1. 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?

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

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

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

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

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

7. 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

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

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

10. 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
C.E.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19. III. Han Achievements
A major Han invention was paper

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