Chinese Dynasties

Han Dynasty time period

206BCE- 220CE

Liu Bang

First Han emperor

starts out as peasant then became a charismatic rebel leader

ruled 20 years

Emperor Wudi

next Han emperor

established the Imperial Academy to allow people to study Confucian texts

most powerful Han emperors

Accomplsihments of Han Dynasty

Established Silk Roads

Government- effective, ruled by emperor and prime minister

Paper was invented

Empire- expanded territory through war, expanded Silk Road

Education- required tests for government officials 

Key Events of the Han Dynasty

Gained northwestern territory after at war with the Xiongnu (nomadic people, strong army)

Emperor Wudi sent people to create an alliance against the Xiongnu, Zhang Qian  failed his mission but he learned about trade with other societies and brought back info to Wudi which opened the silk roads

Peasants tried to overthrow the capital 

Lots of invasions from other places weakened the military

Tang Dynasty time period

618-906

Emperor Taizong

Second emperor during this dynasty

expanded empire

protected silk roads and discouraged invaders

wrote Tang Code (set of laws, taxes, property, Buddhist texts translated)

Emperor Wu

Woman who made her own dynasty (Zhou)

used mythology, Buddhism, and prophecy to justify her rule

Accomplishments of the Tang Dynasty

Buddhism was firmly established in China

Chang’an- cosmopolitan city (diverse people, goods,ideas,arts)

Architecture- wooden buildings, curved tile roofs, raised walkways, bright tiles, gardens

Blend of Korean and Japanese Buddhists, artisans, and poets

Woodblock printing- led to more books, communications revolution. Helped spread education, arts, Buddhism

Key Events of the Tang Dynasty

Emperor Wu overthrown, Tang Dynasty restored but 50 years later a general lead a mutiny against the new emperor

Mutiny failed 

Power went from central (emperor) to regional (local leaders, then Song Dynasty was re-established imperial control

Northern Song Dynasty capital

Kaifeng

Southern Song Dynasty Period capital

Hangzhou

Accomplishments of the Song Dynasty

Improvements were made in mapmaking, boatmaking, and

navigational instruments 

From trade, people from this dynasty learned more about other people and places

This dynastys coins were spread and used in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam

Woman did learn how to read and write

Neo-Confucianism was taught : self development through the study of *The Four Books*

Key Events of the Song Dynasty

At first Hangzhou was small but then Hangzhou became the largest city in the world 

Bi Sheng invented a more efficient printing press

Low cost in books produced a boom in education 

This dynasty introduced the world's first paper money 

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Song Dynasty time period

960-1279

Ming Dynasty time period

1368-1644

Emperor Hongwu

first Ming emperor, overthrew the Mongols and reclaimed China

Zhu Di (Emperor name Yongle)

Hongwu’s son

created a secret service to root out traitor

encouraged publication of Chinese literature

moved capital from Nanjing to Beijing

ordered the building of the Forbidden City

commissioned Zheng He to expand the navy; furthered exploration and trade

Zhengtong

Stopped all new explorations and stay at home

focuses more on China’s heritage, tradition, and legacy

strengthened and extended the Great Wall of China

Confucianism

ancient Chinese belief system

maintains that there are rules about how people should act and treat one another

respect for one's parents, elders, or ancestors.

involves love and kindness, treating others with humanity and altruism

more like a philosophy

Confucius

believed that a return to the beliefs, values, and rituals of the Zhou Dynasty would help heal his own society

advocated his philosophy to create social order and to encourage leaders to be more effective