1. Han Emperors in China Section 3
The Han Dynasty expands China’s borders and develops a system of government that lasts for centuries.
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2. Han Emperors in China The Han Restore Unity to China Troubled Empire
SECTION 3
Han Emperors in China
The Han Restore Unity to China
Troubled Empire
• In Qin Dynasty peasants resent high taxes and harsh labor, rebel
Liu Bang Founds the Han Dynasty
• Liu Bang defeats Xiang Yu, a rival for power, and founds Han Dynasty
• Han Dynasty—begins in 202 B.C., lasts 400 years
• Han Dynasty has great influence on Chinese people, culture
• Liu Bang establishes centralized government—a central authority rules
• Liu Bang lowers taxes and reduces punishments to keep people happy
Interactive
Continued . . .
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3. The Empress Lü The Martial Emperor
SECTION 3
continued The Han Restore Unity to China
The Empress Lü
• Liu Bang dies in 195 B.C.; wife Lü seizes control of empire
• Empress Lü rules for her young son, outlives him
• Palace plots and power plays occur throughout Han Dynasty
The Martial Emperor
• Liu Bang’s great-grandson Wudi rules from 141 to 87 B.C.
• “Martial Emperor” Wudi defeats Xiongnu (nomads) and mountain tribes
• Colonizes Manchuria, Korea, and as far south as what is now Vietnam
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4. A Highly Structured Society
SECTION 3
A Highly Structured Society
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Emperor’s Role
• Chinese believe their emperor has authority to rule from god
• Believe prosperity reward of good rule; troubles reveal poor rule
Structures of Han Government
• Complex bureaucracy runs Han government
• People pay taxes and supply labor, military service
• Government uses peasant labor to carry out public projects
Continued . . .
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5. Confucianism, the Road to Success
SECTION 3
continued A Highly Structured Society
Confucianism, the Road to Success
• Wudi’s government employs 130,000; bureaucracy of 18 ranks of jobs
• Civil service jobs—government jobs obtained through examinations
• Job applicants begin to be tested on knowledge of Confucianism
• Wudi favors Confucian scholars, builds school to train them
• Only sons of wealthy can afford expensive schooling
• Civil service system works well, continues until
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6. Han Technology, Commerce, and Culture
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Han Technology, Commerce, and Culture
Technology Revolutionizes Chinese Life
• Invention of paper in A.D. 105 helps spread education
• Collar harness, plow, wheelbarrow improve farming
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Agriculture Versus Commerce
• As population grows, farming regarded as important activity
• Government allows monopolies—control by one group over key industries
• Techniques for producing silk become state secret as profits increase
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7. The Han Unifies Chinese Culture
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The Han Unifies Chinese Culture
Bringing Different Peoples Under Chinese Rule
• To unify empire, Chinese government encourages assimilation
• Assimilation—integrating conquered peoples into Chinese culture
• Writers encourage unity by recording Chinese history
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Women’s Roles—Wives, Nuns, and Scholars
• Most women work in the home and on the farm
• Some upper-class women are educated, run shops, practice medicine
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8. The Fall of the Han and Their Return
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The Fall of the Han and Their Return
The Rich Take Advantage of the Poor
• Large landowners gain control of more and more land
• Gap between rich and poor increases
Wang Mang Overthrows the Han
• Economic problems and weak emperors cause
political instability
• In A.D. 9, Wang Mang seizes power and stabilizes
empire
• Wang Mang is assassinated in A.D. 23; Han soon
regain control
The Later Han Years
• Peace restored, Later Han Dynasty lasts until A.D. 220
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