1. The Han Dynasty
Chapter 7 Section 3

2. Today’s Discussion Questions (6-4)
When did the Han Dynasty rule? Who was the founder?
How was the Han government based on the ideas of Confucius?
List the social classes of the Han Dynasty.
Why did the family take on such importance during the Han Dynasty?
What inventions/advances emerged during the Han Dynasty?

3. 1. 2200 BC: Xia Dynasty founded
BC: Farming developed along the Chang Jiang Valley
sBC: Zhou Dynasty begins
BC: Civil War spreads during the Warring States Period
BC: Shi Huangdi unifies China, begins the Qin Dynasty
6. 600s BC: First section of the Great Wall was built
BC: Shi Huangdi becomes emperor, a high official rules in his name.
8. c206 BC: Qin Dynasty collapses
BC: Han Dynasty begins
10. AD 220: Han Dynasty falls

4. The Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 220)
Founded by Liu Bang
A peasant who claimed to be the recipient of the “Mandate of Heaven”
The first common person to become emperor
Earned loyalty/trust of the people and was well liked by both soldiers and peasants
His rule was different from the strict legalism of the Qin
Lowered taxes for farmers
Made punishments less severe
Gave large blocks of land to his supporters
Relied on educated officials to help him rule

5. New Government 140 BC: Emperor Wudi (Woo-dee) took the throne
Wanted to create a strong central government
Took land from the lords
Raised taxes
Placed the supply grain under the control of the government

6. Confucianism in the Han Dynasty
Made Confucianism China’s official government philosophy
Officials were expected to practice Confucianism
Began a university to teach Confucian ideas
Exams were given on Confucian teachings
If a person passed, he could get a good position in government. (Civil Service Exam)
Exams were only open to people recommended for government service
As a result, wealthy families continued to control government.

7. Family Life & Social Classes
Class structure became more rigid during the Han Dynasty
Based on the Confucian system, people were divided into 4 classes.

8. Emperor, Court, Government Officials
Peasants
Artisans
Merchants

9. Merchants were in the lowest class because they did not produce anything.
They only bought and sold what others made.
Believed government officials should not handle or be concerned with money
Military was not an official class in the Confucian system.
It did however offer men the chance to rise in social status because the military was considered part of the government.

10. Lives of the Rich & Poor Classes only divided people into social rank.
Ranks did not indicate wealth or power.
For example, merchants were ranked lowest but were usually the wealthiest.
The wealthy lived lavishly in expensive homes while the poor lived in simple homes and wore plain clothing.
Most people in the Han Dynasty were not wealthy.
Out of the nearly 60 million, 90% of them were peasants.

11. Emperor
Peasants
90%
Artisans
Merchants

12. Revival of the Family
Since Confucianism was the official philosophy, teachings about family were honored.
They believed in a concept called “Filial Piety”
Respect Elders
Disobeying parents was a crime
Father was head of the family & had absolute power

13. Revival of the Family
Han officials believed that if a family was strong and obeyed the father, then it would obey the emperor.
Children were encouraged to serve their parents.
They were also expected to honor dead parents with ceremonies and offerings.
This was called Ancestor Worship.
This is still practiced in parts of China today.

14. Boys vs Girls Chinese parents valued boys more highly than girls.
This was because the sons carried the family line and took care of their parents when they were old.
On the other hand, daughters became part of their husband’s family.
Some women gained power within their families by influencing their son’s family.
An older widow could become the head of the family.

15. Inventions & Advances Inventions/Innovations Advances Figure Painting
Paper
Sundial
Seismograph
Acupuncture
Waterwheel
Rudder
Drill Bits
Advances
Figure Painting
Literature:
Fu style poetry
Shi style poetry
History: Sima Qian wrote the complete histories of the early dynasties

16. End of Section 4

17. Section 5
Chapter 6

18. The Silk Road
An overland trade route that extended from Western China to Southwest Asia.
Stretched over 4,000 miles
Silk was the most valuable trade product.
Trip was expensive and extremely dangerous

19. The Silk Road

20. Changes in China
The Han Emperors after Han Wudi were weak and foolish.
Central government lost respect and power
Dishonest officials and greedy aristocrats led to unrest among farmers
Wars, rebellion, and plots against the emperor led to the end of the Han Dynasty.
People turned to Buddhism to cope with the fear and unrest.
As a result, Buddhism spread throughout China.