Classical+China

Analysis of Shi Huangdi

Leader Analysis Sheet
 * Name of Leader: Shi Huangdi ||
 * Lifespan: 49 || Title: Qin Dynasty ||
 * Country/region: China || Years in Power: 11 ||
 * Political, Social, & Economic Conditions Prior to Leaders Gaining Power: He ordered the government to burn books that were not to his liking. Shi Huangdi was a tyrant and he controlled everything. Establishing most parts of Great Wall of China require an enormous amount of workers however this job was mandatory and it was tedious. His will of expanding his rule required money therefore high taxes were placed among the people. He was not liked by the citizens; his efforts of expanding his rule had given him a bad reputation. The government was assigned to areas by the king and they had power over that area even though there were already leaders there. He was able to reunite China even thought before it was mostly in ruins due to interstate wars and because of the previoues dynasty, the Zhou Dynasty. ||
 * Ideology, Motivation, Goals: He wanted to expand, under his leadership; he assigned bureaucrats to rule certain areas, he was able to expand his territory that reaches Hong Kong. A main language was established for communication that was used in China. Reunited most of China, major achievement because previously it was divided and interstate wars had led to a downfall. ||
 * Significant Actions & events During Term of Power: During Shi Huangdi’s rule he expanded his rule of a significant amount of land. During his term of power he had established the Great Wall of China expanding over 3000 miles long, which is significant. He created a tomb that contained up to 8000 Terracotta Warriors. ||
 * Short-Term effects: || Long-Term Effects: Established parts of the Great Wall of China that is now a famous tourist site. Established a standarized measurement and weight. ||

media type="custom" key="6960051" Intellectual + Religion aspects of Han dynasty media type="custom" key="6960157"

Why is Legalism the best?

Unlike other philosophies legalism had another approach, legalism believed in power, control, and taking action that was necessary to prevent chaos. A previous believer of Confucianism had contributed to the growth of legalism. Law is above all, law will prevent chaos from occurring and strengthen them. Law will eliminate all the bad there is and the people will not be wronged. The law will be equal to all and not just the rich and powerful, good citizens will be rewarded and the bad will be punished. The law will remove any chaos, and bad out of the society, all those that conflict will the law will be punished; the law will lead them to prosperity. There are two beliefs that Legalism is followed by good is rewarded, and the bad is punished. The people will fear the government if only punishment is handed down for their deeds and not any rewards. This philosophy bests fits China currently because after the Zhou dynasty there has been many incidents that has occurred since and chaos is disrupting the peace and the daily lives of the people. The philosophy of legalism will restore the peace that China has lost for centuries due to interstate wars that has been occurring. Legalism will enforce rules for the people so chaos will not happen, the bad will be penalized and the good rewarded. Legalism believes in the idea of fair and just no one will be treated unequally, no class will be neglected of punishment or rewards.

Han Dynaasty Espirit Chart

** ES ** ** ESPIRIT Chart ** You must include main ideas and details in each category

Civilization/Nation/Group: Han Dynasty

Time Period: 206 B.C.E- 220 B.C.E.


 * E || During the Han dynasty land was extending towards, Central Asia, Indochina, and Korea. Peace was enforced during the rule of Wu ti from 140 to 87 B.C.E. From 220 to 589 B.C.E there was not much peace due to nomadic people that eventually caused China to collapse. The Han dynasty had established about 130,000 bureaucrats examines need to be taken to become a bureaucrat. The government played a huge role in China’s economy by producing salt and iron. Jobs were being provided by the government such as canal system. To control the price of rice it was basically stored away. The ** Silk Road ** was a route that was essential during the Han Dynasty because in previous dynasties China preferred to be isolated from other countries Since China were the only ones that could produce a mass production of high quality silk they basically became the supplier which led them to prosperity. ||
 * S || Social status was passed down from generation to generation whatever status you were born with you was stuck like that. There were three types of group that existed in China. The first group consisted of aristocrats, and bureaucrats. The next group was artisans, and peasants. Then peasants had a difficult life that consisted of tedious work. Then finally there was the “mean people” they were unskilled workers that had the most difficult life of all the three groups, slaves were also in this group. ||
 * P || Government beliefs were connected to Confucianism. The king’s power was limited due to the** bureaucracy **. There was not of war decisions need by the government during the Han period but only about any crimes. Believed in torture and execution. There was tax during this dynasty and every male had to volunteer eventually for any labors that needed to be carried out by the government. People were thought to be guilty even before trial; people were tortured so they would admit to the crime even if they did not do it. ||
 * I || China eventually interacted with the Parthian Empire, India. Trade increased during the Han dynasty. Most upper class materials were being traded such as leather materials, furniture and silk. China preferred to be isolated that need not need to learn the ways of the outside world. ||
 * R || The Han dynasty believed in the philosophy of Confucianism. The government had a huge role in promoting the philosophy of Confucianism. Daoism was influenced the government to keep the king in mind. Children in China could be disciplined by action if they were disobedient and the parents would not get in trouble if they killed or even severely injured their child. ||
 * I || China also believed in Deities. During this time China was studying about the hygiene of people, how it could improve longevity. Parents were not punished for disciplining their child even if it meant that they were severely injured. ||
 * T || The seismograph was invented during this time, it could register earthquakes. Around 300 B.C.E ox-drawn plows were invented. Also collars for animals were invented which increase the progress of harvesting and plowing fields and crops. Paper was eventually invented during this dynasty; also water- powered mills were invented. Inventions that were invented had helped increase the population of China because the efficiency of the equipment allowed more food to be produced to support more people. ||

Classical China terms:

Classical China Terms – Feel free to add images Classical China Summary:
 * Shi Huangdi || He became the king of the Qin Dynasty in 221 B.C.E. ruled for 11 years he was able to reunited all of China, however he was a paranoid king and took many precautions that ensured safety. ||
 * Qin || Came after the Zhou Dynasty during this time all of China was united the King was Shi Huangdi (221-207 B.C.E.) ||
 * Han || Came after the Qin Dynasty even though the Qin dynasty ended beliefs that were adopted in the Qin dynasty still existed in this dynasty. (206 B.C.E. – 220 A.D.) ||
 * Zhou || Occurred before the Qin Dynast, despite the contributions that this dynasty have contributed to the success of the other dynasties, at the end of this era China was left in ruins and chaos all over due to inter-state wars. (1029 B.C.E-258 B.C.E.) ||
 * Great Wall || Shi Huangdi built a great amount of this wall it expands over 3000 miles, people were forced to work on this project, very tedious. ||
 * Daoism || A way of life that involves harmony and balance. ||
 * Confucianism || A philosophy that is based on teachings of humanity, such as being a filial child, and being honest and loyal. ||
 * Legalism || Philosophy that believes law is above all, law prevents chaos and all the bad from happening and keeps things in order and safe for the public. ||
 * Bureaucracy || An organization that had power over the public and keeps things in order and running smoothly like the government, to become a bureaucrat one must pass the national exam, this was established to limit the king from having absolute power. ||

 The most influential dynasties that deeply impacted China were the Zhou, Qin and Han Dynasties. The span of the Zhou dynasty was from 1029BCE to 258BCE. The Zhou kingdom established itself along the Yellow River. Confucius a man that was very knowledgeable had lived in the late Zhou dynasty, he establish a new philosophy that impacted many, known as Confucianism. The Zhou Dynasty did not have a strong government. The Zhou Dynasty kept some traditions that were passed on from the previous dynasty known as the Shang Dynasty. Mandarin Chinese was being established a standardized language for the Middle Kingdom. The next dynasty is known as the Qin Dynasty that arose due to the collapse of the Zhou Dynasty. The Qin Dynasty consisted of a tyrant leader named Shi Huangdi. Even though he was a tyrant he contributed too many things that impacted China like the Great Wall which expands over 3000 miles. Bureaucrats were also being established which lessen the power of the king. Shi Huangdi was able to unify all of China which was impressive. A philosophy of Legalism was being accepted under Shi Huangdi’s rule. The Qin Dynasty lasted from 221 B.C.E to 202 B.C.E. The Han Dynasty rose after the Qin Dynasty lasted from 202 B.C.E. to 220 C.E. Unlike Shi Huangdi, Wu Ti ruler of the Han Dynasty ruled with peace. The Silk Road was essential during the Han Dynasty because it allowed interactions between China to other areas and since China could produce silk due to silk worms China was important unlike previous dynasties where china preferred to be isolated. Confucianism was accepted by Wu Ti and he wanted to promote this philosophy. Every dynasty had contributed to the well-being of China overall, each dynasty believed a different philosophy that would be perfect for its situation currently.