Early Chinese History Test Study Guide

What river provided fertile farmland for early Chinese settlements?

the Yellow River

Criticizing the government led to censorship by the order of what Chinese emperor?

Emperor Chin Shihuangdi

Family respect and social order were Chinese cultural values taught by who?

Confucius

Taoism an important philosophy during the Warring States period for what reason?

It provided people with balance during a tumultuous period

China's development during ancient times was the result of its geography. These land forms did what?

They isolated china and blocked it off from other regions.

Chinese society began to show more respect for older members because of what influence on Chinese society?

Confucianism

The Han Dynasty is considered a golden age for China. Why?

Cultural growth, especially with art and literature

China was a collection of separate feudal states before what happened?

It was then unified under one ruler

Harsh punishments during the Qin Dynasty was used to scare people into doing what?

Obeying the law

What Chinese emperor used forced labor to complete major construction projects?

Qin Shihuangdi

Legalism led to the fall of the Qin Dynasty. Why?

The government's cruel treatment motivated peasants and farmers to join rebels to overthrow the Qin dynasty.

To protect himself in the afterlife, emperor Qin Shihuangdi created what?

The Terra-Cotta Soldiers

Liu Bang improved the functioning of the government in what way?

He developed civil service exams to reduce corruption

One legalist policy under emperor Qin Shihuangdi

burning books

The term for the 200 year period of warfare and violence in ancient China

The Warring State Period

A peasant rebellion against the Qin led to who to become the first emperor of the Han Dynasty?

Liu Bang

Based on the Mandate of Heaven, a king's right to rule came from who?

the gods

The period of time that made people look for ways to restore order in China

The Warring States Period

Identify some of the items that are exchanged on the Silk Road

silk, tea, dishware, spices, pottery, bronze, ermine fur, glassware, rhino horn, grapes, melons, cultural ideas

Founder of Taoism

Laozi

Founder of Confucianism

Confucius

Founder of Legalism

Han Feizi

What was the Mandate of Heaven?

In Chinese history, the divine approval thought to be the basis of royal authority

What is the term for a series of rulers from the same family?

Dynasty

Restriction on access to ideas and information

Censorship

The responsibility children have to respect, obey, and care for their parents

Filial Piety

Large, complex administrative services of a government

Bureaucracy

Established the first Chinese Empire and gets credited for unifying Northern China

Qin Shihuangdi

First emperor of the Han dynasty

Liu Bang

What are some important parts of Taoism?

• emphasizes virtue and nature

• doesn't focus on obeying government

• balance the yin and yang

What are some important parts of Confucianism?

• rulers should rule by example

• respect for family and elders

• education and ethics are important

• social organization maintains order

What are some important parts of Legalism?

• humans are motivated by self-interest

• humans should be forced to obey the law and act right

• threaten people to behave

• strict laws to guide behavior

• harsh punishment for criminal acts

• strong central government

• rewards and punishments for behavior

• no criticizing the government

How did river systems help civilization grow in ancient China?

• good farming and food surplus led to large populations

• cities developed along the rivers

• fresh water and fish

• for trade and travel

• became an economic/agricultural center

What are some achievements of the Han Dynasty?

• civil service exams

• expanded territory

• increased economic growth and prosperity

• development of culture (art and literature)

• development of trading

What led to the decline of the Qin Dynasty?

• cruel treatment

• cruel treatment led people to look for different rulers

• cruel punishment for minor crimes

• led to a rebellion