1. 15.3 Han Society and Achievements

2. Han Society The Han Dynasty was time of innovation and economic development Many cultures existed in the empire Had a common currency Shared values

3. Han Society Social Order Based on the teachings of Confucius Valued mental work over hard labor Scholars were highly valued Artisans were valued for their skill and hardwork Little respect for merchants because they didn’t produce anything The gov. limited the merchants Some merchants still became wealthy The small number of slaves were at the bottom of the social order

4. Han Society Family Life Confucius also taught about loyalty to family and respect for elders Laws allowed parents to report children who did not act with filial piety (children honoring their parents) Adult children could be punished by the government

5. Han Society The Role of Women Women were generally lower in status than men Most work was done at home There were exceptions like Ban Zhao Court historian Even she accepted the role of women at that time

6. Economic Life Life was more peaceful than before Taxes were collected China prospered Agriculture Farming was the backbone of China Silk - the most expensive cloth in the ancient world Farmed Woven Workshops made it into clothes Traded – as far away as Rome

7. Economic Life Industry Iron Production Salt mining These were so important that the government made them state monopolies, or industries controlled by the government Profits from these allowed Emperor Wudi pay for his military conquests

8. Economic Life Controlling Production and Prices Before the gov. monopolies the owners of iron and salt production be rich Challenged the emperors power Began to take farmers away from their fields Not enough farmers could lead to famine

9. Economic Life Controlling Production and Prices They tried to keep prices stable When the harvest was good the government would buy extra grain so the price would stay up When the harvest was bad they would sell back some grain to keep prices lower This using the law of supply and demand These policies did not always work Some officials tried to make a profit Quality of the work wasn’t always as good

10. Han Achievements While the Han dynasty prospered it allowed for the arts and sciences to grow China’s Traditional Arts Sculpture Music Calligraphy Garden design laquerware

11. Han Achievements Advances in Science Astronomers created accurate calendars Medicine Studied older texts and made new advances in medicine including: Herbal remedies acupuncture

12. Han Achievements Chinese Inventions Seismometer Wheelbarrow Paper Cheaper to write on than wood or silk Allowed more people to own books