Here are the years of China's major dynasties:
| Shang | 1523 BC-1028 BC |  |
| Zhou | 1028 BC-256 BC |  |
| Ch'in | 221 BC-206 BC |  |
| Han | 206 BC-220 AD |  |
| Time of Chaos |  |
|
| Sui | 581-618 AD |  |
| Tang | 618-907 AD |  |
| Five Dynasties |  |
|
| Song | 960-1280 AD |  |
| Yuan | 1280-1368 AD |  |
| Ming | 1368-1644 AD |  |
| Qing | 1644-1912 AD |  |
It is considered the first recognized dynasty of China. Some scholars say the Xia dynasty is the first, but there is an on going debate over that fact.
During this time, the Chinese alphabet started to be developed. There were nearly 25,000 characters within the alphabet during the Shang Dynasty.
Oracle bones were used to tell the future. Hip bones from cows and other large animals were used. The oracle would take the bone and write the question on it. They would then place the bone in the fire. After a set period of time, the bone would be read by it's cracks and burn marks.
Slavery was permitted within the empire. It is the same old song and dance, you win and you're happy, you lose in war; you are either dead, enslaved, or taxed heavily. Sometimes all three would happen, or a combination.
Feudalism developed during this time period. This is very significant because feudalism was a common local practice until 1912 AD. There were no knights or castles; just the concept of being tied to the land and a never ending line of people that were better than you.
This is the last dynasty that permitted human sacrifices, or the grosser practice of cannibalism. Both were religious in nature. I don't know much about the cannibalism, but the common ways of human sacrifice were to either push the victim over a cliff, or chop their head off.
China also had the same idea of a farmer/soldier just like the Romans. The Romans did not copy this from the Chinese. The Chinese didn't come into contact with Europe until the 1300's through Marco Polo.
Just like any dynasty, all good things must come to an end. The peasants eventually revolted over high taxes and sided with a general that promised them a better life. The name of the general was Zhou. He also had a great recipe for chicken that is still enjoyed today.
China is named after this dynasty. For being such a small time period, the first
emperor of China accomplished a lot.
Sometimes you will see the name of the emperor spelled different ways. The most common spellings outside of the one you already know is Qin or Shi Huanghi
Whatever way you slice it, the first emperor was PARANOID !! He did have his softer side because he was every bit cruel and brutal. Here are his paranoia's in no particular order:
1. Built Great Wall of China: The wall was built to keep people out as much as in. Ch'in feared that wealthy warlords would train troops in the Gobi Desert, and then attack him.
2. Coined money: Money was officially standardized because he wanted to be able to track all accounts. If there was currency that he could not track, he believed that money was being used to train an army to overthrow him.
3. Noble were kept in the capital: Ch'in made all the nobles live in the capital city so that he could keep an eye on them. He believed that if they had the chance to live else where, they would secretly find a way to overthrow him.
4. Wore disguises at parties: Since nobles enjoyed drinking and socializing, most
talk of revolt would start in social gatherings. By going to parties in disguise,
he would incite people to talk badly about him, and then the next day he would
have them executed.
5. Killed nobles: Regardless of proof, it he felt someone
was against him, he would have them killed. 6. Standard weights and measures:
Taxes come from money earned and bought. The government would tax the people on
the weight of the materials sold. Ch'in believed that if scales were incorrect,
the money that they were pocketing would be used for building an army to revolt
against him. 7. Standard language: The Chinese language was standardized because
there were so many variations. Ch'in believed that if he could read a message,
or understand a conversation, they were using the language to plot to kill him.
Therefore, if you were caught doing this you were a traitor and then killed.
8. Burned Books: Any books that taught against government philosophy would be
burned. Ch'in believed if the thought is not planted in your head, you can't react
to it. 9. Killed Teachers and Priests: Not my favorite. Teachers would be killed
if they strayed away from government policy. Priests were killed if they told the
people killing was wrong even for the government.
10. Confucianism is banned:
This religion is very relaxing and non-aggressive. This is against the Ch'in government.
Warlords like to kill, soldiers must be willing to kill when ordered to do so.
Ask Socrates where this stance got him in Ancient Greece.
11. Improved Roads:
Roads were maintained to make sure Ch'in' army could move to protect him at any
given moment. 12. Taxes: Tax collectors were redistributed. Too many collectors
ran the risk of corruption. If they were able to be bought, then money was out
there that could be used to train an army to kill him. The fewer collectors meant
that Ch'in could control them easier.
13. Emperor's Seal: To make sure that
no fake orders could be made, a soldier did not have to follow an order unless
it had the Emperor's seal. This would prevent moving soldiers so an assassination
or coup could not take place.
14. Tomb of the Terra Carta Warriors: Ch'in upset
so many people when he was alive, he believed that they were waiting for him on
the other side. So, he had an army of soldiers made of terra carta to protect
him in the afterlife.
15. Standardized Government Exams: You had to be intelligent to work of Ch'in. He did no believe in giving jobs just because a relative held that post. If you had too many incompetent workers, then the chance of assassination or incompetence would become greater.
After Ch'in died, his son took control of the government. However, they revolted against him and killed him. The Han Dynasty was a very productive time in Chinese history. Here are a few of their accomplishments:
The Han dynasty was called the Golden Age of China because of all the positive and peaceful advancements. Towards the end of this dynasty, the Roman Empire was at their height around 117 AD
Way
of Life Bonus
Way
of Life Bonus Worksheet
Nearly 60,000,000 people live in China. At the same time, all of Europe measures at a population of 30,000,000.
The Chinese alphabet, which was over 50,000 characters is reduced.
Land is expanded, but the expansion is into the Gobi desert.
Books and Confucius' teachings are permitted again
Paper is made from trees instead of silk. This makes production of books easier and cheaper.
The Chinese create a calendar consisting of 365 1/4 days. Europe does not come up with this until the late middle ages.
The breastplate harness is made. This makes farming easier because weight of the load is placed on the chest instead of the neck.
Bamboo bridges are built in the Himalayas. Interaction with India increases because of this.
New Dynasty
The Emperor:
After several generations (if they are lucky), the dynasty becomes an aging dynasty
Aging Dynasty
The Emperor:
At this point, the dynasty has lost it's Mandate of Heaven and the gods start to show their displeasure.
Problems: