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The Grand Canal in Suzhou, China Dynastic Rule in China from the Sui to the Ming

Assignment to hand in: Dynastic Rule in China Graphic Organizer

Step 1: Introduction - Read the text below:

The basis for united Chinese government was established during the Han Dynasty, when people living in northern and southern China were unified. The Han called China "Zhao Guo" or "The Middle Kingdom," because they believed they were the center of the "civilized" world. The Chinese emperor was called the "Son of Heaven" because the Chinese believed that the god chose the Emperor and his family to be the political and religious leaders of the Middle Kingdom. this divine choice was called "The Mandate of Heaven." Throughout Chinese history, dynasties of emperors ruled until factors such as invasions, economic difficulties, lack of concern for peasants' well-being, and economically wasteful lifestyles made it appear that the royal family no longer had "Heaven's Mandate." Han emperors governed according to Confucian political principles which stressed hard work, loyalty, and respect. Emperors oversaw a large bureaucracy staffed by scholarly civil servants who were chosen according to their knowledge of Confucian thought, which they demonstrated on exams. Many Chinese today call themselves " the people of the Han" because they consider the Han period as a golden age of unity when classical Chinese culture developed.

Step 2: Graphic Organizer: Complete the Dynastic Rule in China Graphic Organizer by reading looking at the transparencies below and reading the corresponding text.

The Sui Dynasty: Re-establishing Unity in China

Sui Emperor on the Grand CanalIn this transparency we see Sui Emperor Yang Di traveling by dragon boat on the Grand Canal

Sui Dynasty Summary

The Tang Dynasty: Golden Age of Chinese Culture

A Tang palace where officials congregate and participate in recreational activitiesIn this transparency we see a Tang dynasty emperor at his palace where officials congregate and participate in recreational activities.

Tang Dynasty Summary

The Song Dynasty: Rise of Meritocracy

Officials compose essays to demonstrate their knowledge of Confucian scriptIn this transparency we see Chinese taking civil-service examinations under the watchful eye of an emperor, who overlooks the scene from a pavilion at rear. Officials of several cities compose essays, designed to demonstrate their knowledge of Confucian texts.

Song Dynasty Summary

The Yuan Dynasty: The Age of Foreign Rule

The Polos being entertained at the court of Kublai KhanIn this transparency we see an illustration of the court of Kublai Khan, where Marco Polo and his father were treated with great hospitality and were entertained by fire-eaters and jugglers.

Yuan Dynasty Summary

The Ming Dynasty: Exploration and Isolation

The Imperial Palace in the Forbidden CityIn this transparency we see a nineteenth-century Chinese painting of the Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City in Peking (present-day Beijing)

Ming Dynasty Summary

Supplemental Resources:

PowerPoint: The Forbidden City - The Palace of the Emperor of Heaven

Forbidden City Photo Gallery

Videos: China Revealed: The Forbidden City World History: The Forbidden City The Rise and Fall of the Forbidden City The Forbidden City

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