Explain the Rise and Success of the Early Han Dynasty

Key Terms
Sima Qian
Kong Fuzi
Dao, Daoism
Qin Shihuangdi
Liu Bang
Han Wudi
Laozi
Legalism
Great Wall
Conscription
Xiongnu / Big Picture
The four centuries from 221 B.C.E. to 220 C.E. brought extensive political, social, and intellectual change to China. Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism were philosophies that grew out of the confusing final days of the Zhou dynasty and profoundly influenced this age. In 221 B.C.E. the emperor Qin Shihuangdi brought unification to China for the first time. Although the Qin empire lasted barely two decades, it laid the foundation for lasting political success and cultural brilliance under the Han dynasty. The Han, through the efforts of Liu Bei and Han Wudi, carried on the centralizing policies of Qin Shihuangdi while replacing harsh Legalism with a more traditional Confucian approach. Despite the political and cultural success of the Han dynasty, terrible economic times and a dramatic widening of the gap between rich and poor led to the collapse of the dynasty.
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Learning Objectives

Compare and contrast the emergence of belief systems designed to restore political and social order in China.
Explain and discuss the unification of China through the efforts of the Qin dynasty.
Explain the rise and success of the early Han dynasty.
Discuss the reasons behind productivity and prosperity during the Former Han era.
Identify the social and economic difficulties that led to the decline of the Former Han dynasty.
Discuss important features of the Later Han dynasty

Language Objectives

Tell the similarities and differences in the belief systems designed to restore political and social order in China.
Explain and discuss the unification of China through the efforts of the Qin dynasty.
Explain the rise and success of the early Han dynasty.
Discuss the reasons behind productivity and prosperity during the Former Han era.
State the social and economic difficulties that led to the decline of the Former Han dynasty.
Tell the important features of the Later Han dynasty

Essential Understanding

What three schools of thought (or philosophies) emerge to bring harmony and order to society during China’s Warring States period?
Who was Confucius? Why did he leave Lu?
What did Confucius believe would bring about political and social harmony? How does this relate to his beliefs about government?
What is the name of the book of Confucius’ teachings?
Confucius’ students studied many areas of Zhou society, but what did he believe was more important than formal education? Do you agree? Why?
What were three Confucian values?
From what you’ve read, how does Confucius feel about humanity?
Who founded Daoism? What is the name of the book of his teachings?
Where Confucianism focuses on personal relationships, Daoism focuses on what?
What is the Dao, and what should be humans’ relationship with it?
What is wuwei? Anyone want to wuwei??
What is the focus of Legalism?
How did legalists bring about order in a society?
According to legalists, what were the 2 foundations of a state?
Who were the two big legalist thinkers of the time?
Briefly describe how the state of Qin rose in power.
Who was the first emperor of a unified China?
List three beneficial things the 1st did for China. List 3 bad things he did for China.
What put an end to the Qin dynasty, and why?
What dynasty comes to power after the fall of the Qin? Who founds it?
Why is there a former and a later Han?
Who was the Han’s greatest emperor? What two policies did he practice?
What was required for the Han government to work? How was this accomplished?
What nomadic group did Han Wudi have problems with? How were those problems resolved?
Who was Ban Zhao, and why is she important?
Why was silk an important industry?
What caused the economic downturn for Han Wudi?