The Han Dynasty206 BCE-221 CE

Early Han Period: 206 BCE-8 CE(Wang Mang Rules: 9 CE-23 CE)

Later Han Period: 23 CE-221 CE

End of Qin Shi Huangdi dies, son takes over—weak and

ineffectual ruler

All parts of society hate the Qin—rebellions quickly break out—kings want to return to their own states

Potential return to the Warring States mentality but a few key players emerge quickly

Xiang Yu vs. Liu Bang Xiang Yu—Nephew of the leader of the Chu State

Liu Bang—military leader from the Han, fighting on the side of the Chu to overthrow the Qin dynasty

‘King’ of the Chu state promises power to the first general who reaches the capital of the Qin in Guangzhong

Liu Bang arrives first and the last Qin Emperor surrenders to him (even though he did not have the most men or the most victories), per the agreement he is named “King of Guanzhong”

Xiang Yu is mad, names himself the King of the Western Chu and divides the Qin territory into 18 parts. He gives Liu Bang a remote area instead of the better area of Guanzhong.

Therefore—WAR between the 2

After 5 years of fighting each other (and others), Liu Bang wins, Xiang Yu kills himself

Han Dynasty begins, 202 BCE

Liu Bang (Gaozu)—First Emperor of the Han

Dynasty Peasant with military

experience—huge base of support

“The Prince is on the boat, the common people are the water. The water can support the boat, or the water can capsize the boat.”

Deliberate, calm, cautious

Generous, kept his ‘peasant’ ways charismatic

How does he rule?Realizes people want peace and stability

Takes the best from previous Dynasties and leaves the worst Zhou—gives land rewards to his supporters BUT doesn’t

allow them military power or let them pick their staff • Qin—gets rid of harsh punishments BUT keeps the

unification

• Lowers taxes

• Embraces Confucianism

• Seeks out educated officials to help him rule

External Problems…? Xiongnu Alliance

(Nomads)

Can’t defeat them militarily make peace treaties with them

Offer marriage to a Chinese princess with gifts in exchange for peace

Sets precedent for future

After Gaozu’s death… Only rules for 7 years, dies in 195

His son take over but his widow Empress Lu really has the power, his son dies

Empress Lu retained control for 15 years by ‘helping’ the child emperors rule—one infant after another

When she dies, the advisors loyal to Liu Bang’s side of the family bring all the family members of Empress Lu to the capital and execute them—hoping to eliminate the power struggles within the family.

Liu Bang’s Great-Grandson Wu Di takes

over, 140 BCE Greatest Accomplishment:

Expansion of China’s Borders

Xiongnu—Nomads kept invading despite gifts huge invasion by Wu Di.

Eventually pushes the nomads back and crushes their southern alliance

Also invades to northeast and the south, doubles the size of the Empire

Opens up a ‘safer’ route for trade to the West

The Silk Road

Silk Road Army victories bring more Chinese into central Asia

Desire for tough, fast, ponies from Central Asia prompt trade

Merchants on both ends brought goods to traders who travelled the dangerous middle portion

Traders travelled in groups/caravans to share resources and protect themselves from bandits

Chinese Silk brought HUGE profits from Western buyers,

Trade also brought realization that China wasn’t only part of the world (and new religion—Buddhism)

Role of Confucianism in Society

Confucianism continues as the main philosophy of the Han Dynasty Anyone wanting to become a government official had

to be recommended and then pass a test about Confucian ideas and values entrenches the idea of merit and entrenches Confucianism in the culture

Leads to a strict social structure based on Confucian relationships

One of the few social structures where peasants were NOT at the bottom.

Other Key Ideas during Wu Di’s Rule

Sima Qian—the Court Historian Writes the Shiji (Record of the Grand Historian

Bureaucracy and war is costly raises taxes, takes part of the peasant’s crops, forces military service

Despite focus on Confucian values—also legalistic. Wudi becomes more paranoid and his punishments become more severe—people are becoming unhappy

Wang Mang, 9 AD Regent for infant Han Emperor

—then takes power for himself

Tries to establish the Xin Dynasty, claims the Han have lost the Mandate of Heaven

Attempts to re-distribtue land to peasants landowners hate him

Messed with the coins merchants hate him

Bad negotiator with the Nomads Military hates him

Yellow River shifts course peasants hate him

Killed in 23 CE, considered a rebel, not a founder of a new Dynasty

Later Han Period Han descendants reclaim the throne from Wang

Mang and begin the Later Han Period ( 23-221 AD)

Starts off ok but weakens quickly. Why? Nomads—semi-conquered within the Chinese Empire.

Angry because they settled but are treated worse than those still attacking who are getting gifts internal rebellion from ex-nomads

Plots within the palace and the potential heirs AD 184—Yellow River Floods Peasant Revolts

Rebellions and ReligionAutocratic State—no chance for political opposition so

many rebel leaders were linked to religious movements Yellow Turbans: Rebellion led by Daoist Sect leader

with healing powers—rallies the peasants Five Pecks of Rice Band: Encouraged ‘atonement’ for

sins by community labor and revolt to create a new state

Both rebellions are put down but they weaken the dynasty

(Note—later Communist leaders remember history when they crack down on religious movements)

Decline of the Han Generals have wide power to deal with the rebellions

3 Generals fight amongst themselves and the already weakened Han Dynasty breaks apart into 3 regions ruled by 3 different generals

By 221, the Han Dynasty is dead

Accomplishments of the Han Dynasty

Temporary peace with Nomads, many wars expansion of Chinese Territory, doubles the Empire

Silk Road—trade, riches, and knowledge of the outside world

Sima Qian leaves detailed historical records

Confucian values take root in Chinese Culture

Inventions like paper, improved use of iron , and the intense focus on education lead to scholarly advances in math, science, medicine, farming, and lots of great poetry and literature