Qin Chin Dynasty 221 206 B C E
Qin [Ch’in] Dynasty, 221 -206 B. C. E. z Established China’s first empire z Shi Huangdi z Legalist rule – Built large section of the Great Wall
Han Dynasty, 206 B. C. E. -220 C. E. z Silk Road trade develops; improves life for many z Buddhism introduced into China z Expanded into Central Asia
Han – Roman Empire Connection
Nearly 400 years of division… z Division and instability leads to the spread of Buddhism as people look for comfort and stability z Similar to spread of Christianity following fall of Rome
Sui Dynasty, 581 -618 C. E. z Grand Canal constructed. z Established an army of professional soldiers. Ø People were overworked and overtaxed!
The Grand Canal Eventually stretching 1, 104 miles!
Tang Dynasty, 618 -907 C. E. z Imperial examination system perfected. z Liberal attitude towards all religions. Ø Spread of Buddhism in China z Golden Ageof art and diplomacy with other countries. Ø Japan, Korea, Persia
Tang Dynasty, 618 -907 C. E. z New technologies: – Printing moveable print – Porcelain – Gunpowder – Mechanical clocks z More cosmopolitan culture. z Reestablished the safety of the Silk Road. z Tea comes into China from Southeast Asia.
Empress Wu Zetian z The only female Empress in China’s history who ruled alone. z Buddhism was the favored state religion. Financed the building of many Buddhist temples. z BUT… She appointed cruel and sadistic ministers to seek out her enemies. Ø
Foot-Binding in Tang China • Broken toes by 3 years of age. v Size 5 ½ shoe on the right
Foot-Binding in Tang China Mothers bound their daughters’ feet.
Foot-Binding in Tang China • For upper-class girls, it became a new custom.
The Results of Foot-Binding
Song [Sung] Dynasty, 960 -1279 C. E. z Creation of an urban, merchant, middle class. z Increased emphasis on education & cheaper availability of printed books. z Magnetic compass makes China a great sea power!
Song Peasant Family
Rice Cultivation Began Under the Song
“Terraced” Rice Cultivation
The Mongols Take Over!
Mongolian Steppes
Xinjiang Region – Typical [Mongol] “Yurt”
Mongol Invasions
Mongol Warriors
Mongol Archer
Gold Saddle – Mongols, 13 c
Gold Saddle, Front View – Mongols, 13 c
The MONGOLS z Temujin -->Genghis (Chinggis) Khan [“Universal Ruler”] – 1162 - 1227 – from thesteppe[dry, grass-covered plains of Central Asia]
The MONGOLS z Genghis Khan’s Tax Laws: – If you do not pay homage, we will take your prosperity. – If you do not have prosperity, we will take your children. – If you do not have children, we will take your wife. – If you do not have a wife, we will take your head. z Used cruelty as a weapon some areas never recovered from Mongol destruction!
Robe of a Mongol Nobleman, early 14 c
Yuan Golden Bowl, 13 c
The Extent of the Mongol Empire
• Following the death of Chinggis Khan, his sons continued to expand the empire • But in 1241, internal quarrels brought Mongol expansion to a halt • 4 separate “kahnates” • Mongols get absorbed by the people and cultures they conquer
Yuan (Mongol) Dynasty, 1279 -1368 C. E. z Kublai Khan [r. 1260 -1294] – Pax Mongolica [“Mongol Peace”] • Tolerated Chinese culture but lived apart from them. • Enforced a caste system with Mongols at the top and southern Chinese at the bottom • No Chinese in top govt. posts. • Believed foreigners were more trustworthy. • Encouraged foreign trade & foreign merchants to live and work in China. ü Marco Polo
Marco Polo (1254 -1324) z A Venetian merchant. z Traveled through Yuan China: 1271 -1295 – “Black Stones” [coal] – Gunpowder. – Noodles.
Marco Polo’s Travels
Yuan Dynasty, 1279 -1368 z The Black Plague was spread by the Mongols in the mid-14 c. z Populations plummet! z Sent fleets against Japan. – 1281 150, 000 warriors – Defeated bykamikazi [“divine wind or winds of the gods”]
Kamikazi Winds Save Japan!
China’s last native imperial dynasty! By 1368, Uprisings by southern peasants led to the rise of the Ming dynasty
Ming Dynasty, 1368 -1644 C. E. z Chinese Art – Moderation – Softness – Gracefulness z z Hundreds of thousands of workers constructed the Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City: China’s New Capital
Revived the Civil Service Exam
Ming Cultural Revolution z Printing & Literacy Ø Cheap, popular books: § woodblock printing. § cheap paper. Examination system. Ø Leads to explosion in literacy. Ø z Culture & Art Ø Increased literacy leads to increased interest in cultural expressions, ideas, and things: § § Literature. Painting. Ceramics. Opera.
Ming Porcelain / Ceramics, 17 c– 18 c
Ming Vases, 18 c
Ming Painting – “Birds and Flowers”, 16 c Ming Scroll Painting “Travellers in Autumn Mountains”
Admiral Zheng He z Ming “Treasure Fleet” Ø Each ship 400’ long & 160’ wide 1371 -1435
Admiral Zheng He’s Voyages z The largest ships ever built up to that time (450 ft long) z Each voyage consisted of over 60 ships and nearly 30, 000 men z To Calicut in India and the trading posts in East Africa Giraffe sent as a gift to Emperor Yung Lo by the Sultan of Malindi (modern day
• In 1433, the Emperor terminated these great ocean voyages • The ships destroyed • All overseas trade and travel was forbidden Could they have “discovered” America?
Admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho)
The Tribute System
Ming Silver Market z Spanish Silver Convoys Triangle route: § Philippines to China to Japan. Ø Silver floods Chinese Market: § Causes devaluation of currency & recession § Adds to reasons for Chinese immigration overseas. § Reduces price of Chinese goods in Europe § Increases interest in Chinese culture & ideas in Europe. Ø Ø Helps fund conquest of New World Ø Encourages Europeans in conquest & trade.
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