SS Chapter 5

Who united China for the first time?

The Qin king established the Qin Empire and named himself Qin Shi Huangdi, "first emperor of the qin".

What were the Analects?

A book containing the sayings most people agreed were really spoken by Confucius. The analects tell much about his ideas.

What is a bureaucracy?

A bureaucracy is a network of appointed government officials.

Why was Confucius considered to be a philosopher?

A philosopher is a person who studies the meaning of life. Confucius spent much of his time thinking of ways to improve society and restore order in China. He used short sayings to teach his ideas.

What is a seismograph?

A seismograph tells the location and strength of earthquakes.

What is the Great Wall of China, and explain why Shi Huangdi ordered it to be constructed?

A single long wall linking together the existing walls to protect the borders. The Great Wall kept invaders out of China and warned people when invasions were taking place. Soldiers on the Great Wall communicated with each other by using smoke signals during the day and fire at night.

What were the advantages and the disadvantages under China's government?

Advantages: China's civilization grew. Disadvantages: overpopulation

What kinds of weapons were used by the soldiers of Shi Huangdi?

Bronze spears, halberds (combination spear and battle-ax), swords, daggers and arrowheads.

What were the beliefs of Confucius?

Confucius thought that the use of written laws and punishments was not the best way to bring back order. He thought rulers should set a good example and be kind and caring. Confucius believed that a good society is like a family in which all members know their place and their responsibilities or duties.

Explain Daoism.

Daoism teaches that the key to long life and happiness is to accept life as it is.

What is the significance of the terra cotta soldiers?

For over 2000 years, clay warriors have been guarding the tomb of Shi Huangdi, the First Emperor of China.

What qualities did Confucius believe that rulers should have?

He taught that rulers could gain loyalty only by treating their subjects with the same love that parents show to their children. He called it ren, or kindness.

How did this ruler win the support of the people he ruled?

He won the support of the nobles by giving them land and he allowed them to rule their lands as they wished. He won over the peasant farmers by lowering taxes.

Explain the difference between import and export of goods.

Imported goods are for sale goods brought in from other lands. Exported goods are their own goods sent out for sale in other places.

What is a civil war?

In a civil war, different groups of people from the same place or country fight one another.

Explain the concept of filial piety.

In ancient China, children were expected to treat their parents with great honor and respect. The Chinese called this treatment of parents, xiao, or filial piety. He told his followers that by studying filial piety they could learn how to become loyal subjects.

Where is the Gobi Desert located? (Look on the maps on page 183.)

In northern China, north of the Great Wall

What type of rule did he have under his reign?

In place of legalism, the government of Shi Huangdi, Gaozu turned to Confucianism. Gaozu knew the importance of having the support of those he ruled.

How did the ruler die?

Invaders from the north attacked. Gaozu was wounded while defending his city. He died from his wounds in 195B.C.

Explain the concept of Legalism. Why did Qin Shi Huangdi use this idea?

Legalism is known as the strict following of laws to govern people. Shi Huangdi used both written laws and a powerful government to help him rule his empire.

Who was the founder of the Han Dynasty?

Liu Bang

When did this leader change his name and why?

Liu Bang came from a peasant background. He founded the Han dynasty in 206B.C. After claiming control of China, Liu Bang, took the name of Han Gaozu or "high ancestor"

What are public works?

Public works are structures built by the government for everyone's use.

What was the most important invention in the Han dynasty?

Paper. Paper proved to be an ideal material for recording information.

Why did Shi Huangdi appoint his own people to oversee the empire?

Shi Huangdi created a bureaucracy, a network of appointed government officials, to oversee his huge empire.

What product of the Chinese was the highest in demand?

Silk was the Chinese product most in demand. It was silk that gave the trade route its nickname of the Silk Road.

Explain the ideas of the Mandate of Heaven.

The Chinese believed that Heaven gave "the right to rule" to their emperors. When an emperor was weak or disasters occurred, the emperor was thought to have lost the Mandate of Heaven.

Explain the concept of standardization.

Standardization means making all things of a certain type alike. The use of standardized coins, weights, and writing helped make trade and communication easier throughout China. It also helped the many peoples of the empire think of themselves as one.

What 3 things were standardized under the Qin dynasty?

Standardized coins made buying and selling easier. Standardized weights helped measure like goods. There were two official kinds of Chinese standardized writing. One was used for stone carvings and special writings and one for everyday writing.

Identify the contributions of Qin Shi Huangdi.

The Great Wall, roads, canals and several new palaces.

What philosopher led Shi Huangdi to eventually burn the books of Confucius?

The most well thought out writings about legalism were done by Master Han Fei. Han Fei introduced Shi Huangdi to his thoughts on Legalism.

What did the Zhou kings believe they had to do to continue to rule?

They believed that they would be able to keep the mandate as long as they continued to show virtues, or good qualities, needed to lead the people.

Who is Lisi?

When Shi Huangdi was 20 he appointed new advisors. The most powerful was Li Si. He became prime minister in 237 B.C. Some scholars believe that Li Si deserves the credit for uniting China.

Who was Wu Di and how did he win the support of the people?

Wu Di became emperor in 140B.C. He created armies to conquer new lands, he extended the Great Wall and in some cases he paid nomads with silk, rice or money not to attack. He also sent out ambassadors, representatives of the Chinese government, to make peace with his enemies.