The Qin and the Han Dynasties:Shi Huangdi Achievements and the Accomplishments of the Han

GROWTH OF THE CHINESE EMPIRE

The Qin Dynasty• The Warring States period splintered ancient china for over 2 centuries. Powerful kingdoms eventually developed. One of the most powerful were the Qin.• The Qin, pronounced “Chin”, were from a mountainous region in the northwest of China.• Some viewed the Qin as barbarians. They were a warrior clan who were very competent with the usage of the sword and crossbow.• They also were skilled horsemen who were known for their ruthlessness. Legend states the killing of 400,000 rivals in a battle.• Though they were fierce fighters, they also were noted for having a solid government that was efficiently run and eager to spread their rule across ancient China.

The Power of the Qin • The Qin used their strong government and powerful army to conquer their rivals one by one. • This focused plan of attack made sense. Here, they simply conquer the kingdoms in their path and continue on their path.• Legend compares the Qin to a voracious silkworm.• The Qin “ate up its neighbors as a silkworm devours a leaf.”

• The Qin unifies ancient China in 221 B.C.. The ruler who accomplished this feat felt that he was greater than the title of “king.” This leader felt that he was the “First Emperor” and refers to himself as Shi Huangdi. A title traditionally referring to gods and legendary rulers.• He holds such a great place in the history of this land that China itself derives its name from the Qin dynasty.

Qin Policies and Achievements• The Qin now ruling a large diverse nation, faced a series of problems. Because of the Warring States period, many kingdom developed their own languages, customs, and culture.• The Warring States Period was highly divisive. Kingdoms kept

themselves away from others and valued their own ways and customs. 200 years of isolation from others contributed to this problem.

• The threat of upheaval and instability was a common threat and invasion from Central Asia barbarians were a very real reality.• Remember that the Qin could not be everywhere at once.• The middle Kingdom’s sheer size proved to be problematic.

• Shi Huangdi was faced with these issues and he managed to accomplish the near impossible. He was able to unify all of china under one government rule.

The Great Wall of China• The Qin under Shi Huangdi continued the push for expansion.• Growth was the primary focus of this “First Emperor.”• As the size of the nation grew, Shi Huangdi realized that China

would need to be protected.• Based off of earlier protective walls, Shi Huangdi used this idea

and created one of China’s greatest architectural projects.• Within 7 years, the Qin were able to create a span of stonework

and towers that ran 2,600 miles.• The wall had a series of watchtowers that were placed along the

run of the wall. Here troops were stationed and signal fires could be utilized to warn of invasion.• This “Great Wall” cam e at a greater price. One million workers

were rumored to have perished to complete this project.• Though a deterrent, it was not foolproof. Invaders have broached

the walls and invaded China.

The Qin System of Government• Shi Huangdi based his government on the Legalist model from the earlier periods.• Here, the belief in strict laws and a strong government for enforcement would ensure the Qin order and total control of the people.• China was divided into 36 provinces and each province was divided in to counties.• County Leaders governed the small territories and the Province Heads managed the many counties. The Province heads reported to appointed government officials. These officials reported to the emperor.• Lack of commitment or violation of trust/duty, people were “dismissed.”• An example of a centralized model of government. Top down from the emperor and an appointed/trusted individual at each level.

The Qin System of Government• In addition to the Legalist practices, Shi Huangdi made certain that no chance of rebellion could occur. • He relocated nobles or others with power to other regions of the territory.• Though this sounds extreme, it made sense. No chance for anyone to forge alliances to plot against him. Their relocation placed these persons in provinces under Shi Huangdi’s control. • Under the watchful eyes of his officials and army, dissension amongst the people was squashed.• A uniform code of laws that was implemented across the empire. ALL citizens, nobles and commoners, were made to obey.• If not, harsh punishments were doled out to the violators.• Here, Shi Huangdi embraced Legalism and fear to maintain control and order.

Shi Huangdi and Standardization• Once the governmental concerns were settled, Shi Huangdi

turned his attention to the economy and culture of this new empire.• Remember that China was comprised of peoples from differing

regions. The Qin wanted consistency across the land to ensure unity and growth.• Shi Huangdi established one single writing system with standard

characters.• A uniform system of weights and measure were created to make

engineering projects and commerce more uniform.• The Chinese even had a coin called cash, which becomes the

currency of the land.• Even transportation was standardized. Set spans for wagon/cart

axles and measures for roads were selected.• Anyone who did not agree to these standardized systems were

accused of treason.

The Qin and Censorship• Shi Huangdi wanted absolute control over the Chinese. Not only did he push for standardization he believed that all of the citizens of china should follow only the ideas and philosophies that he deemed appropriate.• Censorship becomes the mark of the Qin. Some historians assume that this was Shi Huangdi’s growing paranoia and fear of betrayal.• The Qin allowed for the following to occur:• Debate was NOT allowed. Blind acceptance of the government

was the norm.• Praise or criticism of past rulers was NOT tolerated.• Books that did not support his beliefs were burned.• Shi Huangdi had 460 scholars executed for challenging his

rule.

The Death of Shi Huangdi and the End of the Qin Dynasty

• China’s “First Emperor” was not immortal. He died in 210 B.C..• Legend states that as his rule progressed and his power grew, he became increasingly fixated on dying. He feared poisoning, betrayal by close officials and much more.• Legend also states that he built himself a burial chamber filled with treasure and other wonders. • He also filled his burial chamber with tens of thousands of carefully molded terra cotta warriors who would fight battles for him in the spirit world.• Upon his death, the Qin dynasty was only able to hold onto power for another three years.

Who Were the Hans?Liu Bang and the Early Han

• Upon the fall of the Qin, several years of fighting occurred.• A rebel leader named Liu Bang managed to seize control of the territory in 206 B.C. and founds the Han Dynasty.• The Chinese refer to themselves as the “people of the Han.”• Legend states that Liu Bang came from a life of poverty.• He was encouraged to study with Confucianist scholars to learn how to govern in the traditional manner. • Because of this foundation, Liu Bang was able to put into place a government that still standardized Chinese life but followed the way of Confucius.• Under Liu Bang, education was emphasized, taxes were lowered, punishments were reduced, censorship was ended and the population and economy both grew.

Who were the Hans?Wudi and Zhang Qian

• 140 B.C., 16 year old boy named Liu Che assumes power and becomes the sixth emperor of the Han. He changes his name to Wudi and rules for more than 50 years.• Wudi is thought to be the greatest emperors of Chinese history.• Wudi pushed troops into what is now Vietnam and Korea. Both

cultures borrowed elements from the Chinese BUT managed to stay free from Chinese control.• Wudi’s main purpose was to destroy the invading Xiongnu, or

HUNS. Though Liu Bang tried diplomacy, Wudi declared war against the Xiongnu.• Wudi sends the official Zhang Qian to find the Yuezhi, enemies

of the Xiongnu.• Zhang Qian reports on the ferocity and skill of the Xiongnu and

could not persuade the Yuezhi to ally themselves with the Han.• Zhang Qian also explores Southwest Asia and reports on the

“silk road.”

Han Government• The Han model of government was based on the pyramid. • This was a TOP down system where the Emperor sat atop this pyramid along with his chief advisers.• Provinces, Counties and Districts all fell in place under the Emperor with governing officials at each appropriate level.• Orders were taken from those above and given to those in the subordinate positions.• Civil Service was a major component of Han government.• The Han wanted the BEST qualified persons to work for the emperor. Here, education and competency tests allowed people to secure positions.• The civil Service of the Han Dynasty had more than 130,000 officials.• Civil Service workers were rewarded for their expertise and commitment with high salaries and a comfortable life.

Han Society and Social Order• The Han Dynasty was highly successful, at its peak it had a population that swelled to 60 million people.• Han society was a blending of different peoples and cultures. Standardization and a strong government kept it in order.• Han Society was divided into two groups. Nobles and commoners.• Nobles were the emperor, his family and the older ruling families of the old kingdom.• The Han valued Confucianist ideology so they placed high regard and value on the scholars.• Farmers represented physical labor and work ethic. These people toiled to keep the nation fed and alive, so they held the center of the order.• Merchants were simply chasing money so they sat on the bottom of the social order.

Women in the Han Dynasty•Women played a traditional role within the Han Dynasty. The Han followed the old ways and this kept women in the role of wife, mother, caretaker.• The Confucianist believed that a woman was a subordinate to the man. Here, obedience to her husband and family was the suggested path.• Ban Zhao was a woman who did not follow the traditional path for women. She received an education and became a teacher and historian. • She also was an accomplished writer. Her book, Lessons for Women, posed the question that young women deserved to have an education YET still follow the traditions established within a Chinese family’s home.

The Achievements of the Han• The Han were noted for their strong government, military genius and adherence to traditional values. BUT they also were a dynasty marked by great achievement and innovation in the fields of art, music, science, and more.• The Han created a Bureau of Music to align themselves with the Confucianist belief that music was good for the spirit. Common instruments of the period were drums, bells, flutes and harps.• Two artforms that were steeped in tradition were garden design and calligraphy. Garden design was to tie the Chinese back to nature. Calligraphy was used to express the emotions and soul of the artist.• The Han also advanced the field of science. Astronomy and medicine were two fields that the Han greatly influenced.• Distinctly Chinese inventions were: the Seismograph, the wheelbarrow, and paper.