Ancient China's Dynasty Flashcards
How did the Zhou rulers govern? Who held power?
The Zhou believed in the “mandate of heaven”, where a ruler could not rule without heavens permission. After the Zhou soldiers moved south, they established a new political order. They granted land to others in return for loyalty, military support, and other services.
What did the Zhou dynasty invent or build that helped their society?
The Zhou benefited from bronze and iron. The Zhou used the iron and bronze for swords during the Warring States.
What new way of thinking or belief happened in the Zhou dynasty?
The Zhou dynasty believed in Confucianism believes that the government should be treated equally like a family where you respect the leader, and are respectful and loyal, Daoism believes that the government should stay out of their lives, and Legalism where Legalists believe that people were bad by nature and need to be controlled.
Ethic
Moral or values
Who was Confucious?
He was the most influential teacher in Chinese history./
What weakened or destroyed the Zhous rule?
The state of Qin, a powerful kingdom within the Zhou’s territory, conquered the Zhou capital. Following with political and social chaos erupting.
How did Qin Shi Huang (the emperor) control China? What were his rules like?
After uniting the states he titled himself “Shi Huangdi’ which means first emperor. This was the start of China’s Monarchy. Shi Huangdi demanded that everybody follows his rules. He ordered that all books that do not agree with Legalism, must be burned. If you did not agree there would be consequences.
What did the Qin dynasty create or improve that still matters today?
The Qin dynasty built the Great Wall of China. It protected China from invaders like the Mongols. It is seen today as a historical landmark.
What belief system did the Qin Shi Huang follow to rule?
Qin Shi Huang followed Legalism. He respected it greatly. In fact, demanded that every book against Legalism would be burned.
What happened to Qin Shi Huang ? Why did people rebel?
The emperor drank mercury, for he thought that it would grant him immortality, but he ended up dying from it. After his death the states argued about who should take the next place a emperor. This led to a civil war.
What was the government like during the Han Dynasty? Who made the decisions?
After the end of the Qin dynasty, armies fought for power, but one army led by Liu Bang won and Liu Bang became the next emperor. Liu Bang disagreed with Qin’s harsh punishments, and strict government. He wanted to free the people, lower taxes for farmers, and give land to his supporters. All of the decisions were made by emperors.
What is the Han Dynasty famous for trading or inventing?
The Han dynasty invented paper out of grinded up plant fibers, the sundial, and created acupuncture.
What belief system did the Han use that became important in government and daily life?
When the Han government became unstable, people started to ignore laws, and violence was common. None of the religions were helpful. But buddhism provided peace.
What problems led to the fall of the Han Dynasty?
Rebellions, natural disasters, economic problems, and the rise of powerful warlords, ultimately leading to the empire’s fragmentation.
