Transcript Han Dynasty - Thomas, Philip

Section 3
Han Emperors in China
The Han Dynasty expands China’s borders
and develops a system of government that
lasts for centuries.
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Han Emperors in China
The Han Restore Unity to China
Troubled Empire
• In Qin Dynasty peasants resent high taxes and harsh
labor, rebel
Liu Bang Founds the Han Dynasty
• Liu Bang defeats Xiang Yu, a rival for power, and
founds Han Dynasty
• Han Dynasty—begins in 202 B.C., lasts 400 years
• Han Dynasty has great influence on Chinese people,
culture
• Liu Bang establishes centralized government—a
central authority rules
• Liu Bang lowers taxes and reduces punishments to
keep people happy
Interactive
Continued . . .
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continued The
Han Restore Unity to China
The Empress Lü
• Liu Bang dies in 195 B.C.; wife Lü seizes control
of empire
• Empress Lü rules for her young son, outlives him
• Palace plots and power plays occur throughout
Han Dynasty
The Martial Emperor
• Liu Bang’s great-grandson Wudi rules from 141 to
87 B.C.
• “Martial Emperor” Wudi defeats Xiongnu
(nomads) and mountain tribes
• Colonizes Manchuria, Korea, and as far south as
what is now Vietnam
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A Highly Structured Society
Chart
Emperor’s Role
• Chinese believe their emperor has authority to
rule from god
• Believe prosperity reward of good rule; troubles
reveal poor rule
Structures of Han Government
• Complex bureaucracy runs Han government
• People pay taxes and supply labor, military service
• Government uses peasant labor to carry out public
projects
Continued . . .
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continued A
Highly Structured Society
Confucianism, the Road to Success
• Wudi’s government employs 130,000;
bureaucracy of 18 ranks of jobs
• Civil service jobs—government jobs obtained
through examinations
• Job applicants begin to be tested on knowledge
of Confucianism
• Wudi favors Confucian scholars, builds school to
train them
• Only sons of wealthy can afford expensive
schooling
• Civil service system works well, continues until
1912
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Han Technology, Commerce, and Culture
Technology Revolutionizes Chinese Life
Chart
• Invention of paper in A.D. 105 helps spread
education
• Collar harness, plow, wheelbarrow improve
farming
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
Image
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The 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
Image
Women’s Roles—Wives, Nuns, and Scholars
• Most women work in the home and on the farm
• Some upper-class women are educated, run shops,
practice medicine
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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
Wang Mang Overthrows the Han
• Economic problems and weak emperors cause
political instability
• In A.D. 9, Wang Mang seizes power and stabilizes
empire
• Wang Mang is assassinated in A.D. 23; Han soon
regain control
The Later Han Years
• Peace restored, Later Han Dynasty lasts until A.D. 220
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