Ancient China

Mandate of Heaven

Belief that the Heavens bless the emporer

Xia Dynasty

Considered first dynasty, not much evidence to prove facts or significance of its existence

Shang Dynasty

Considered historical beginning of Chinese history, was a theocracy

Shang-di

God of the Shang dynasty, believed king could speak to him and report to the people. Human sacrifices were used to please him, and could send messages to through oracle bones

YinYang

Concept that life has to polar opposites that balance the universe ex. light+dark, good+evil

Fu Hao

Powerful female military leader

Zhou Dynasty

Longest ruling dynasty, introduced coinage, rulers granted land to princes (feudalism), claimed Mandate of Heaven to justify their overthrow of the Shang dynasty

Tian

Concept of Heaven

Qin Shi Huangdi

1st Chinese emperor, becomes basis of China’s name, followed Legalism, standardized coinage, writing, and language, begins the Great Wall, created the terra Cotta warriors

Liu Bang

Known for defeating the former Qin dynasty, rewarding people with land, and his leniancy

Empress Lu

Ruled with an iron fist, killed anyone who threatened her rule, put babies on throne but killed them so she could stay in power, tried to put her family in power but people got mad and Han reclaimed the throne

Han Wudi

Han dynasty reached its apex during his rule, but also made poor decisions like creating the ¼ of your father’s land law, rejecting trade to establish government monopolies, and selling government positions

Han Dynasty

Dynasty where China takes control of the Silk Road, created paper and civil service exams, believes they are pure Chinese

Wang Mang

Usurps the Han throne, follows Legalist and Confucian policies so both rich and poor disliked him, caused the Red Eyebrow Rebellion

Yellow Turban Rebellion

Peasant food rebellion that showed the weakness and the end of the Han dynasty

Daoism

Believed in “the way”, which was nature, a divinely established orger for things, non-natural things are not considered worthwhile or important

Lao Zi

Important Daoist philosopher, wrote the Dao da Jing

Confucianism

Believed human society it a reflection of the order of Heaven, encourages responsibility, service to the ruler, and filial piety

Mencius

Adds elements to Confucianism of goodness for others and expectations for rulers to behave positively

Legalism

Believed humans are inherently selfish and require a system of punishment and reward

Li Si

An important Legalist philosopher

Meritocracy

People advanced based on their skill, not their connections or status

Qin Dynasty

Followed Legalism and meritocracy

Sui Yangdi

Most prominent emperor of the Sui dynasty, built the grand Canal and tried to conquer Korea but failed

Shotoku Taishi

Expanded Buddhism, included Confucian principles in his constitution

Tang Taizong

One of China’s greatest rulers for his reform of laws and government, tolerance of other religions and foreign traders, and was willing to listen to concerns and judgement

Wu Zetian

Consort of Tang Taizong, was the power behind the emperor, placed her sons on the throne but removed them and proclaimed herself first and only female emperor of China, favored Buddhism

Tang Xuanzong

Tang dynasty reached the golden age under his rule, improved government, economy, constructions, and military but then dynasty began its decline after he started to give up power to Yang Guifei and Li-Linfu

Yang Guifei

Manipulated Tang Xuanzong into giving her family powerful positions

Song Dynasty

Introduced Neo-Confucianism, time of intellectual growth and educational learning, created moving printing pressm new form of rice that’s yields more and can double crop=more population, gunpowder

Wang Anshi

Reformer emperor, sparked academic controversy and was forced to resign