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Chapter 2: China. AP World History. The Dynastic Cycle. A family of Kings would start its rule with great vigor. Develop strong community Active economy Dynasty grows weaker, tax revenues decline Social divisions increased Internal rebellions Invasions - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Chapter 2: China
AP World History
The Dynastic Cycle• A family of Kings would start its rule
with great vigor.– Develop strong community– Active economy
• Dynasty grows weaker, tax revenues decline– Social divisions increased– Internal rebellions– Invasions
• Another Dynasty emerges, usually from the family of a successful general, invader, or peasant rebel.
• Pattern starts anew…
Zhou Dynasty• Lasted from 1029-258 BCE
– Flourished only until about 700 BCE
• Replaces the RVC of the Shang• Never really develops a strong central
government…regional alliances– Feudal
• Rulers depend on a network of loyalties and obligations to and from their landlord vassals.
• Power is LOST when the regional aristocrats solidify their own powerbase, ignoring the central government.
Zhou Dynasty
Zhou Dynasty
• Usually divided into two time periods, Western, then Eastern. – Eastern is more Feudal
• Developed and maintained China’s “core” territory from the Huanghe to the Yangtze, referred to as the “Middle Kingdom.”
• Wheat grown in the north, Rice in the south
• Zhou rulers use the mandate of heaven to claim right to rule from the Shang
• Promote the unity of Mandarin Chinese
Confucius
• Late 6th and early 5th century BCE saw the rise of Confucius’ philosophy…a complex set of political ethics which would become the core of Chinese philosophy.
• The Era of Warring States: – 402 BCE to 201 BCE
Qin Dynasty• Qin Shi Huangdi, or First Emperor takes control of China.– He was a regional
ruler during Warring States
– Deposes the final Zhou Emperor
• Brutal Ruler (but effective)– Problem lay with
the power of Chinese Aristocracy (land owners, etc.)
Qin Dynasty
• He ordered nobles to his palace and took control of their estates.– Control as far as Hong Kong and
influenced the development of Vietnam
• Orders a National Census– Data for tax revenues
• Standardizes weights/measures and coinage– Even the length of axles on carts
• Promoted Agriculture/irrigation/manufacturing (silk)
• Burned books…thinking was subversive to his autocratic rule
Qin Dynasty
• Builds Great Wall of China (does most work on it)– 3000 Miles– The top is wide
enough for carts
Qin Dynasty
• Somewhat short-lived– High taxes– Legalism: singular
punishment for most crimes
• When the Emperor died in 210 BCE, massive revolts broke out by aggrieved peasants
Tomb of Shi Huangdi
Han Dynasty
• Kept the Centralized rule of the Qin, but sought to reduce the oppression
• Expands Chinese territory into Korea, Indochina, and central Asia
• Conducted trade with Parthian Empire in the Middle East, through which the Chinese traded with the Romans
Han Dynasty
• Most Famous ruler…Wu Ti (Wudi) rules from 140-87 BCE– Encouraged
peace within the empire
– Brought prosperity to China
Han Dynasty
• Seen as a “Golden Age” of Chinese Culture and development
• Government was linked to formal Confucian training– Urged support for Confucianism (unlike Qin)
• Quality of Han rule declines after about two centuries– Central control weakens– Nomads…the Huns threaten China’s borders
• 220-589 CE: China was in a state of Chaos