Comparative Essay As time progressed, many civilizations began to improve and evolve into more sophisticated societies. The Achaemenid Empire of Persia and the Han Dynasty of China are two of the most successful societies during this time period. The methods used by these two societies to control their territories contribute to their accomplishment. While the Achaemenid Empire used a different method to handle their foreign issues compared to the Han Dynasty, both empires used similar systems to control their territories such as dividing their empires into districts and developing a road system. A major difference between the methods used by the Achaemenid Empire and the Han Dynasty would be the way they handled foreign issues.
The first structured dynasty of china the Shang created the structure for Chinese political and administrative formulation which was slightly altered but not greatly changed when the Zhou dynasty took over in 1027 B.C.E some of the Shang ideology’s we’re altered to match the Zhou’s but many we’re kept the same to appease the citizens. Eventually these dynasties have appeared all over Asia and went into a period of warfare against each other called the Warring States Period. After the period was resolved by unification of the empires and reforms the first Chinese empire appeared called the Qin Empire. Although the Qin didn’t last long, they performed many great acts such as created thousands of miles of roads to help unify China and canals connecting the river systems of Northern and Southern China. This helped pave the way for greater development however the harsh oppression of force labor to make all these things make the Qin empire weak to rebellion and fell when Shi Huangdi the emperor died in 210 B.C.E passing the empire ship to the long
Michael Feingold AP World History 2/10/12 Mrs. Sokol Compare and Contrast Essay In 201 BC Qin Shihuangdi united China and started the Qin dynasty, a powerful Dynasty that lasted until about 207 BC. It was succeeded by the Han Dynasty, a strong empire started by Liu Bang in 206 BC. Both were successful empires that made China a great nation. They had similar legal systems and government, and differed in their achievements. The Qin dynasty had a legalist government, which was highly bureaucratic.
The Silk Road started during the Han Dynasty in 200 B.C.E. They were the first ones. At first the trade was on a small scale. Silk was a very important good that was traded. Buddhism was also spread from India to China due to the interaction on the Silk Road.
China has been under rule of hundreds of different emperors, all of whom provided a new addition to Ancient China's rich and intricate history. These emperors ruled during periods called "dynasties" which could span from decades to centures. Of all the ancient chinese dynasties there is only one that left a lasting impression that built the foundation for modern day China. The Qin Dynasty is the greatest dynasty in Chinese history because of the standardization of currency, writing, and measurement, the formation of China, and being the first dynasty under rule of an emperor. Of these achievements the standardization of language and measurement has definately had one of the most positive impacts.
While the basic purpose of the Silk Road remained mostly the same, its’ goods and destinations went through many changes. The road started as a small transport route for Eurasian merchants, but later turned into an important economical and cultural necessity. Once Asian products, like spices and fabrics, were used by Europeans, they became dependent on them. This also occurred in Asia, and it began to shape both cultures. Also, due to the large amount of political changes that occurred during this expanse of time, the Silk Road also traveled through the new countries that began when the Roman Empire collapsed.
8-UNIFICATION OF CHINA This chapter explores the unification and expansion of China during the Qin and Han dynasties (221 B.C.E. to 220 C.E.). A rich tradition of the social and political philosophies of Confucians, Daoists, and Legalists was the foundation on which these and later dynasties rested. Some of the significant elements contributing to the unification of China in this period were: * The building of a centralized bureaucracy staffed with professionals educated in Confucian thought and values * A prosperous economy based on technological and industrial development and long-distance trade * The standardization of the written language NOTES: * In search of political and social order * Confucius (551-479 B.C.E.)
includes religion. Around 100 C.E., Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism, were China’s main religions. However, around 300 C.E., Buddhism started becoming popular, mainly due to Indian missionaries. Yet another cultural change in China revolves around inventions. The invention of paper in 105 C.E.
The barbarians were on attack to take over China. With the ruling of emperors and the military forces that are strictly taught, they helped defend China. China’s culture was the first to define out of the Asian cultures everywhere. There were many adaptations of new ideas. First, China adapted to Buddhism mainly but some were Christians.
The Silk Road began approximately 2,500 years ago and was an extensive trade route that linked many areas of the world together. More specifically this route according to E.E. Kuzmina and Victor H. Mair was between China, the Eurasian Steppe, Central Asia, and Europe, which went on to Byzantine and beyond (p. 1). This Road as Kuzmina and Mair stated, “Was used for transporting silk from China, while in the opposite direction, from Rome and other countries, traders brought to the Celestial Empire glassware, jewelry, and other goods of high aesthetic value” (p. 1). As Kuzmina and Mair also pointed out, the opening of this famous route is usually referred to as “taking place in the second B.C.