Expansion Under the Han Dynasty Chapter 9 Section 2

Why It Matters Besides founding China’s first empire, Shi Huangdi also laid the foundation for a system of government to rule the large empire. The next ruling family was the Han. The Han emperors built on the success of the Qin to create one of the most influencial dynasties in Chinese history.

Government Under the Han The fighting that toppled the Qin dynasty lasted several years. Finally, a rebel general named Liu Bang gained control of China. In 206 B.C.E., Liu Bang founded the Han dynasty. The Han ruled China for about 400 years. Today, the largest ethnic group of China still call themselves the “Han.”

Reuniting and Expanding China The first Han emperor came from a poor family. His success was, in part, due to his ability to surround himself with capable advisors. As emperor, he consulted with a Confucian scholar who pointed out that the Qin lost power because of their cruel policies. The emperor encouraged learning, lowered taxes, and ended many of the Qin’s harsh rules.

Reuniting and Expanding China Confucian scholars throughout the Han gave practical advice and encouraged rulers to set an example of mercy and proper behavior. Han emperors kept many of the Qin laws and policies to standardize Chinese life but avoided the harsh rule that had caused the unrest.

Expanding the Han The Han not only stayed in power, they expanded China’s territory. Much of this expansion took place under the fifth Han emperor, Wudi (woo dee). Wudi was remembered as one of the countries greatest emperors. He ruled for more than 50 years. Wudi sent his armies west to conquer lands far into Central Asia. He extended his empire north to the Korean peninsula and south into what is now Vietnam.

The Structure of Government Han emperors followed the example of the Qin by creating a strong central government. By doing this, they avoided the problem of disunity that the Zhou dynasty had faced. Local noblemen became more powerful than the Zhou king as the Zhou dynasty expanded. The Han emperors tried to make sure local leaders remained too weak to challenge their authority.

The Structure of Government The Han government was organized like a pyramid. The broad base of the pyramid was made up of China’s many towns and villages. At the top of the pyramid were the emperor and his chief advisors. Many layers of government lay between the top and the bottom of the pyramid. At each level, officials, people assigned to a position in government, took orders from those above them and gave orders to those below them.

Civil Service The strength of the Han government lay in its civil service. Civil Service is a system of government where employees are mainly selected for their skills and knowledge. Positions in the civil service were not hereditary, that is, they were not passed down from father to son. Officials were appointed to their positions. Han emperors asked their officials to recommend people for the civil service. From those recommendations, the emperors selected officials from across the empire.

Civil Service Han officials were paid high salaries as well as enjoyed a life of comfort and influence. They wore special cloths that indicated their rank. They collected taxes, organized labor, and enforced laws. Officials could even force someone to move. If there were too many people in one area, they could relocate them to lands with fewer people.

Civil Service The Han emperors placed some limits on the powers of officials. Officials were not allowed to serve in their home districts. Han emperors did not want officials to work with family and friends to organize against the emperor. The emperors knew that to rule successfully, they needed their officials’ loyalty.

The Silk Road The Silk Road is a network of trade routes that crossed Asia, connecting China to Central and Southwest Asia. Trade routes across Central Asia had existed before the Han, but during the reign of Wudi, contact between China and regions to the west increased. Merchants made their fortunes along the Silk Road, but it was also a path for the spread of ideas.

The Journey of Zhang Qian At first, the Chinese traveled to Central Asia not to trade but to seek an ally in their fight against a fierce group of nomads called the Xiongnu (shong noo). Emperor Wudi heard of people from Central Asia called the Yuezhi (yooeh jur) who were also enemies of the Xiongnu. Wudi hoped the Yuezhi would help fight the Xiongnu. He asked for a volunteer to find the Yuezhi. Zhang Qian stepped up to take on this challenge.

The Journey of Zhang Qian Zhang set out to the west as was captured by the Xiongnu and held prisoner for ten years. He escaped and found the Yuezhi but could not persuade them to ally with the Han against the Xiongnu. Wudi was still interested in Zhang’s travels. Zhang described exotic lands where horses sweat blood and “the inhabitants ride elephants when they go into battle.” Wudi was intrigued and sent envoys, representatives of the emperor, to create a relationship with kingdoms to the west.

The Journey of Zhang Qian With the army protecting the region, trade flourished. Merchants could trade with less fear of being attacked by bandits.

An Important Trade Route The name “Silk Road” comes from China’s most important export: silk. It is made from the cocoon of a caterpillar called the silk worm. It is strong, soft, and can be dyed many colors. Only the Chinese knew how to make silk. They guarded this secret closely. It was illegal to export silk worms.

An Important Trade Route The Chinese exchanged silk and other luxury goods for a wide range of other products. The Chinese particularly valued the horses of Central Asia. The Silk Road also enriched Chinese cuisine, that is, the style of cooking. Grapes, sesame, and onion were all brought into China along the Silk Road. The emperor also obtained rare animals, such as elephants, lions, and ostriches from abroad.

New Ideas: Buddhism Enters China The Silk Road was a path for the exchange of ideas. Chinese inventions, such as paper, spread west along the Silk Road. Foreign ideas, such as Buddhism, entered China during the Han dynasty along trade routes. The religion of Buddhism started in India and spread into Central Asia. The Chinese then learned about this religion from Buddhist in Central Asia. Over time, Buddhist became very popular in China.

New Ideas: Buddhism Enters China After the Han dynasty, Buddhists traveled to India to study the religion. Chinese also brought new ideas and practices to the religion. Along with Confucianism and Daoism, Buddhism is one of the most influential belief systems in China. Chinese scholars mixed ideas from three belief systems in their writing and art. Buddhist temples can be found across China today.