The ancient Chinese system of government evolved from feudalism to a centralized imperial system. During the Shang dynasty, China was ruled as a feudal system with the king controlling the capital area and dividing the rest of the land into feudal states governed by feudal lords (shi) who paid tribute. The Qin dynasty defeated the other states and created China's first centralized empire with a unitary system of government characterized by direct control over provinces through governors. The Mandate of Heaven established the belief that heaven blessed wise rulers and people could overthrow rulers who lost heaven's mandate. The Han dynasty introduced civil service exams to recruit officials based on merit rather than birth.

1. Government in Ancient China

2.  Shang Dynasty
 King only controlled the area around the capital area
directly and divided his kingdom into smaller units of land
called Feudal states. Ruled by feudal shi.
 The shi had to pay the king a tribute of grain and precious gifts.
 People in the state had to provide food and labor to the shi. In
order to be allowed to farm the land and be protected by his
army.
 Feudalism lasted until Western Zhou Dynasty
Feudalism

3.  Later part of Eastern Zhou Dynasty, shi fought among
themselves for more land. King could no longer
control them
 This was called period of Warring States. This caused the
northern China to break into several smaller kingdom.
 Feudalism ended in 221 BCE, kingdoms were defeated
and the first Chinese empire was created under Qin
dynasty. This dynasty introduced the centralized Rule.
Feudalism

4. Period Type of Government Key Features
Shang Dynasty
(1523 – 1027 BCE)
Feudalism Shi – Feudal states, pays
tribute to the king and
received goods. Gives
farmland and protection.
Eastern Zhou Dynasty
(771-221 BCE)
Breakdown of feudalism Period of the Warring
States. (Shi fought against
themselves)
Qin Dynasty
(221 – 206 BCE)
Unitary system of
government (centralized
rule)
Qin shihuang defeated
other shi to create China’s
first centralized empire.
From Feudalism to Centralized Rule

5.  Removed feudal shi.
 Divided the land into 36 provinces.
 Representatives: military governor, civilian governor,
inspector to watch over the two governors.
 Standard law, system of measurement, coinage, writing
script across the empire – created sense of unity.
 Strict and cruel. Execute lawbreaker’s entire family.
 Killed scholars who opposed him.
 After his death, the dynasty was overthrown within 4 yrs.
Imperial Unification under Qin
Shihuang

6.  Good rulers were called “Sons of Heaven”
 If he is not good. Natural disasters would be interpreted
as sign of the emperor’s losing the Mandate of Heaven
 People felt the power to overthrow the ruler and
change the government, bringing a new dynasty to
power.
Mandate of Heaven

7.  Before Han Dynasty, it is composed of the rich and
powerful
 Emperor Han Wudi, introduced the imperial Civil Service
examination.
 Setup the 1st imperial university in 124 BCE to teach law and
history to the candidates.
 Those who does well are given positions. They are called
scholar-officials.
 By the end of the Han Dynasty, they grew about 130,000
scholar officials.
Changes in the Civil Service

8. Unitary Government Mandate of Heaven Civil Service
• Direct control over
the provinces by the
capital through
governors and
inspectors.
• Uniform laws,
measurement, coins
and script
throughout the
empire.
• Harsh punishments
for disobedience.
• Belief that heaven
blessed a wise and
just ruler. – “Son of
Heaven”
• People had the right
to overthrow the
ruler if they felt he
was losing the
Mandate
• Civil Services
examination -
Introduced by Han
Wudi
• 124 BCE first imperial
university was set
up to prepare the
candidates.
Key Features of Ancient China’s
System of Government