Chapter 20-2 Ancient China The Han Dynasty

Main Ideas Han dynasty government was largely based on the ideas of Confucius. Han China supported and strengthened family life. The Han made many achievements in art, literature, and learning.

The Rise of a New Dynasty In 205 BC Liu Bang became the first emperor of the Han dynasty, which lasted for more than 400 years. Liu Bang was the first common person to become emperor. Liu Bang wanted to free people from harsh government policies. Liu Bang changed the way that government worked.

Wudi Creates a New Government In 140 BC Emperor Wudi took the throne. He created a stronger government. He made Confucianism China’s official government policy.

Confucianism A philosophy based on the teachings of a man named Confucius. It emphasizes the importance of ethics and moral values.

Han Government Han government officials were expected to practice Confucianism. Studying Confucianism could get a person a good job in China. Wudi began a university to teach Confucian ideas. The Han period was a time of great social change in China.

Han China supported and strengthened family life. Based on the Confucian system, people were divided into four classes. The classes only divided people into social rank. They did not indicate wealth or power. People’s lifestyles varied according to wealth. Confucian teachings about the family were honored during Wudi’s reign.

Social Classes Upper class Second class Third class Lowest class Made up of the emperor, his court, and scholars who held government positions Second class The largest, was made up of peasants Third class Artisans, who produced items for daily life and some luxury goods Lowest class Merchants, because they did not actually produce anything, but merely bought and sold what others made

The Rich Lived in multilevel homes Owned large estates Employed laborers to work the land Hired private armies to defend their estates Filled their homes with expensive decorations

The Poor About 90 percent of the people living in Han China were peasants. Worked long, tiring days working the land Forced to work on building projects for the government in the winter Wore plain clothing Lived in small villages in small wood-framed houses with walls of mud or stamped earth

Confucian teachings about the family Children were taught to respect their elders. The father was the head of the family and had absolute power. It was a woman’s duty to obey her husband, and children had to obey their father.

Confucianism and the government Han officials believed that if the family was strong and people obeyed the father, then they would also obey the emperor. The Han rewarded strong family ties and respect for elders.

Art and Literature Experts at figure painting Painted realistic scenes from everyday life Created new styles of verse, including the fu and shi styles Produced important works of history Sima Qian wrote a complete history of all the dynasties through the early Han.

Inventions and Advances Invented paper and produced books Built the sundial, a device that uses the position of shadows cast by the sun to tell the time of day Designed a seismograph, a device that measures the strength of earthquakes Practiced acupuncture, the practice of inserting fine needles through the skin at specific points to cure disease or relieve pain