Zhou Dynasty (1029-258 B.C.E)

1
Zhou Dynasty (1029-258 B.C.E)

• Expanded the territorial boundaries of China by
  seizing the Yangtze River valley.
• This stretch of territory, from Hwang-Ho to the
  Yangtze, became Chinas coreoften called the
  Middle Kingdom. Rich cropland.
• The Zhou did not set up a powerful central
  government, ruling instead through alliances with
  regional princes and noble families.

2
Zhou Dynasty (1029-258 B.C.E)

• This resulted in vulnerabilities to regional
  disloyalties and the dynasty ultimately declined
  when regional land-owning aristocrats solidified
  their own power base and disregarded the central
  government.
• Philosophers sought to explain the confusion.
  Confucious became the most important. Social and
  political philosophy became an important doctrine
  in the Qin and Han dysnastys.

3
Zhou Dynasty (1029-258 B.C.E)

• Mandarin became the official state language
  providing the largest single official language
  group in the world helping establish cultural
  unity.

4
Qin Dynasty (221-202 B.C.E.)

• Centralized state rule, which eliminated local
  and regional political competitors. Brutal but
  effective emperor.
• Expanded the boundaries of China to include Hong
  Kong and north Vietnam.
• Great Wall of China, built by forced labor,
  largest construction project in history.

5
Qin Dynasty (221-202 B.C.E.)

• Leader instituted a number of innovations in
  order to build up the power of the central
  government.
• National census tax revenues and labor service.
  Standardized coinage, weights, and measures
  through the entire region.
• Very abusive.

6
Han Dynasty(202 B.C.E.-220 C.E.)

• Retained centralized administration but brutal
  repression was lightened
• Expanded territory through peace while embracing
  more territory and a far larger population.
• Peace brought prosperity to China.

7
Han Dynasty (202 B.C.E.-220 C.E.)

• Confucianism was emphasized and seen as a vital
  supplement to formal government measures shrines
  set up to worship the ancient philosopher as a
  god.
• Nomadic invasions (Huns) overturned the dynasty.

8
Civil Service Exam

• Early Han leader, Wu Ti, expanded Chinese
  territory to set up formal training based on
  Confucian philosophy for bureaucrats.
• Becomes the Scholar-Gentry class.
• If you can pass the Civil Service examination,
  based on Confucian ideals, you could become a
  bureaucrat.