CIVILIZATION: Classical Civilization China Time period Zhou Dynasty- 1029-221 BCE Qin Dynasty- 221-202 BCE Han Dynasty- 202 BCE- 220 CE Geographic Description Located on the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers. Expanding dynasties. Moved beyond Yellow and Yangtze River Moved beyond Yellow and Yangtze River; extended westward along Silk road during Emperor Wudi?s reign. P Used the Mandate of Heaven and dynastic cycle for the rise and fall of dynasties. Government was feudalism where local lords governed; given land and in return provided military service to their leader. Confucius theorized on the structure of the gov?t but his teachings were not widely accepted until Han; Laozi also criticized chaos Shi Huangdi a strong, autocratic leader.