of currency, or money;

ordered the building the of roads and buildings; and ordered the building the of roads and buildings; and connected the Chang Jiang to Guangzhou by the canal. connected the Chang Jiang to Guangzhou by the canal.

The Great Wall of China: The Great Wall of China: was built to protect the Chinese was built to protect the Chinese from the Xiongnu, a nomadic people living north of China. from the Xiongnu, a nomadic people living north of China.

Chinese people believed Qin was a harsh ruler, and they Chinese people believed Qin was a harsh ruler, and they overthrew his dynasty after his death. overthrew his dynasty after his death.

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

What are some examples of Qin What are some examples of Qin Shihuangdi’s cruelty in ruling his people?Shihuangdi’s cruelty in ruling his people?

Qin punished or killed anyone who Qin punished or killed anyone who opposed him.opposed him.

He forced farmers to leave their farms to He forced farmers to leave their farms to build the Great Wall of China.build the Great Wall of China.

He also burned scholars’ writings. He also burned scholars’ writings.

The Han DynastyThe Han Dynasty Liu BangLiu Bang: founded the Han dynasty in 202 : founded the Han dynasty in 202

B.C., which reached its peak during the B.C., which reached its peak during the rule of rule of Han WudiHan Wudi.. Civil service examinations began when Han Civil service examinations began when Han

Wudi started testing potential government Wudi started testing potential government employees. Students prepared for many employees. Students prepared for many years to take the exams.years to take the exams.

The population tripled during the Han dynasty.The population tripled during the Han dynasty. Farmers had to divide their land among more and Farmers had to divide their land among more and

more sons, which left them with very little land.more sons, which left them with very little land. Farmers sold their land to aristocrats and became tenant Farmers sold their land to aristocrats and became tenant

farmers to survive. farmers to survive.

The Han Dynasty The Han Dynasty continuedcontinued

New forms of literature and art appeared during New forms of literature and art appeared during the Han dynasty, and the idea of the Han dynasty, and the idea of filial pietyfilial piety became very strong.became very strong.

The Chinese invented many new products The Chinese invented many new products during the Han dynasty, such as:during the Han dynasty, such as: The waterwheel, the rudder, drill bits, steel, and The waterwheel, the rudder, drill bits, steel, and

paper.paper.

Chinese doctors began practicing Chinese doctors began practicing acupunctureacupuncture, , the practice of easing pain by sticking needles the practice of easing pain by sticking needles into patients’ skin. into patients’ skin.

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

How did the invention of the rudder How did the invention of the rudder change Chinese trade?change Chinese trade?

With the rudder, the Chinese could move With the rudder, the Chinese could move ships’ sails differently. ships’ sails differently.

Ships could now sail into the wind rather Ships could now sail into the wind rather than with it. than with it. This meant Chinese ships could travel to the This meant Chinese ships could travel to the

islands of Southeast Asia and the Indian islands of Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. Ocean.

The Silk RoadThe Silk Road

Silk was the most valuable trade product.Silk was the most valuable trade product. The The Silk RoadSilk Road was an overland trade was an overland trade

route extending from western China to route extending from western China to southwest Asia. southwest Asia. Travel along the Silk Road was difficult Travel along the Silk Road was difficult

(WHY), so many merchants stopped after part (WHY), so many merchants stopped after part of the journey and sold their goods.of the journey and sold their goods.

The Silk Road brought Chinese merchants in The Silk Road brought Chinese merchants in contact with many different civilizations, which contact with many different civilizations, which led to an exchange of goods and ideas. led to an exchange of goods and ideas.

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

What empire had General Zhang Qian What empire had General Zhang Qian encountered during his 13-year trip west, encountered during his 13-year trip west, and how did he describe it upon his and how did he describe it upon his return?return?

He described the Roman Empire and its He described the Roman Empire and its large cities with people wearing large cities with people wearing embroidered clothes and driving chariots. embroidered clothes and driving chariots.

Major Changes in ChinaMajor Changes in China

Buddhism spread from India to China.Buddhism spread from India to China. The Han dynasty fell after wars, rebellions, and The Han dynasty fell after wars, rebellions, and

plots against the emperor.plots against the emperor. Civil war began, and nomads invaded the country Civil war began, and nomads invaded the country

before the government collapsed.before the government collapsed.

Buddhism helped people cope with the chaotic Buddhism helped people cope with the chaotic times. times.

WHAT MADE PEOPLE FEEL UNSAFE SO WHAT MADE PEOPLE FEEL UNSAFE SO THAT THEY TURNED TO BUDDHISM? THAT THEY TURNED TO BUDDHISM?

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

How did Buddhism become popular in How did Buddhism become popular in China?China?

First, merchants from India brought First, merchants from India brought Buddhism to China.Buddhism to China. During the unrest of the fall of the Han During the unrest of the fall of the Han

dynasty, people found comfort in the dynasty, people found comfort in the teachings of Buddhism, and more people teachings of Buddhism, and more people began practicing the Buddhist religion. began practicing the Buddhist religion.