Empires in India & China Chapter 7

Han Dynasty in China Today’s Goal  What changes took place in China under the Han Dynasty?

Han Emperors Restore Unity Death of Qin ruler Shi Huangdi – bitterness, rebellions, power strugglesDeath of Qin ruler Shi Huangdi – bitterness, rebellions, power struggles Liu Bang declares himself first emperor of Han DynastyLiu Bang declares himself first emperor of Han Dynasty

Han Government Centralized gov’t (all power given to emperor) –E–E–E–Emperor had divine authority – link between heaven and earth  destroy rival kings’ power - Local “commanderies” No Legalism – lowered taxes, softened punishments

Wudi (“Martial Emperor”) Liu Bang’s great-grandson took throne in 141 BCLiu Bang’s great-grandson took throne in 141 BC Used war to expand empireUsed war to expand empire Set up coloniesSet up colonies Continued centralizationContinued centralization

Wudi & Confucianism Civil service (gov’t) jobs obtained through educationCivil service (gov’t) jobs obtained through education –Schools to teach Confucianism –Pass examinations Anyone could take the exams….Who do you think could afford this school and exams?

Unification of Chinese Culture Society was highly structuredSociety was highly structured Assimilation  process of making conquered peoples part of Chinese cultureAssimilation  process of making conquered peoples part of Chinese culture Women’s roles  the FamilyWomen’s roles  the Family –Inferior to men

Life in the Han AchievementsAchievements –Built roads, canals, irrigation ditches (raised taxes) –Expanded Great Wall –Paper invented AD 105 –Collar harness for horses –Plow, wheelbarrow, water mills –Better iron tools

Han Commerce Agriculture seen as most honorable occupationAgriculture seen as most honorable occupation Gov’t established monopolies (exclusive control) Huge silk mills – Silk RoadsGov’t established monopolies (exclusive control) Huge silk mills – Silk Roads

Fall of the Han Gap between rich and poor Political instability Wang Mang (Confucian scholar) – overthrew Han Dynasty - Minted new money  merchants raised prices - Redistributed land  angered wealthy landholders

Restoration of the Han Great flood – rebels assassinated Wang Mang Imperial family retook the throne  Later Han Dynasty Still suffered from social, political, and economic weaknesses