test 2 China

Qin dynasty

Qin is the state that will emerge biggest out of all the states. Only under the establishment of the Qin dynasty in 221 BCE did effective central government return to China. Only lasted for fourteen years till 207 BCE but it established the precedent of unified rule (taking independent kingdoms and uniting them into a larger Chinese society) and can be described as creating political stability but not universally well-liked. The Qin created a standardized script among all of China. Standardized laws, currencies, weights and measures, built roads, and divided China into administrative districts. Waves of rebels attacked the Qin court in 207, dissolving the Qin dynasty into chaos.

Han dynasty

Lasted more than four centuries (206 BCE-220CE) and continued the process of unification. Under the Han leaders China established a bureaucracy, instituted a formal system of Confucian education, and launched Chinese power abroad to Central Asia, northern Vietnam and northern Korea. Collapse of the Han: Problem of land distribution created rebellion. Competing factions developed at the imperial court (Confucian scholars, eunuchs, and imperial bureaucrats) and paralyzed the government. The central government collapsed and for four subsequent centuries, China collapsed into several large regional kingdoms.

Daoism

rejected the practical nature of Confucianism and actually sought withdrawal from the world and government so individuals could engage in quiet, introspective reflection. therefore a tradition in China has developed for individuals to be active Confucian bureaucrats by day and reflective Daoists by night!

Legalism

Legalism concerns a very negative view of human nature. Since humans are essentially disruptive and selfish, strict rules are needed to keep them in line. A strict system of laws (i.e. “legalism”) and punishments are needed. the strict nature of legalism actually put an end to the Period and helped unify China.

Confucianism

Period of Warring States (403-221 BCE) in which chaos and weak government pervaded China. Thus his philosophy proved attractive in the future as a way to create an ethical system to train government officials (restoring political and social order in China)

Bureaucrats (scholars)

You had to undergo terrible tests that were stressing and tiring and some people committed suicide because of them and to have all knowledge of Confucius and be really smart, you had the possibility of passing the test and becoming a bureaucrat

Period of Warring States

403 – 221 B.C. China was divided into separate states and fought over things and in order to be harmless, they needed good government officials or bureaucrats. It created a desire for people to become better for government officials.

what are two dynasties in China?

Han and Qin dynasty

Tomb of Qin Shihuangdi

It was a symbol of unified China because he was able to get all people from the whole kingdom to work for him. It also shows belief in the afterlife. Shows power and importance of the emperor

example of patriarchy in China

Confucian moralists and government authorities advocate orderly, patriarchal families

example of social disorder during the Han dynasty

There was anger over high taxes to finance armies and imperial ventures of Han Wudi