The Qin and Han Dynasties

Civil Service

A centralized administrative system that runs the day-to-day business of government; one was established by the Han dynasty where job candidates were required to pass an exam to show their abilities to help run the government.

Qin based his ideas on

Legalism

How did China's empire increase during the Han dynasty?

Population had grown from 20 million to 60 million. Han armies added lands to the south and pushed Chinese boarders westward. Han dynasty also make the countrry more secure. After Wudi's armies drove back the Xiongnu, the nomads to the north, the chinese lived in peace for almost 150 years.

Why did Qin face little opposition during most of his reign?

Qin killed or punished anyone who opposed him. Qin had censors make sure that jobs were done. Books opposing his views were publicly burned.

One way Qin ran China differently than the Zhou dynasty.

Second in power to the central government were provinces and countries. Under Zhou kings officials who ran these area passed on their posts to sons or relatives. Under Qin, only he could fill these posts

The Silk Road carried Chinese goods to what areas?

As far as Greece and Rome.

Why did the Chinese begin to adopt Buddist ideas?

Because of the civil war in China, Buddist ideas helped people cope with the stress and their fear. By the 400's Buddhism had become popular in China.

The Great Wall

Built by Shi Huangdi (Qin) to defend their land against nomadic invaders from the north., a vast Chinese defensive fortification begun in the 3rd century B.C. and running along the northern border of the country for 2,400 km

How did Chinese medicine improve under the Han?

Doctors discovered that ceertain foods prevented disease. They used herbs to cure illnesses and eased pain by thin needles into patients' skin (accupuncture).

What caused major changes in China?

Han emperors after Wudi were weak and foolish. Central government lost respect and power. Dishonest officials and greedy aristocrats caused unrest among the farmers.

What inventions during the Han dynasty helped Chinese workers?

Inventions helped produce more than ever. Millers used newly invented waterwheels to grind more grain, miners used new iron drill bits to mine more salt. Ironworkers invented steel. Paper, another Han invention was used by government officials to record a growing amount of information.

What changes occured during the 150 years of peace during the Han dynasty?

New forms of Chinese literature. Scholars and historians wrote new histories of current events and made copies of old literature. The focus of art also changed during the Han dynasty. Wealthy families commissioned products made of the best quality silk and wall carvings featuring scenes of everyday life.

Han Wudi

The most important Han Emperor. Expanded the Empire in all directions. Created the Civil Service System. Established Public Schools; Martial Emperor of Han; he developed a system for choosing officials by testing; this system was supposed to help anyone with the right skills get a job with the government.

Why were only expensive goods carried on the Silk Road?

The trip over the Silk Road was expensive because it was dangerous and difficult. Merchants had to pay taxes to many kingdoms as they moved goods east and west. For this reason they carried only high priced goods such as silk, spices, tea and porcelain.

How did the invention of the rudder influence China?

This was a new way to move ships. This invention allowed ships to sail into the wind for the first time. Chinese merchant ships could now travel to the island of Southeast Asia and into the Indian Ocean. As a result, China established trade as far away as India and the Mediterranean Sea.

What put an end to the Han dynasty?

Wars, rebellions and plots against the emperor. In 190 AD a rebel army attacked the Han capital, Louyang. The collapse of the government and beginning of the civil war frightened many Chinese, they felt unsafe.

Emperor Qin Shihuangdi

____________________of the Qin Dynasty unified all China and created the Great Wall to protect it., followed Legalism

Silk Road

a route between the Roman Empire and China, so called because silk was China's most valuable product. this road was a large network of trade routes stretching 4,000 miles from western China to southwest Asia.

Liu Bang

helped overthrow Qin dynasty, 1st emperor of the Han dynasty, was born a peasant and worked way up to emperor

Acupuncture

treatment of pain or disease by inserting the tips of needles at specific points on the skin