1. Han Emperors in China
202 BCE – CE 220

2. Qin Dynasty China is unified under Shi Huangdi He died in 210 BCE
Son = weak ruler
Government fell apart

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Han dynasty

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Silk road

11. Rebellion & restoration
Gap increased between rich & poor
Only lower classes had to pay taxes
Political & economic instability grew

12. 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

13. Great flood CE 11 Thousands dead Millions homeless
Not enough food in the granaries to feed millions
Led to rebellions

14. Later han Han Dynasty is re-established
Sent soldiers & merchants to regain control of posts along the Silk Road