QIN DYNASTY FIRST DYNASTY IN CHINA 221 BCE

SHI HUANGDI “FIRST EMPEROR” • The ONLY Qin ruler • Governed by principles of Legalism • Uniform law code • A strong central government and bureaucracy to rule the vast empire – Basic structure remained unchanged until 20 th century • Rule of avoidance • Terra cotta warriors

SHI HUANGDI “FIRST EMPEROR” • Construction of roads, bridges, and canals • Standardization of money, measurement, and writing script • Connection and construction of the Great Wall • The only manmade object visible from orbiting satellites • Control of thought by burning Confucius writings and burying alive Confucian scholars

DECLINE OF QIN • Shi Huangdi died in 210 B. C. E • Power struggle broke out among the generals of the Qin army • Liu Bang won and established the Han Dynasty • Terra Cotta Warriors – In 1974, a farmer digging a well broke into the tomb of Shi Huangdi – An army of life-sized terra cotta soldiers and chariots and horses

EVALUATING SHI HUANGDI • How would you evaluate Shi Huangdi? • Did Shi Huangdi improve China?

HAN DYNASTY 206 B. C. — 200 A. D.

GALLERY WALK As you learn about the Han Dynasty, fill out the appropriate row in the Golden Ages Graphic Organizer.

EXHIBIT C: SILK- A VALUABLE PRODUCT IN CHINA AND EUROPE • Silk making video American Museum of Natural History Video on Silk Making

EXHIBIT D: PAPER AND PAPER MAKING • Watch this Video Clip from China: The Dragon’s Ascent on the process and history of papermaking and Hello China’s Video on Chinese Paper.

EXHIBIT E: COMPASS • Watch Hello China- Compass Video and Han Dynasty Compass videos and read the information below.

HAN DYNASTY • Founder: Liu Bang • Han marked the height of ancient China’s power and wealth • Existed at the same time as the Roman Empire • Territories included Southeast Asia, northern Korea, southern Manchuria and Central Asia

• Civil service examination --> Confucian texts as the base • Trade – Frequent contact with Persia, India, and Rome – Silk road: silk, spices, and ideas cultural diffusion • Technology – Lacquerware – Cai Lun learned to make paper from cloth, rope and bark fibers in 105 A. D. – Improvement in making iron tools and weapons – Scientists deigned the first form of mapmaking

DECLINE OF HAN DYNASTY • Border attacks by barbarians • Economic inequality peasant revolts • Rise of local rulers (warlords) • The last Han emperor gave up his throne in 220 A. D. • Han dynasty broke into three rival kingdoms