Download Han China

Han China
Mr. Grossmann
Global 9 R/H
Beginnings
 206 BCE – 220 CE (426 years)
 Founded by Liu Bang, a rebel leader who defeated
the Qin.
 Han Dynasty took over for the Qin after a short
rule.
 Claimed mandate of heaven for harsh rule under
Legalism
 Strong Emperor Wudi conquered and controlled
many regions, solved many of China’s problems.
Changes
 End of Legalism as a means of keeping order.
Confucianism became the official belief system of
China.
 Scholars and books were no longer buried/burned,
respectively.
 Increased trade with other civilizations, opening of
the Silk Road (will talk about this later, also don’t
copy the stuff in these parentheses down).
 New products like cucumbers, grapes, glass, etc.
 Government positions given to qualified members
of the country through a rigorous civil service exam.
Achievements
 Han Dynasty lasted many years and set the
standard for future dynasties (Chinese consider
themselves “people of the Han”).
 Advanced sciences, improved fields of botany,
zoology, astronomy, chemistry.
 Inventions used worldwide like the boat rudder,
wheelbarrow, fishing reel and paper.
 Medical techniques like acupuncture and use of
various plants to heal sickness
 Silk production was perfected and created a highly
sought after product.
Fall of the Han Dynasty
 Growing population became difficult to support.
 Increased wealth was not distributed evenly, taxes
couldn’t support the army.
 Regional warlords began to fight amongst
themselves.
 Political chaos caused by disinterested emperors
and assassinations.
 Nomadic tribes continued their invasions of China.
Result of Han Downfall
 300 years of disunity for China’s many provinces
and areas.
 Period of Three Kingdoms (Wei, Shu & Wu).
 Warring states tried to seize control without success.
 Technology continued to advance, with inventions
like the compass and gunpowder.
 Succeeded by the Jin Dynasty.