1. The Han Dynasty of China: A Chinese Golden Age
Image courtesy of Wikipedia.
(206 BCE-220 CE) 1

2. Political China was ruled by Dynasties Strong centralized government
Qin were first but lost the mandate of Heaven
Han came second
Strong centralized government
Government was efficient
All bureaucrats had to pass difficult tests

3. Economic Agriculture was considered very important
Trade was not respected but was still very important
Traded with Roman Empire VIA Silk Road
Government had Monopolies on most businesses (Silk, Mining, Alcohol)

4. Economic - Silk Road

5. Religious Two sets of ideas influenced Chinese religions
Confucianism: Harmony comes from respecting elders and the Emperor
Daoism: Happiness is accepting life as it is
Schools taught these ideas to all people to unify the lands of Han China

6. Social

7. Intellectual Many Inventions including: Seismograph Paper Water Wheel
Improved Plow
Collar Harness

8. Artistic Landscape and portrait paintings were advanced
Han authors wrote many essays, plays and histories (which is why we know so much about them)

9. Early Chinese Dynasties
Xia – 2205 B.C. – 1766 B.C. Post Neolithic
Shang B.C. to 1172 B.C.
Zhou B.C. to 256 B.C.
Qin B.C. to 206 B.C.
Han B.C. to 221 A.D.

10. Chinese Civilizations: Han Dynasty
Silk Road

11. Section 3 Han Emperors in China 206 BC–220 AD

12. Founded by Han Gaozu

13. Chinese Civilizations: Han Dynasty (207 B.C. – 200 A.D.)
Confucianism returns – Buddhism arrives
Golden age of China
Strict rules were modified
Confucian concepts were established
Imperial-style government developed by the Ch’in dynasty was kept
Han Dynasty was known for military prowess
Creativity
Paper was invented
Collar harness
Wheelbarrow
Great canals to link rivers for trade and transportation were created
Art flourished

14. Promoted Confucianism Est. Civil Service Began “Silk Road”
Han Contributions
Promoted Confucianism
Est. Civil Service
Began “Silk Road”
“Pax Sinica” (Wudi)
Built a University
Technological Developments

15. Chinese Civilizations: Han Dynasty
Silk Road

16. Trade Route to Roman Empire

17. Han – Roman Empire Connection

18. Two Great Empires: Han China and Rome
Han Dynasty – 202 B.C. to A.D. 220
Roman Empire – 27 BC to AD 476
Empire replaced rival kingdoms
Centralized, bureaucratic gov.
Built roads and defensive walls
Conquered many diverse peoples.
Chinese – written language
Ongoing conflict – nomads
Fell, restored 618 by Tang D.
Empire replaced republic
Centralized, bureaucratic gov.
Built roads and defensive walls
Conquered many diverse peoples. – 3 continents
Latin – did not replace other written languages
Ongoing conflict – nomads
Empire fell never restored.