The empire cracks
Open the map in 209 BC (the borders shown are those of 200 BC). Find the Huai River plain in the east, where the first great revolt began. Why might people far from the capital rebel first?
Open this view on the mapQin and Han dynasties, China · 209-202 BC
From Qin to Han: rebels and a commoner emperor
One year after the First Emperor died, farmers late for duty rose in revolt. Within three years the Qin were gone, and by 202 BC a village official named Liu Bang had founded the Han dynasty. Students find out why one dynasty fell so fast and the next lasted 400 years.
- Length
- 45 minutes
- Ages
- 12–15
- On the map
- 3 steps, 209 BC to 200 BC
- Live lesson
- 7 rounds, 3 on the map
- Worksheet
- Two A4 pages, with Classroom
- You need
- A projector; phones for live
Live lesson · new in Classroom
Teach it live. The class answers on their phones.
Put the board on the projector. Students join with a six-digit code, no account needed, and tap the map: where was the frontier, where did the grain come from. Their pins drop in together when you reveal, and the closest student takes the round.
€19 per month: every lesson live, every worksheet, cancel anytime. Rome at its height runs live for free.
- 7 rounds
- 3 places to find on the map, quiz questions, a class vote and a one-line answer.
- About 15 minutes
- Run it as the map step, or to open the discussion. You move on with the space bar.
- A report
- Every answer, per student and per round, to read back or print after the lesson.
Introduction
5 minRead aloud
One year after the First Emperor died, farmers late for duty rose in revolt. Within three years the Qin were gone, and by 202 BC a village official named Liu Bang had founded the Han dynasty. Students find out why one dynasty fell so fast and the next lasted 400 years.
By the end of the lesson, students can
- Explain why the Qin dynasty collapsed so quickly after the First Emperor's death.
- Compare the two rebel leaders, Xiang Yu and Liu Bang.
- Describe what the early Han changed and what they kept from the Qin system.
Explore the map
12 minProject the map, or let students follow on their own devices. Each step opens the map at the right year and place.
The race to the capital
Turn on the Cities layer and find Chang'an, next to the old Qin capital. In 206 BC Liu Bang got there first and the last Qin ruler surrendered. Why was the capital the big prize?
Open this view on the mapThe Han begin
Jump to 200 BC and zoom out to see the whole Han Empire and the Xiongnu to the north. Which is bigger? What problem will the new emperor face first?
Open this view on the mapClass discussion
14 minPick two or three. They run from what happened to why it mattered.
- Chen Sheng and Wu Guang rebelled because the punishment for arriving late was death. What does this tell you about Qin law?
- Chen Sheng asked whether kings and nobles are born to their rank. Why was this such a dangerous question?
- Xiang Yu was a noble and a great general; Liu Bang was a commoner who listened to his advisers. Why did Liu Bang win?
- The Han kept much of the Qin government but softened its laws. Why keep a system that many people hated?
- The Han lasted about 400 years, the Qin only 15. What made the difference?
Game round
9 minPlay Hannibal Barca in Rule History: his war with Rome ended at Zama in 202 BC, the same year Liu Bang beat Xiang Yu at Gaixia. After the round, compare: what did Liu Bang do after his victory that kept his dynasty in power for four centuries?
Open Rule HistoryWorksheet
5 minThis worksheet comes with Classroom
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