Changes

=== Imperial China ===

=== Imperial China ===

The first imperial or national Chinese dynasty was the Qin or Ch’in dynasty (221-206 B.C.), which was founded by the ruler of the Zhou vassal state Qin, Prince Zheng.  The Qin dynasty was superb in battle, using chariots and iron weaponry, and that enabled Prince Zheng to conquer all the Chinese states and unify the country.  The Qin dynasty built many internal improvements, such as roads, canals and irrigation, using iron and bronze tools.  It was the Qin dynasty that began to construct the Great Wall, which stretches today for 1,400 miles.  China has always feared and been threatened by foreign invaders, and the wall was a way to defend itself by augmenting the natural protections of geography.  It is from “Qin” that the name “China” is derived.  But the Qin dynasty’s highly legalistic approach to governing eventually led to rebellion.

The first imperial or national Chinese dynasty was the Qin or Ch'in dynasty (221-206 B.C.), which was founded by the ruler of the Zhou vassal state Qin, Prince Zheng.  The Qin dynasty was superb in battle, using chariots and iron weaponry, and that enabled Prince Zheng to conquer all the Chinese states and unify the country.  The Qin dynasty built many internal improvements, such as roads, canals and irrigation, using iron and bronze tools.  It was the Qin dynasty that began to construct the Great Wall, which stretches today for 1,400 miles.  China has always feared and been threatened by foreign invaders, and the wall was a way to defend itself by augmenting the natural protections of geography.  It is from "Qin" that the name "China" is derived.  But the Qin dynasty's highly legalistic approach to governing eventually led to rebellion.

The Han empire or dynasty (206 B.C. to A.D 220, with only a brief interruption from A.D. 6-23) built on the foundation of the Qin dynasty - literally.  The walls and roads were extended and improved during this period.  Liu Bang was the first Han ruler, and he imposed a centralized government that was stable for many years.  Empress Lu was a woman who seized power from 195-180 B.C. and then installed her sons as emperors while they were still infants.  Han Wudi (141-87 B.C.) was the longest serving Han ruler.  He was known for appointing efficient provincial administrators.

The Han empire or dynasty (206 B.C. to A.D 220, with only a brief interruption from A.D. 6-23) built on the foundation of the Qin dynasty - literally.  The walls and roads were extended and improved during this period.  Liu Bang was the first Han ruler, and he imposed a centralized government that was stable for many years.  Empress Lu was a woman who seized power from 195-180 B.C. and then installed her sons as emperors while they were still infants.  Han Wudi (141-87 B.C.) was the longest serving Han ruler.  He was known for appointing efficient provincial administrators.

The Han dynasty expanded the territory of China into Vietnam and Korea, and administered justice to the country from a centralized and organized civil service.  This was the most significant of all Chinese dynasties, and is compared by historians to the Pax Romana period in the Roman empire.  The Han dynasty valued education highly, and even created a scholar class of people known as “shi”.  Historians criticize the Han dynasty, however, for treating women in an inferior manner.

The Han dynasty expanded the territory of China into Vietnam and Korea, and administered justice to the country from a centralized and organized civil service.  This was the most significant of all Chinese dynasties, and is compared by historians to the Pax Romana period in the Roman empire (which we will discuss in the next lecture).  The Han dynasty valued education highly, and even created a scholar class of people known as "shi".  Historians criticize the Han dynasty, however, for treating women in an inferior manner.

The Han dynasty developed the famous Silk Road: 5,000 miles of interconnected roads linking China to the Mediterranean region, which enabled trade in silk and fine goods to greatly increase.  Buddhism spread widely along the Silk Road, promoted both by traders and Buddhist monks, and reached China in A.D. 100.  A new religion designed to appeal to merchants, Manichaeism (named after its founder Mani (A.D. 216-272)), also spread to Turkish nomads by teaching self-denial and acceptance of both Buddha and Jesus as prophets.   

The Han dynasty developed the famous Silk Road: 5,000 miles of interconnected roads linking China to the Mediterranean region, which enabled trade in silk and fine goods to greatly increase.  Buddhism spread widely along the Silk Road, promoted both by traders and Buddhist monks, and reached China in A.D. 100.  A new religion designed to appeal to merchants, Manichaeism (named after its founder Mani (A.D. 216-272)), also spread to Turkish nomads by teaching self-denial and acceptance of both Buddha and Jesus as prophets.   

Trade flourished on the Silk Road, which China used to transport silk, spices gems, wine, cosmetics and even grain to the Mediterranean.  By land the traders carrying the goods included all groups in the Middle East; by sea the Malay sailors mastered the tricky monsoon wind patterns.  The Silk Road was influential from 150 B.C. to A.D. 900.  Perhaps one might compare its enormous influence to the internet today!  Today, an important railway runs along a common route which was part of the silk road.

Trade flourished on the Silk Road, which China used to transport silk, spices gems, wine, cosmetics and even grain to the Mediterranean.  By land the traders carrying the goods included all groups in the Middle East; by sea the Malay sailors mastered the tricky monsoon wind patterns.  The Silk Road was influential from 150 B.C. to A.D. 900.  Perhaps one might compare its enormous influence to the internet today!  Today, an important railway runs along a common route which was part of the silk road.

   

   

The state philosophy of the Han dynasty was Confucianism.  Technology advanced during this time, as did the arts.  Paper, porcelain, the compass, the rudder, the seismograph and possibly acupuncture were all invented under the Han dynasty.  Detailed historical records were maintained.  Most Chinese people were farmers, but China’s discovery of iron enabled it to develop some highly profitable manufacturing trade.

The state philosophy of the Han dynasty was Confucianism.  Technology advanced during this time, as did the arts.  Paper, porcelain, the compass, the rudder, the seismograph and possibly acupuncture were all invented under the Han dynasty.  Detailed historical records were maintained.  Most Chinese people were farmers, but China's discovery of iron enabled it to develop some highly profitable manufacturing trade.

The Han dynasty declined, in a similar fashion to the decline and fall of the Roman empire, though a bit earlier.  Historians cite the same reasons for the decline of both empires:  too vast an empire to administer and keep together, invasions by barbarians, hardship caused by the spread of disease and poor harvests, and overall economic failure.  In both cases, leaders of the armies gained power as the empires declined, but the generals could not save the empires.

The Han dynasty declined, in a manner similar to the decline and fall of the Roman empire, though a bit earlier.  Historians cite the same reasons for the decline of both empires:  too vast an empire to administer and keep together, invasions by barbarians, hardship caused by the spread of disease and poor harvests, and overall economic failure.  In both cases, leaders of the armies gained power as the empires declined, but the generals could not save the empires.

But historians credit both the Han dynasty and the Roman empire with lasting contributions to the world:  roads and, for a while, peace and prosperity.  The Han dynasty left us with paper, a greater emphasis on education, and the marvelous Silk Road.  The Roman empire left us with a system of laws, a powerful language (Latin), and the spread of Christianity.

But historians credit both the Han dynasty and the Roman empire with lasting contributions to the world:  roads and, for a while, peace and prosperity.  The Han dynasty left us with paper, a greater emphasis on education, and the marvelous Silk Road.  The Roman empire left us with a system of laws, a powerful language (Latin), and the spread of Christianity.

But just as the West fell into disorganization once Rome fell, so did China when the Han dynasty collapsed.  China was ruled by regional governments known as the Three Kingdoms (A.D. 220-280).  Many legends arose during this period, as described in a Chinese literature classic entitled, “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.”

But just as the West fell into disorganization once Rome fell, so did China when the Han dynasty collapsed.  China was ruled by regional governments known as the Three Kingdoms (A.D. 220-280).  Many legends arose during this period, as described in a Chinese literature classic entitled, "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms."

It was not until A.D. 589 that the Sui Dynasty arose to reestablish centralized government.  Subsequently the longer Tang and Song Dynasties ruled China also.

It was not until A.D. 589 that the Sui Dynasty arose to reestablish centralized government.  Subsequently the longer Tang and Song Dynasties ruled China also.