HAN EMPERORS IN CHINA

202 BCE – CE 220

QIN DYNASTY China is unified under Shi Huangdi He died in 210 BCE Son = weak ruler Government fell apart

HAN DYNASTY Liu Bang

Destroys rival king’s power

Centralized government Central authority controls

the running of the state Hundreds of local officials of

provinces reported back to the central government Commanderies

Departs from Legalism Lowered taxes Softened harsh

punishments Brought peace and

stability to China

EMPRESS LU Wife of Liu Bang Liu Bang died in

195 BCE Empress Lu

ruled Young son had the

actual title of “emperor”

Died in 180 BCE

WUDI Liu Bang’s great-grandson Turned to Confucianism Expanded empire to nearly

present-day China boundaries Government encouraged

assimilation Process of making these conquered

peoples part of Chinese culture Through farmers, schools, &

intermarriages Upper class women gained an

education 60 million people to feed

Confucian scholars considered agriculture & farmers the most important & honored occupation

HAN DYNASTY

A HIGHLY STRUCTURED GOVERNMENTComplex Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy = strong administrative organization Farmers owed part of their yearly crops to the government Merchants paid taxes Owed government a month’s worth of labor/military service

every year Built roads, canals, & irrigation ditches Expanded the Great Wall

Civil service jobs Government jobs that civilians obtained by taking exams

Set up schools & colleges to study Confucianism Learn reverence, generosity, truthfulness, diligence, & kindness Took exams in history, law, literature, & Confucianism Any male could take these exams & attend school

Wealthy landowners could afford to send their sons

TECHNOLOGY Paper

Could print books cheaper Spreads education

Bureaucracy expands Collar harness

Horses could pull heavy loads Two bladed plow Wheelbarrow Watermills

Grinds grain

SILK ROAD China to Rome Silk

Leading export of Chinaso valuable that China kept it a secret on

how to make silk Monopoly

Exclusive control over the production and distribution of certain goods

SILK ROAD

REBELLION & RESTORATION Gap increased between rich & poor

Only lower classes had to pay taxes Political & economic instability grew

WANG MANG Confucian scholar Takes control of Han

Dynasty Ends the first half of

the Han Dynasty Known as the Former Han

Minted new money to cover treasury shortages

Opened public granaries to help feed the poor

GREAT FLOOD CE 11 Thousands dead Millions homeless Not enough food in the granaries to feed

millions Led to rebellions

LATER HAN Han Dynasty is re-established Sent soldiers & merchants to regain

control of posts along the Silk Road