1. The Han Dynasty
Section 4, Chapter 7

2. Rise of a New Dynasty
Qin collapses in 207 BC
After several years of fighting, an army under Liu Bang wins control
Liu Bang is the first emperor of the Han Dynasty which lasts for 400 years

3. Liu Bang
He was a commoner
He was very popular with his soldiers and peasants
He lowered taxes and was less severe
He relied on educated officials

4. Han Dynasty, c. 206 BC AD

5. Wudi
Wudi becomes emperor in 140 BC
He created a stronger central government by taking land from the lords and raising taxes
Gov’t controlled supply of grain

6. Confucianism became the official government philosophy
Wudi opened one of the first universities
People had to pass an exam to become officials in the government
Wealthy families had the edge

7. Family Life
There was great social change under the Han
People were divided into four classes
1. Emperor and government officials

8. 2. The largest were the peasants
3. Artisans who made goods for daily life
4. Merchants; they were lowest because they didn’t produce anything
Military offered chance to rise

9. Class did not determine wealth
Peasants, though second highest class, were poor
Lifestyle varied according to wealth
60 million people lived during the Han Dynasty and 90% were peasants in the countryside

10. Heavy taxes and bad weather forced many farmers to sell out
At the end of the Han Dynasty, only a few farmers were independent
They lived very simple lives and lived in wood-framed houses with mud walls

11. The Revival of the Family
Confucianism was once again a major influence
Fathers were the heads of their families and to be respected
The Han stressed strong family ties

12. Children were encouraged to serve their parents
Boys were more valued than girls

13. Experts at figure painting Painted realistic scenes
Han Achievements
Art and Literature
Experts at figure painting
Painted realistic scenes
“Fu” style of poetry
“Shi” featured short lines

14. Chinese Art

15. Fu Poetry
The city has fallen: only the hills and rivers remain. In Spring the streets were green with grass and trees. Sorrowing over the times, the flowers are weeping. The birds startled my heart in fear of departing. The beacon fires were burning for three months, A letter from home was worth ten thousand pieces of gold. I scratch the scant hairs on my white head, And vainly attempt to secure them with a hairpin.

16. Shi Poetry
To what can our life on earth be likened? To a flock of geese, alighting on the snow. Sometimes leaving a trace of their passage.

17. Inventions and Advances
Produced “books”
The sundial
The seismograph
Acupuncture

18. Chinese Book
Seismograph

19. Sundial
Acupuncture