Here are the years of China's major dynasties:

Shang Dynasty (1523-1028 BC)

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.

Zhou Dynasty (1028-256 BC)

The Zhou Dynasty is probably considered the intellectual dynasty of China. Within this dynasty many concepts that formed and still identify China originated. At the top of the intellectual list is Confucius (551-479 BC). Confucius is considered a great teacher and intellectual giant. Many people think that Confucius started a religion, but rather his teachings are a philosophy. The reason why people believe that Confucius started a religion is because the major eastern religions incorporated his ideals and teachings into their day to day application.

Confucius saw himself as a teacher and historian. He was not a great public speaker. He taught those who wished his knowledge. It was his disciples that expanded his teachings. His two most famous disciples are Mencius (370-300 BC) and Xunzi (310-215 BC).

MenciusXunzi

 

Mencius was a lot like Confucius and saw mankind in a more positive light. He would instruct and teach the same way the Confucius did. Xunzi on the other hand was different. He had a belief that man could learn to act live properly through ritual and education.

The concept of Legalism also emerged during this dynasty. Legalism is the belief that government and society work properly through strict laws and a strict adherence to the laws.

The warlord Sun Tzu (453-403 BC) wrote his famous masterpiece, The Art of War. It is widely read today in various parts of the world. People from all walks of life incorporate his plans for war into their professional lives.

The warlords of China also created their own code of chivalry. Three of their more important codes to follow were to not wage war during a time of mourning; to let the enemy have a chance to prepare troops for battle; and if defeated the ruling houses of the state were not to be destroyed.

 

Ch'in Dynasty (221-206 BC)

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.

Ch'in Bonus

Ch'in Bonus Worksheet

Han Dynasty (202 BC- 220 AD)

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.

Liu Bang is the first emperor of the Han Dynasty, he is referred to as Emperor Gaozu. In terms of warfare, the Han developed the crossbow and also the rapid fire crossbow. It was also in this dynasty that the Silk Road first developed.

The silk road developed during the reign of Emperor Wu. The Huns of Europe originated in Asia. They were called the Xiongnu. They were nomadic so it was difficult for the Chinese government to pin them down. Emperor Wu incorporated the help of local tribes and villages with trade agreements to help push the Xiongnu out of China (and out of Asia). This was the beginning of the Silk Road since it expanded to the west and the rest of the world.

Song Dynasty (960-1280 AD)

The first emperor of the Song Dynasty, General Taizu (960-976) help stabilize a region and time period in China were multiple warlords were competing for power. Within this dynasty certain advancements occurred.

The printing blocks and movable type were developed. They were the first to use paper money as currency.

The Song Dynasty also perfected the magnetic compass. The were the first to used gunpowder for festivals and eventually war. This also means they were the first to used gunpowder for handguns, missiles, and other weapons like the flamethrower.

Paper making was also perfected during this time period.

 

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

 

Emperor Hong Wu was one of the most violent emperors in the history of China. He had many people killed including his prime minister because the prime minister was plotting to have him assassinated. You might say that happens all the time. However, Hong Wu not only killed the prime minister but his entire extended family. The death toll was 40,000 people!!

Upon his death Hong Wu had 38 sons and 18 daughters. He had 38 concubines killed and placed in his tomb to serve him in the afterlife.

 

 

 

This was the only time the Chinese explored outside of their region. The years of exploration were between 1405-1433. The Admiral of the Chinese Navy was Zheng He. They sailed on the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and also entered the Atlantic Ocean. They were called back to China after the death of Zheng He and the entire fleet was destroyed. China never pushed the boundaries of their country after this.

 

The Mandate of Heaven

This was NOT created in the Han dynasty. The Mandate of Heaven was a belief that the right ruler came from the gods. A Chinese ruler was considered a Son of Heaven. They were able to rule as long as the gods were pleased with their actions. This was called the Dynastic cycle. Every dynasty follows this cycle, some are a little quicker than others.

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:


A new dynasty replaces the old dynasty and the cycle of the Mandate of Heaven starts again.