Ancient China A Time of Achievement – Lesson 4

The Han Dynasty 206 BC Qin fell – civil war followed Peasants, nobles, generals, officials all fought for power In Han state, Liu Bang claimed title King of Han 202 BC -Liu Bang’s army gained control of Qin lands Liu Bang declared himself emperor – named Han Gaozu = “High Ancestor”

The Han Dynasty Gaozu’s rule begins Han Dynasty Lasted more than 400 years (202 BC -AD 220) Capital city – Chang’an (Xian) Peasants liked Gaozu because came from family of poor farmers – he understood G gave land and reduced taxes

The Han Dynasty Han emperors continued to unite China Believed in strong government and all- powerful leader; HOWEVER, followed some teaching of Confucius (mixed Legalism and Confucianism) Less rules that Shi Huangdi – depended on people to obey rulers (filial piety concept of Confucius) Developed imperial bureaucratic state – lasted 2000 years

Wu Di and Civil Service 141 BC – Wu Di was emperor “Warlike Emperor” Formed large armies to protect and expand empire Troops sent north to drive back invaders By 101 BC, empire included western China, Korea ancient Korea and Vietnam To pay for armies, new taxes set

Wu Di and Civil Service Wu Di respected ideas of Confucius Started university to teach Confucian ideas Made Confucianism official religion Founded civil service = part of bureaucracy that does day-to-day running of government Civil servants picked based on ability – had to pass written test.

Wu Di and Civil Service Civil Service benefits – educated people in government jobs those who did well raised their social status Education became important in China

Cultural Achievements

Science Improved paper making First seismograph (to show location and strength of earthquakes) Sundials and water clocks Literature Poetry – still read today Sima Qian – wrote 1 st history of China

Silk Road and Trade 139 BC Wu Di sent ambassador (government representative) to western Asia to find people to help fight invaders Learned about western Asia – eventually Wu Di controlled lands and trade routes Most-traveled trade routes became known as Silk Road 4000 miles from Han capital to Mediterranean Sea (now China connected to Europe)

Silk Road and Trade Chinese traders West with silk – traded for horses, glass, spices, fruits, musical instruments Those who got Chinese items traded those for other things, SO items traveled even farther Ideas also spread (cultural diffusion) Buddhism came north to China from India

Big Ideas 2. Civil Service developed and education gained importance. 3. With trade, China became less isolated from the rest of the world. 1. Han Dynasty combined Legalism and Confucianism.