1. The Han Dynasty

2.  The Han Dynasty lasted over 400 years from 206 B.C.E. to 220 C.E  Begun by Liu Bang after civil war

3. Centralized Gov’t  Liu Bang wanted the power to lie within the center of the gov’t and not in the hands of the nobles  Central gov’t – central authority controls the running of the state  Similar to the United States gov’t

4. Confucianism!  Liu Bang wanted to do away with Shi Huangdi’s harsh ruling - adopted Confucianism  Wudi – introduced civil service jobs  Gave tests like Confucius suggested  Confucius lived 400 yrs earlier

5. Han Contributions  Great inventors  In 132 CE, a Han inventor invented the world’s first seismograph, an instrument that measures earthquakes.

6. First seismograph

7. Seismograph Today

8. Papermaking  Invented around 105 CE  Before, books were written on silk  Paper was cheaper…books more available => education spreads

9. Chinese paper

10. Han Art  Also developed the arts  Landscape and portrait paintings advanced  Authors wrote many essays and plays  Authors also wrote history, which is why we know about them.

12. Han Philosophies  The Han made Confucianism the official philosophy of China  Han rulers also supported Daoism which teachers the key to happiness is accepting life as it is

13. Chinese Trade TThe Chinese product most in demand by other people was silk. TThe trade route from China to Arabia and Europe takes its name from silk. It was called the Silk Road. TTraders traveled from China with silk. TThey returned with lumber, horses, and other products the Chinese people needed.

14. Map of the Silk Road

15. The Silk Road  The Chinese used the Silk Road to export their silk.  Export means that they sent their goods to other lands to be sold.  The Chinese also imported what they needed from other countries.  Import means goods that are brought in.  The Chinese made profits, or money gained, from their exporting on the Silk Road.