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The Zhou and the Qin Dynasties

In this lesson, students will be able to identify characteristics of the Zhou and Qin dynasties.

Students will be able to identify and/or define the following terms:

The Mandate of Heaven

Confucianism

Daoism

A Strong Central Government

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The first known dynasty of China was theShang dynasty. This dynasty united the people living around the Huang He and

Yangtze river valleys.

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The Zhou Dynasty• Around 1027 B.C., the Zhou conquered

the Shang.

• The Zhou dynasty lasted longer than any other Chinese dynasty. It lasted from 1027 B.C. to 221 B.C.

• Zhou rulers claimed the right to rule or the Mandate of Heaven.

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The Zhou dynasty lasted longer than anyother Chinese dynasty.

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Mandate of Heaven • The Mandate of Heaven was the Chinese

belief that the gods picked the emperor to rule but the gods could also remove a bad emperor from power.

• The Mandate of Heaven can be viewed as the right to rule.

• The ruler kept the Mandate of Heaven for as long as he ruled effectively.

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Zhou rulers claimed

theMandate of

Heaven or theright to rule.

However, thegods could

remove the ruler’s

right to rule.

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Philosophers during Zhou China• During the Zhou dynasty, two important

Chinese philosophies developed.

• Confucianism and Daoism were two significant philosophies developed during the Zhou dynasty.

• Both philosophies stressed the importance of harmony as Zhou China experienced increased warfare.

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Confucius was animportant Chinese

philosopher.He stressed the

importance of orderto achieve harmony.Confucius believedthat if people knewand did what theyshould do, thenharmony would

occur.

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It is believed thatthe founder of

Daoism or Taoismwas Lao Tzu.Daoism was aphilosophy that

stressed theimportance of

nature. By livingnaturally, harmonycould be achieved.

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The Qin Dynasty• In 221 B.C., the Qin dynasty emerged.

• The Qin dynasty established a strong central government or a strong government that controlled all of China’s local rulers.

• The Qin ruler was the first Chinese ruler to call himself emperor.

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Shi Huang-Ti was the first Chinese emperor. He united China under one

ruler.

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Centralization• Shi Huang-Ti was a harsh but strong ruler.

• He introduced a uniform system of writing.

• He ordered the execution of people who disagreed with him.

• The Chinese were forced to obey his rules.

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During Qin China,the Chinese beganbuilding the GreatWall of China.The Great Wall ofChina was built toprotect China fromnomadic invaders.

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Questions for Reflection:• Define the Mandate of Heaven.• How did the Chinese explain the rise of a

new dynasty?• How did Confucianism differ from Daoism?• Who was Shi Huang-Ti?• Why did the Chinese build the Great Wall

of China?• What are characteristics of a strong

central government?