AN02c3

Unit02: New Directions in Organizing Society & Government

Ch.07

Timeline: 3rd C. BCE - 3rd C. CE

FQ: The Han build upon Qin efforts and become China's first 'Great' dynasty.
Main Idea: The Han Dynasty expanded Chinas borders and developed a system of
government that lasted for centuries. The pattern of a strong central government has remained
a permanent part of Chinese life. The coming greatness of Chinese civilization, however, has a
rather brutal start with the legalist policies of Qin Shih Huangdi. Under the rule of the Han, China
enters an extensive period of cultural, technical, and scientific growth. Despite lapses into
periods of chaos, the norm is stability and progress for many centuries. The developing world
view exhibits qualities that will seriously impact China's external relations, particularly with
Europeans beginning in the 16th century.
CCSS
I. The Unitary State
A. Standardization Policy
B. Public Works
C. Education
D. Population Relocation
E. Warfare
The Qin and, on a less-brutal level, the Han used all or most of the strategies listed above to
create a centralized political entity represented by a single ruler (emperor) from a ruling family
(dynasty).The Qin, fresh from a victory over the warring states, resettled enormous numbers of
people from one part of the empire to another to break old loyalties. By severing the ties
between ancestral lands and their peoples, the Qin hoped to foster a loyalty to the central
government. The relocation of aristocratic families to the capital city was an act of political
significance. It was the aristocracy that ruled the former warring states and the Qin believed that
the greatest threat to their rule would also come from that group. With the families of the nobility
nearby, no aristocrat would dare disobey the emperor. The Han would learn from Qin mistakes
as well as Qin successes to put the finishing touches on this Chinese unitary state.
II. Changes in Han Dynastic China
A. External Contacts
Expanded trade contacts and military conquests increased the impact of cultural
diffusion. Contact included Northern India, Korea, Vietnam, and Rome. Buddhism arrives
during the close of the Early Han period. Confucian scholars didn't look kindly on
'introduced' philosophies since foreign imports of any kind (mental, spiritual, or material)
was increasingly viewed through a developing world view that elevated Chinese
civilization over all other human societies.
Ponder: Why would the Chinese be open to the adoption of another faith or philosophy
at this time?
B. Legalism is replaced by Confucianism
C. Han Contributions & Expansion
1. Civil Service Exam System (Mastery of Confucian Classics)
2. Established Academies
3. Historiography: Sima Qian is considered one of the earliest, true, historians
along with Herodotus.

AN02c3

Unit02: New Directions in Organizing Society & Government

Ch.07

4. Invented 'Paper'
5. Emperor Wudi spent much of his long reign leading China's armies against
peoples north and west. He stretched China's borders to it's greatest extent
yet. He won the title "The Martial Emperor" for the extensive military activity
during his tenure.
6. Trade expands along Silk Road (across Eurasian continent).
Ponder:

Is the development of 'paper' a logical product of Confucian values?

What's the big deal about 'how' history is written?
D. A Developing World View
1. China as 'Middle Kingdom' or 'Celestial Kingdom'
2. Mandate of Heaven/ Son of Heaven: These concepts reflect the
philosophical base of imperial rule that is first expressed by the adoption of
the semi-divine title of 'emperor' by the first Qin ruler.
3. The Mandate of Heaven is the authority or permission granted by 'Heaven' to
rule. The mandate can be withdrawn by Heaven and the occurrence of
natural catastrophes (typhoons, drought, famine, floods, earthquakes, etc.)
can be interpreted as a sign of that.
4. The emperor is the 'Son of Heaven'. He is the representative of a dynasty
that has been given the mandate. He is charged with elevating China, by
serving as an example, to the condition ofHeaven.
5. Womens Roles: The women of the Han dynastic period, with a few notable
exceptions, led lives centered on the home. Confucian teachings were
commonly interpreted so that women were expected to devote themselves to
their families. A few empresses wielded great power while Daoist and
Buddhist nuns were able to gain an education and lead lives apart from their
families. Women in aristocratic and land-owning families sometimes pursued
an education, ran small shops and practiced medicine.
E. Causes of Collapse
The ascension and decline of Chinese dynasties and, by extension, all other
political entities can be described using a diagram known as the Chinese Dynastic
Cycle.
1. Peasant Dissatisfaction
a. Heavy Tax Burden
b. Government Corruption
c. Drought/ Famine
2. Declining Economic Prosperity
3. Secret societies formed to challenge Han rule. These societies often
organized and led peasants as part of a larger peasant rebellion that
overthrew the Han dynasty.
III. Summary
Ponder: Are there times or moments in human history that justify the institution of government
like that of the Qin? Are there other, greater, priorities to a people or nation other than justice,
equality, and due process? Was this brutal start a price worth paying if it were to guarantee the
successes of the Han?
Materials/Sources:Refer to the course calendar for additional assignments and pertinent due
dates.

AN02c3

Unit02: New Directions in Organizing Society & Government

Ch.07

World History: Patterns of Interaction

http://www-chaos.umd.edu "http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwwwchaos.umd.edu%2Fhistory%2Fimperial.html%2520on%252010%2520Dec.
03&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGI9clAR3LkFaUjPahGK-fimqtqPw"/history/
imperial.htmlon Dec. 2003. All rights reserved by the site of origin.
http://www.silk-road.com/toc/index.htmlon Dec. 2003. All rights reserved by the site of
origin.
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/early_imperial_china/han.htmlon
Dec. 2003. All rights reserved by the site of origin.
Sources of Chinese Traditions, vol. 1, 'LI SSU: Legalist Theories in Practice'
Map resources: http://www.mankato.msus.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/
ancient_china/xia.html, http://www.mankato.msus.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/
ancient_china/shang.html, http://campus.northpark.edu/history/WebChron/China/
Zhou.html