Han Dynasty - China 202 BC – 220 AD

The Han Restore Unity in China Troubled Empire In the Qin Dynasty the peasants resent high taxes and harsh labor, and rebel Qin Emperor loses Mandate of Heaven, overthrown

The Han Restore Unity in China Liu Bang Founds the Han Dynasty Liu Bang defeats a rival for power, and founds the Han Dynasty about 202 B.C. The Han Dynasty lasts about 400 years and has great influence on people and culture Liu Bang establishes centralized government: a central authority rule lowers taxes reduces punishments to keep people happy

Depiction of Emperor Liu Bang

The Han Restore Unity in China The Martial Emperor Liu Bang’s great-grandson Wudi rules from 141 to 87 B.C. “Martial Emperor” Wudi defeats nomads and mountain tribes Colonizes from Korea to Vietnam

Han Society Family Life Filial Piety Confucianism shaped Chinese society Confucius taught that family was central to well-being of the state Han officials believed dutiful children made respectful subjects Filial Piety Children served parents as they aged, honored dead at household shrines Fathers – Head of Family Obedience, devotion to parents/grandparents Some men even received government jobs because of respect shown parents

A Highly Structured Society Confucianism, the Road to Success Government employed 130,000; bureaucracy of 18 ranks of jobs Civil service jobs—government jobs obtained through examinations. Job applicants tested on knowledge of Confucianism Emperors favor Confucian scholars, schools built to train them Only sons of wealthy can afford expensive schooling

A Highly Structured Society Peasant Class Approx. 90% of people in China were peasants 54 mil. of 60 million Lived in small villages in simple houses, labored long hours in fields, worked on government projects in winter High taxes, bad weather forced them into debt Many had to sell lands, become laborers for wealthy

A Highly Structured Society Emperor’s Role Chinese believe their emperor has authority to rule from god Mandate of Heaven Believe prosperity is the reward of good rule, and troubles reveal poor rule.

A Highly Structured Society Structures of Han Government Complex bureaucracy runs Han government People pay taxes and supply labor and military service Government uses peasant labor to carry out public projects

Han Technology and Commerce Technology Revolutionizes Chinese Life Invention of paper in A.D. 105 helps spread education Collar harness, plow, and wheelbarrow improve farming Silk Fabric beautiful, soft, strong Clothing costly, in high demand

Han Technology and Commerce Agriculture Versus Commerce As population grows, farming regarded as important activity Government allows monopolies—control by one group over key industries Techniques for producing silk become state secret as profits increase Revealing secret punishable by death

The Silk Roads Merchants traveling between China, Central Asia used overland routes called the Silk Roads This network of routes eventually stretched from China over 4,000 miles and linked China to India, the Middle East, and the Roman Empire

The Silk Roads

The Silk Roads Travelers on Silk Roads crossed rugged, barren terrain For protection, traveled in huge camel caravans Most merchants traveled only part of way Traded for goods from distant lands Most goods traded were small, valuable, highly profitable luxury items

Effects of Silk Road Trade Growth of trade increased prosperity Demand for Chinese goods led to increased trade with west Blood-sweating horses To obtain them, Emperor conquered more land

Effects of Silk Road Trade Traders also carried ideas over the Silk Roads Buddhism spread to China from India Example of cultural diffusion Spread of ideas from one culture to another

Han Unifies Chinese Culture Bringing Different Peoples Under Chinese Rule To unify empire, Chinese government encourages assimilation Assimilation—integrating conquered peoples into Chinese culture Writers encourage unity by recording Chinese history

The Fall of the Han and Their Return The Rich Take Advantage of the Poor Large landowners gain control of more and more land Gap between rich and poor increases Buddhism gained popularity Buddhism’s message of rebirth offered hope Han government became less stable, violence increased

The Fall of the Han and Their Return Wang Mang Overthrows the Han Economic problems and weak emperors cause political instability Han emperors lose Mandate of Heaven In A.D. 9, Wang Mang seizes power and stabilizes empire Wang Mang is assassinated in A.D. 23; Han soon regain control

The Fall of the Han and Their Return The Later Han Years Peace is restored. The Later Han Dynasty lasts until A.D. 220