1. (206 BCE-220 CE) © Student Handouts, Inc.
The Han Dynasty of China: A Chinese Golden Age Make a prediction! Why is it called this?
Image courtesy of Wikipedia.
(206 BCE-220 CE)
© Student Handouts, Inc.

2. Historical Setting of the Han
Han dynasty was China’s second imperial dynasty
206 (or 202) BCE-220 CE
Over 400 years

3. Liu Bang – Emperor Gaozu of Han
Civil war
Two strong leaders
Xiang Yu (aristocratic general)
Liu Bang (peasant-class general under Xiang Yu)
202 BCE
Liu Bang beat Xiang Yu for good
Liu Bang reigned
202 BCE-195 BCE.

4. Government under the Han
Centralized government
Capital cities
Lowered taxes
Less harsh punishments

5. Image courtesy of Wikipedia: http://upload. wikimedia

6. Emperor Wudi Wudi lived 141-87 BCE
Consolidated central power (land, food supply)
Confucianism made official government philosophy.

7. Social Classes under the Han
Emperor
Governors and Kings
Nobles, Scholars, and State Officials
Peasants (Farmers)
Artisans and Merchants
Soldiers
Slaves

8. Rich & Poor Wealthy families lived in large estates.
Hired laborers, private security, and entertainment.
Peasants made up 90% of population.
Long hours, low pay, heavy taxes.

9. Revival of the Family Confucianism taught:
Children must obey parents.
Wives must obey husbands.
Families should obey fathers = Citizens should obey emperor.

10. Art & Literature Painting Literature Figure painting/portraits.
Historical recordings.
Poetry
Fu- Long
Shi - Short

11. Han Dynasty Inventions
Paper
Acupuncture
Use needles at certain body points to relieve pain.
Seismograph
Measured strength of earthquakes.
Sundial
Told time of day.(clock)

12. Technology under the Han List in order from greatest to least impact.
Paper
Invented in 105 CE
Books became inexpensive to produce; expanded education
Bureaucracy grew and became more efficient
Collar harness
Horses could carry heavier loads
Best harness available at the time worldwide
Plow
The Chinese made one with two blades
Much more efficient
Wheelbarrow
Invented independently (Greeks had invented as well)
Central wheel and axle let Chinese wheelbarrows carry very heavy weights
Waterwheel
Used to power things such as the bellows for smelting iron

13. Ancient Chinese wheelbarrow
List in order from greatest impact Then students could get up and go to their number one, discuss why greatest impact then sit back down and write.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia.
Ancient Chinese wheelbarrow

14. Commerce and Trade under the Han
Growth of trade along the Silk Roads

15. Civil Service under the Han
Over 130,000 employees
Civil service exams
Confucian principles described the qualities that emperors wanted in civil servants
Wudi set up a Confucian-themed university.
Formal examinations in Confucianism, history, law, and literature for civil service positions
Theoretically a merit-based system
But poor could not afford to educate their children
In effect until the downfall of China’s last dynasty in 1912