UNIT 4: IMPERIAL CHINA



UNIT 4: IMPERIAL CHINA

Chapter 16: The Political Development of Imperial China

China’s Imperial Dynasties

|Dynasty |Time Period | |Known For |

|Qin dynasty |221-206 B.C.E. | |unification of China under an emperor |

|Han dynasty |206 B.C.E -220 C.E. | |a golden age for a united China |

|Six dynasties |220— 581 C.E. | |a period of chaos and division |

|Sui dynasty |589—618 C.E. | |reunification of China |

|Tang dynasty |618—907 C.E. | |economic development and growth; many inventions and discoveries |

|5 dynasties in the north |907—960 C.E. | |a period of chaos and division |

|10 kingdoms in the south |907— 970 C.E. | | |

|Song dynasty |960—1279 C.E. | |economic development and growth; many inventions and discoveries |

|Yuan dynasty (the Mongols) |1279—1368 C.E. | |control of China by foreigners |

|Ming dynasty |1368—1644 C.E. | |opening up of China to foreign influences at the start of the dynasty, closing down of |

| | | |China by the end of the dynasty |

Graphic Organizer page 179

1. This lesson teaches about the government of China from 220 to 1644 C.E. and how the emperor chose officials to help him rule.

a. Read Section 16.1.

b. Why do you think it was difficult to unite China into a single nation?

2. One method of appointing government officials in China was to choose the best scholars in the land. Such scholars were identified through examinations. In this lesson, students will debate whether this and other methods were appropriate ways for emperors to choose government officials.

Throughout Chinese history, emperors have appointed different types of people to help them govern. They have chosen wealthy members of society, called aristocrats; they have selected scholars; and they have appointed foreigners. In this activity, you will each be assigned a role and will debate the advantages and disadvantages of appointing various types of people as government officials.

Reading for Understanding

Tell students that throughout Chinese history, all three methods have been used to select government officials. In the remaining reading, they will learn about the examination that scholars had to take to become government officials. They will also learn about the historical periods when other methods were used to choose people to help govern China.

Roles of Officials in Imperial China

Emperor

Background Information: Heaven chose you to rule China. Because of the empire’s size, you need government officials throughout the land to help maintain control and carry out your laws. You must decide which of three groups—the Foreigners, the wealthy (called Aristocrats), or the Scholars—to appoint as government officials.

Chancellor

Background Information: Because of the enormous size of the Chinese empire, the Emperor needs officials to carry out his orders. The Emperor has chosen you to help determine which group—the Foreigners, the wealthy (called Aristocrats), or the Scholars—he will appoint as these government officials.

Aristocrat

Background Information: You are an Aristocrat, a member of an influential, wealthy family that owns large amounts of land. The Emperor must decide which group—Foreigners, Aristocrats, or Scholars—he will appoint to help him govern. You must try to convince one of the Emperor’s Chancellors that the Aristocrats are the best choice to be government officials.

Foreigner

Background Information: You are a Foreigner who has come to live in China. You have much knowledge in such areas as mathematics and science. The Emperor must decide which group—Foreigners, the wealthy (called Aristocrats), or Scholars—he will appoint to help him govern. You must try to convince one of the Emperor’s Chancellors that the Foreigners are the best choice to be government officials.

Scholar

Background Information: You are a Scholar who has studied history, philosophy, and poetry for many years. The Emperor must decide which group—Foreigners, the wealthy (called Aristocrats), or Scholars—he will appoint to help him govern. You must try to convince one of the Emperor’s Chancellors that the Scholars are the best choice to be government officials.

GUIDE TO READING NOTES 16

16.2 The Government of Imperial China

1. According to the Mandate of Heaven, when can people overthrow the emperor?

People can overthrow an emperor when he rules badly.

2. What is a bureaucracy? What happened when the bureaucracy in China became corrupt?

A bureaucracy is an organized group of government officials. When the bureaucracy became corrupt, people suffered from high taxes, forced labor, and attacks by bandits.

3. What happened to China when the Han dynasty lost the Mandate of Heaven? Who reunited China?

When the Han dynasty fell, China broke into separate kingdoms. It was reunited by the Sui dynasty.

16.3 Aristocracy: The Tang Dynasty

1. Who were scholar-officials?

Scholar-officials were scholars who got government jobs through examinations.

2. What was the examination for scholar-officials primarily based on?

The examination was primarily based on the teachings of Confucius.

3. Why did aristocrats continue to hold most offices?

Only the wealthy could afford the tutors, books, and time to study needed to prepare for the exams.

16.4 Meritocracy: The Song Dynasty

1. According to emperors and scholars, knowledge of Confucius would produce what type of government official?

Government officials who had studied Confucius would be rational, moral, and able to maintain order.

2. What new group of people was allowed to become government officials during the Song period?

People from lower classes were allowed to become government officials.

3. Why did people want government jobs?

People wanted these jobs because government officials were respected and were excused from taxes and military service.

16.5 Government by Foreigners: Period of Mongol Rule

1. Whom did Kublai Khan choose to fill important government positions?

He appointed relatives, other Mongols, and trusted foreigners.

2. What happened to Chinese scholars during the Mongol rule?

Chinese scholars worked only as teachers and minor government officials.

16.6 The Revival of the Civil Service System

1. How did hiring scholars help China?

Hiring scholars emphasized moral behavior, justice, kindness, loyalty to the emperor, proper conduct, and the importance of family. It insured that officials were trained and talented, and it allowed the ambitious and hard working from all classes the chance to succeed.

2. How did hiring scholars hurt China?

People who knew science, mathematics, or engineering were kept out of government.

Because Confucian scholars had little respect for merchants, trade and business were not encouraged.

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