Lesson 8: The Rise and Fall of Chinese Dynasties

The Rise and Fall of Chinese Dynasties

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify key Chinese dynasties and understand their governance systems.

What do you already know about Chinese dynasties?

Slide 1: Introduction

Welcome to the world of Chinese dynasties! Today, we will explore the rise and fall of these powerful ruling families.

Slide 2: What is a Dynasty?

A dynasty is a succession of rulers from the same family who govern a country for an extended period. It's like a royal family that passes power from one generation to the next.

Slide 3: Xia Dynasty

The Xia Dynasty was the first Chinese dynasty, ruling from around 2070 to 1600 BCE. It is considered legendary, and its existence is debated among historians.

Slide 4: Shang Dynasty

The Shang Dynasty ruled from around 1600 to 1046 BCE. They were known for their bronze casting, oracle bone script, and complex social hierarchy.

Slide 5: Zhou Dynasty

The Zhou Dynasty lasted from 1046 to 256 BCE, making it the longest-lasting dynasty in Chinese history. They introduced the concept of the Mandate of Heaven.

Slide 6: Qin Dynasty

The Qin Dynasty ruled from 221 to 206 BCE. It was during this time that China was unified under the first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, and the Great Wall of China was built.

Slide 7: Han Dynasty

The Han Dynasty followed the Qin Dynasty and lasted from 202 BCE to 220 CE. It is considered a golden age in Chinese history, known for its advancements in science, technology, and arts.

Slide 8: Interactive Question

Which dynasty is known for the construction of the Great Wall of China?

Slide 9: Tang Dynasty

The Tang Dynasty reigned from 618 to 907 CE. It is known for its prosperity, cultural achievements, and the Silk Road trade route.

Slide 10: Song Dynasty

The Song Dynasty lasted from 960 to 1279 CE. It was a time of great economic growth, technological advancements, and the development of Neo-Confucianism.

Slide 11: Yuan Dynasty

The Yuan Dynasty was ruled by the Mongols and lasted from 1271 to 1368 CE. The most famous ruler was Kublai Khan, who established the Yuan Dynasty and expanded its empire.

Slide 12: Ming Dynasty

The Ming Dynasty ruled from 1368 to 1644 CE. It is known for its naval expeditions led by Admiral Zheng He and the construction of the Forbidden City.

Slide 13: Interactive Question

Which dynasty is famous for its naval expeditions led by Admiral Zheng He?

Slide 14: Qing Dynasty

The Qing Dynasty, also known as the Manchu Dynasty, ruled from 1644 to 1912 CE. It was the last imperial dynasty of China before the republic was established.

Slide 15: Interactive Question

Which dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China?

Slide 16: Republic of China

After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the Republic of China was established in 1912. It marked the end of the dynastic rule in China.

Slide 17: People's Republic of China

The People's Republic of China was established in 1949 and is the current government of China. It is a socialist state governed by the Communist Party of China.

Slide 18: Interactive Question

What is the current government system in China?

Slide 19: Summary

Congratulations! You have learned about key Chinese dynasties and their governance systems. Remember, dynasties played a crucial role in shaping China's rich history.

Slide 20: Final Question

What was the longest-lasting Chinese dynasty?

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.