Religion & Ancestors
What did early Chinese people believe could influence weather, farming, and health?
Spirits
Which Chinese thinker taught respect, honesty, and education?
Confucius
What title did the Qin ruler give himself after unifying China?
Shi Huangdi, meaning First Emperor.
Which philosophy supported strict laws and harsh punishments?
Legalism
Which dynasty replaced the Qin dynasty?
The Han dynasty
What was the practice of honoring deceased family members through prayers and offerings?
Ancestor worship
Which philosophy emphasized living in harmony with nature?
Daoism
In what year did Shi Huangdi unite China?
221 BCE
Name one hardship people faced under Qin rule.
Forced labor, heavy taxes, or harsh punishments.
Who was the first Han emperor, also known as Emperor Gaozu?
Liu Bang
What does filial piety mean?
Respect and obedience toward parents and elders.
What did Confucius believe leaders should do to improve society?
Act responsibly and set good examples.
What does it mean to standardize something?
To make things the same or consistent.
In what year did Shi Huangdi die?
210 BCE
What is the civil service?
Government workers who help manage a country.
Why did families make offerings to their ancestors?
They hoped their ancestors would protect them and bring good fortune.
What does the Dao, or “the Way,” represent?
The natural way of the universe.
Name two things Shi Huangdi standardized throughout China.
Writing, money, weights, or measurements.
What caused rebellions against the Qin government?
Heavy taxes, forced labor, harsh punishments, and anger toward the government.
Name two responsibilities of Han government officials.
Collecting taxes, enforcing laws, or managing local areas.
How did ancestor worship strengthen Chinese society?
It connected generations and encouraged family loyalty and respect.
What is one major difference between Confucianism and Daoism?
Confucianism emphasized social duties and responsibility, while Daoism emphasized nature, simplicity, and balance.
Why did Shi Huangdi connect and expand walls along China's northern frontier?
To help defend China against attacks from the north.
In what year did the Qin dynasty collapse, and which dynasty replaced it?
206 BCE; the Han dynasty.
Give one similarity and one difference between the Qin and Han dynasties.
Both used centralized government. The Qin relied heavily on Legalism and harsh punishments, while the Han promoted Confucianism and education.