Lesson 19: The Political Development of Imperial China

• Imperial China is divided up into...

  dynasties
• During the Han, government officials were chosen based on their...


  ability to pass strict tests
• the first Chinese emperor:


  Prince Zheng / Qin Shi Haungdi
• Mandate of heaven


  a Chinese belief that permitted people to overthrow a bad ruler
• Han dynasty


  China's golden age of expansion & prosperity
• Corruption in the government brought along...


  the downfall of the Han
• Civil service exams were created by...

  the Han
• During the Tang, civil service exams favored...

  aristocrats
• Peasant rebellions and battles between generals led to...

  the downfall of the Tang in 907
• During the Song, the basis of study for civil service exams was...

  Zhu Xi's writings : Four Books
• Civil service exams during the Song were available to more candidates meaning it was a...


  meritocracy
• Based on the teachings of Confucius:


  those who are below should be kind to those above, as well as those above should be kind to those below, and you should treat the ones on your level equally the same
• Civil service exams were set up to prevent cheating during the...


  Song
• The emperor who ended the system of civil service exams:

  Kublai Khan
• Loyalty


  a characteristic Kublai Khan thought was most vital in his government officials
• People who filled government positions during the Yaun:


  trusted foreigners
• Civil service exams were based on the teachings of:

  Confucius
• Civil service exams benefited China.


  • well organized government
  • emphasized moral behavior
  • proper conduct
  • importance of family
  • lower class people w/ ambition could become government officials
  • unified Chinese culture
• Civil service exams stood in the way of progress.


  • teachings did not cover science, mathematics, or engineering
  • trade & business was not encouraged
• Which method of selecting officials led to the best leaders for China?

  Civil service examinations
• Aristocracy


  a ruling class of noble families
• Bureaucracy


  a highly complex body of workers with many levels of authority
• Civil service examinations


  a test given to qualify candidates for positions in the government
• Dynasty


  a line of rulers descended from one family
• Emperor


  the political leader of a territory contain several countries or groups of people
• Emphasized


  to call attention to or highlight the importance of something
• Imperial


  belonging or related to an emperor
• Irrigation


  a means of supplying land with water
• Meritocracy


  rule by officials of proven merit
• Rational


  using reason and understanding
• Warloads


  a military leader operating outside the control of the government
• When did the Mongols conquer Asia?


  1300 C.E.