WHAP: Classical China

Who was the leader of the Qin Dynasty and what did he establish?

Qin Shihuangdi established centralized power (civil exams), legalism, and the building of the Great Wall of China

What was the capital of the Han Dynasty?

Chang’an

How did monsoon winds impact trade in the Indian Ocean?

They had to adapt to using dhow ships, which harnessed the wind power using lateen sails

Why were the peasants upset and provoked rebellions?

They were land and either sell out to landlords and work their land, beg or join gangs

How did Daoism influence the Yellow Turban Rebellion?

Daoism’s teachings of supernatural healings and public confessions led to the Great Peace

How did the Yellow Turban Rebellion lead to the decline of the Han Dynasty?

It weakened the state, devastated the economy and contributed to the overthrow of the dynasty

What were the social classes like in Classical China?

It was not permanent and consisted of the aristocrats, laborers, and average people with unskilled jobs

Why was trade not as valued in Classical China?

Their social classes allows them to be more self-sufficient as everyone was working

One can move up by taking a Civil Service Exam? What did the exams consist of?

How well they knew Confucian texts (even though Daoism help shape the government, Confucianism valued harmony and respect)

How did the Han Dynasty attempt to stop attacks against the Xiongnu nomads?

They tried to offer silk, gold, or even their princesses for marriage as a peace treaty

What were the effects on the Han Dynasty after war against the Xiongnu?

After Emperor Wudi (Han) declared war, they were able to defeat the Xiongnu Empire yet the war destabilized the Han government

What were some technological advancements that occurred under the Han?

Some examples include: standardized coinage, plows, iron mining, paper, water-powered mills, astronomy advancements, and medical research

How did urbanization aid the spread of disease?

Crowded living conditions allowed pathogens to find a greater number of hosts with very little effort

How did disease aid in the collapse of the Han Empire?

The severe population lost due to disease contributed to the fall of the Han Dynasty and many years of turmoil until the Sui and Tang Dynasties