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Questions and Answers
Which of the following best explains the concept of 'Mandate of Heaven' during the early Chinese dynasties?
Which of the following best explains the concept of 'Mandate of Heaven' during the early Chinese dynasties?
- A set of strict laws and regulations implemented by the emperor to maintain order.
- The belief that rulers were chosen by deities and their authority depended on just governance. (correct)
- The divine right of emperors to rule, which could not be challenged.
- A system where emperors were selected based on their military achievements.
How did the concept of the Mandate of Heaven affect the dynastic transitions in ancient China?
How did the concept of the Mandate of Heaven affect the dynastic transitions in ancient China?
- It legitimized the overthrow of corrupt or ineffective rulers. (correct)
- It weakened the power of the emperor and made him subservient to religious authorities.
- It prevented new dynasties from emerging, maintaining long periods of stability.
- It ensured smooth transitions of power within ruling families.
During which dynasty did the 'Hundred Schools of Ancient Philosophy' flourish?
During which dynasty did the 'Hundred Schools of Ancient Philosophy' flourish?
- Zhou Dynasty (correct)
- Shang Dynasty
- Qin Dynasty
- Han Dynasty
Which of the following contributions is most closely associated with the Qin Dynasty?
Which of the following contributions is most closely associated with the Qin Dynasty?
What was a key characteristic of the government during the Shang Dynasty?
What was a key characteristic of the government during the Shang Dynasty?
Which dynasty is recognized for establishing State Confucianism as a guiding principle?
Which dynasty is recognized for establishing State Confucianism as a guiding principle?
What was the main consequence of the Period of Warring States?
What was the main consequence of the Period of Warring States?
Which of the following best describes the significance of oracle bones during the Shang Dynasty?
Which of the following best describes the significance of oracle bones during the Shang Dynasty?
Which factor contributed to the decline of the Zhou Dynasty?
Which factor contributed to the decline of the Zhou Dynasty?
Which developments are attributed to the Han Dynasty?
Which developments are attributed to the Han Dynasty?
Flashcards
Mandate of Heaven
Mandate of Heaven
Divine source of authority and the right to rule of China's early kings and then emperors.
Dynasty
Dynasty
Succession of rulers from the same family or line of descent.
Shang Dynasty (1600-1050 BC)
Shang Dynasty (1600-1050 BC)
First dynasty in China, known for bronze casting and oracle bones.
Oracle Bones
Oracle Bones
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Zhou Dynasty (1042-256 BC)
Zhou Dynasty (1042-256 BC)
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Period of Warring States (476-221 BC)
Period of Warring States (476-221 BC)
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Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC)
Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC)
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Han Dynasty (202 BCE-221 AD)
Han Dynasty (202 BCE-221 AD)
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Study Notes
- China in Antiquity spans from the Xia to Han Dynasties
Terminologies
- Mandate of Heaven: A divine source of authority and the right to rule for China's early kings and emperors
- Dynasty: The succession of rulers from the same line of descent
Mandate of Heaven
- The Mandate of Heaven appeared 3,000 years ago to convince people to accept a new dynasty
- Philosophers expanded the concept of the Mandate of Heaven to help rulers build a lasting dynasty
- Mandate of Heaven is equal to the Mandate of the people
- A ruler may be superior to a commoner, but must submit to the people as a whole
- Heaven gets angry and replaces a ruler with someone new
- If a ruler ignores the people's needs, they will be overthrown
Ancient: Shang (1600-1050 BC)
- Founder: Cheng Tang
- Contributions include bronze casting, the use of chariots, writing system, centralized government, belief in the afterlife, and oracle bones
- Declined due to tyrant rulers and attacks from the emerging Zhou dynasty
- Earliest form of writing in China involved animal bones (turtle shells) subjected to heat to read the cracks for fortune telling, this is a source for the Xia dynasty existence
Zhou Dynasty (1042-256 BC)
- Founder: Wuwang or Ji Fa
- Contributions: Expanded the Mandate of Heaven, flourishing culture, the well-field system, codification of writing, chopsticks, iron, money economy, and the Hundred Schools of Ancient Philosophy
- Emperor authority declined, leading to the Period of Warring States
Period Of Warring States (476-221 BC)
- Powerful states challenged the Zhou dynasty
- The Qin state emerged victorious
Imperial: Qin (221-206 BC)
- Founder: Shi Huangdi
- Adviser: Li Su (Legalist)
- Contributions: Included a centralized state, standardized writing, currency, and legal code, the Great Wall, and Terracotta warriors
- Declined due to factional rivalry between the "inner" imperial court and the "outer" court of bureaucratic officials
Imperial: Han (202 BCE-221 AD)
- Founder: Liu Bang
- Contributions: Included State Confucianism, the civil service system, the Silk Road, Buddhism, paper, and codified medical techniques
- Declined due to Wang Mang interregnum, Xiongnu warriors, and Cao Cao interregnum
Imperial: Six Dynasties (221-581 AD)
- Consisted of the Three Kingdoms, Jin, the Northern and Southern Dynasties
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