Zhou Dynasty
2nd dynasty of China
Warring States Period
Downfall of the Zhou dynasty
Qin Dynasty
Emperor Shi Huangdi emerged from the Warring States Period victorious
Qin Legalism
He believes that humans are selfish and destructive and in order to society to remain in order strict laws with harsh punishments are needed
Qin Technology
Weights, measures, coins, laws, writing, and axle length were standardized
Fall of the Qin
Extensive use of forced labor, excessive taxation, and the Severity of Legalism caused people to rebel shortly after the death of Shi Huangdi
Han Dynasty
During this dynasty, China was marked by its advanced government, trade, and technology
Civil Service Exam
Chinese emperors added thousands government workers, called bureaucrats, to collect taxes, enforce laws, and oversees building projects
Han Technology
Chinese technology became advanced, especially silk and paper
Fall of the Han
Bureaucratic corruption and infighting
Zhou Dynasty
Introduced fundamental elements of Chinese governance including the Mandate of Heaven and the basic beliefs of Confucianism Filial piety, relationships, and duty
Warring States Period
Relied on a system of feudalism to administer the empire
Qin Dynasty
The Warring states Period led Shi Huangdi to create a new governing philosophy known as Legalism
Qin Legalism
Shi Huangdi built a highly centralized bureaucracy around these beliefs and is credited with unifying China politically, economically, and culturally
Qin Technology
State directed the construction of roads and canals
Han Dynasty
They controlled a larger Chinese empire & opened China to trade
Civil Service Exam
In order to gain one of the 130,000 government jobs, citizens had to pass a civil service exam
Han Technology
Paper made books cheaper and increased literacy in China
Fall of the Han
Food shortages & epidemic disease
Warring States Period
Seven warring states tried to gain control of the Chinese Empire
Qin Technology
Work began on the Great Wall of China
Han Dynasty
Han emperors built a powerful army & expanded into Asia to form China's first empire
Civil Service Exam
Exams were based on the teachings of Confucius, teachings of Legalism were not as enforced
Han Technology
Effective tax collection system, postal service, roads & canals, defensive walls
Fall of the Han
Banditry
Warring States Period
Allowed for another dynasty to claim the Mandate of Heaven and rule
Qin Technology
Land reforms broke up the power of the feudal landlords
Han Technology
Horse collar & better irrigation for farming
Fall of the Han
Pressure from nomadic invaders along the northern border