C8.2 Chinese Society and Culture Main Idea The Han dynasty was a time of social change, the growth of trade, and great achievements in the arts and sciences. Objectives What features characterized Chinese society in the Han period? How did trade and the spread of Buddhism affect Han society? What were some achievements in art, science, and technology during the Han period?

I. Han Society The Han Dynasty - a time of prosperity, growth, and achievement; defined Chinese civilization for centuries

A. Family Life Confucian officials believed the family was central to the well-being of the state; promoted strong family ties

A. Family Life Fathers held total authority Filial piety stressed Obedience and devotion to elders Honor ancestors

A. Family Life Women had fewer rights & less status than men; sons valued more than daughters

A. Family Life Sons carried on family line, stayed part of household after marriage; daughters joined their husband’s family

B. Social Structure Highly structured, clearly defined social classes: Emperor at top - “mandate from heaven" Upper class - palace court, nobles, officials, scholars peasants: largest class, 90% of population

B. Social Structure Artisans and merchants next Slaves at bottom of society

B. Social Structure The wealthy lived well; peasants’ lives were difficult – hard work, high taxes, forced labor on public projects

II. Trade and Buddhism Trade grew during Han period: Ironworkers made armor, swords Artisans made pottery, jade, bronze Most valuable trade item was silk Bronze armor of the Han dynasty Bixie Amulet Jade Han dynasty 25-220 C.E.

A. Growth of Trade Emperor Wudi learned of “blood-sweating horses” in Central Asia; conquered region to obtain them, increasing trade "Heavenly Horses"

A. Growth of Trade Major trade routes between China and Central Asia were called the Silk Roads

A. Growth of Trade Silk Roads stretched over 4,000 miles, linking China to India, the Middle East, and the Roman Empire

A. Growth of Trade Difficulty of route meant that most goods were luxury items - small, valuable, highly profitable

B. Cultural Diffusion Trade led to cultural diffusion – Buddhism spread to China from India by AD 200

III. Han Achievements Arts flourished; science and technology improved life

III. Han Achievements Historian Sima Qian wrote Records of the Grand Historian - became model for Chinese historical writing

III. Han Achievements Inventions include the iron plow, wheelbarrow, compass, seismograph, and sundial

III. Han Achievements A major Han invention was paper

III. Han Achievements Made advances in acupuncture, the use of needles to cure disease and/or relieve pain