Ancient China Dynasties and Achievements Shi Huangdi n

Ancient China Dynasties and Achievements

Shi Huangdi n Ruler who united all kingdoms n China’s first emperor n Ruled the Qin (chin) Dynasty

Shi Huangdi was a harsh ruler. n Arrogant: – Buried with 6000 life-sized statues of soldiers & horses to keep watch at his tomb

Shi Huangdi’s Harsh Rule Continued – Boasted his empire would last 10, 000 years. It lasted 15. n Burned books. n Outlawed teachings of Confucius.

Shi Huangdi Accomplishments n Unified a type of currency (money) n Created a system of common weights/measurements n Put farmers to work building roads

Shi Huangdi n Ordered the existing walls along the border be connected to form Great Wall of China built to keep out Mongol invaders.

Han Dynasty n Liu Bang emperor n Set up a stable government that lasted 400 years.

Liu Bang Accomplishments n Less harsh than Shi Huangdi n Set up civil service system based on teachings of Confucius

Wudi n Great grandson of Liu Bang n Han Dynasty reached its greatest power under him. – Strengthened the army – Strengthened the Great Wall

Achievements n Silk Road – an ancient trade route between China and Europe n 4000 miles long (6400 km!)

Silk Road n Challenging route!

Silk n Valuable cloth made in China from silkworms. n Method? Ancient Chinese secret! n Each trader charged more as he sold it to the next. Very expensive!

Silk

Achievements in Art Architecture

Achievements in Art n Silk weaving n Bronze working n Architecture n Poetry and history n Jade carving

Achievements in Medicine n Acupuncture – the treatment of disease using needles

Achievements in Medicine n Herbal remedies n Circulatory System

Achievements in Technology n Paper made from wood pulp

Achievements in Technology iron plow rudder

Achievements in Technology seismoscope

Technology compass wheelbarrow