Qin and Han

-state ideology -corvee-unification -reasons of its demise-terracotta army

The Qin Dynasty

Qin shi huang -300 years unity -1st imperial period

The first emperor

State ideology- legalist philosophy -based on the idea that humans are selfish-Emphasized harsh rules (law of Qin /200/quin

dai lianzuo )-the disobedient should be harshly punished

Legalism

Example :

Anyone caught outside their village without a passport should have his ears or nose chopped off!

Unpaid compulsory labour service

Corvee (yaoyi)

陈琳《饮马长城窟行》 生男慎勿举，生女哺用脯，君不见，长城下，死人骸骨相撑柱。

Unification Codifying lawsRazing city wallsConfiscating weaponsWeights and measuresCoinage Axle-lengthChinese scriptThe burning of books

Terracotta Army

Han

From legalism to Confucianism -Qin suppressed Confucianism -and burned Confucius’ books-Han adopted Confucianism-Han Wu Di declared China as a Confucian

state-Core concept :subordination

Ideology

Han High Ancestor: Liu Bang-peasant origin -not very virtuous-great leadership abilities

-Laid firm foundation for Imperial exam system in later dynasties

- The ability of an office-holder = knowledge of Confucian classics

- written exams were given to determine the best one for the government positions

- Led to a Confucianism state ideology

Civil service examination

Positive effects: -Emphasized morals and ethics-promoted respect to the authorities, parents,

elders-Chose people based on their merits and abilities Negative effects:-discrimination against women-absolutely obeying fathers, husbands, sons ----no freedom for children and women

eunuchs

Expansion

Han Wu Di

Alliance with the Huns

Sima Qian

The Records of the Grand Historian,

known by its Chinese name Shiji (Chinese: 史記 ; pinyin: Shǐjì;

literally "Historical Records"),

recounted Chinese history from the time of the Yellow Emperor until his own time. covers a history of 3,000 years altogether 103 articles, totaling more than

500,000 Chinese characters. a faithful documenting of history but also

possesses high literary value