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 government Complex 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 Collar harness Two bladed plow Wheelbarrow Watermills 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 China so 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