Download Liu Bang reading

Name
Class
Date
Biography
Ancient China
Liu
Bang
248?-195 BC
WHY HE MADE HISTORY Liu Bang was
the founder of the Han dynasty and its first
emperor.
As you read the biography below, think about
how Liu Bang went from a peasant’s life to that
of an emperor.
Liu Bang was born around 248 BC to a peasant
family in China. His father was a farmer, and Liu
Bang worked as a police officer during the Qin
dynasty. After the death of Emperor Shi Huangdi,
a warlord named Hsiang Yu attempted to seize
control of China. Liu Bang opposed Hsiang Yu’s
plans. As a rebel leader, Liu Bang gained control
of parts of western China. He then fought Hsiang
Yu’s army in a civil war that lasted about four years.
When Hsiang Yu committed suicide, Liu Bang
gained control of all of China.
Liu Bang reigned first as king from 206 to 202 BC,
and then as emperor from 202 to 195 BC. During
this time, Liu Bang revived feudalism in China. He
replaced the original vassals with his own relatives.
He gave his relatives several regional kingdoms that
were controlled by a central government.
During his reign Liu Bang earned a reputation
as a cruel and ruthless leader, but he also did many
good things for China. He eliminated many harsh
laws and reduced taxes on the peasants. Liu Bang is
also known for his skills in foreign affairs. Using a
combination of diplomacy and military force, Liu
Bang made peace with tribes that were trying to
invade China from Mongolia.
The Art Archive/British Library
VOCABULARY
feudalism government in
which land is given to
local rulers in exchange
for loyalty and military
service
vassals people granted
land in return for services
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5576_MS'_(i*+ra.h0_Ch07.indd 6
Ancient China
6/10/05 9:16:08 PM
Name
Class
Liu Bang, continued
Date
Biography
Liu Bang’s rule is known as the beginning of the
Han dynasty. During the Han dynasty, China made
several advances in art, literature, and science.
Liu Bang died in 195 BC. Although the Han
dynasty collapsed around 24 AD, it had an influence
on the culture and government of China that lasted
well into the twentieth century.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. Name two things that Liu Bang did as ruler of China.
2. Sequence Think about several things that occurred in Liu Bang’s life, and list
them in sequence below.
ACTIVITY
3. Write an epitaph for Liu Bang’s tomb. Include details about his life from what you
have read.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
7
Ancient China
Answer Key
Vocabulary Builder
Section 5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Literature
ANALYZING LITERATURE
1. The song praises the Duke of Chou for
wheelbarrow
Silk Road
diffusion
silk
diffusion
Silk Road
silk
true
false—The Silk Road was a 4,000-mile-long
network of routes that stretched westward
from China across Asia’s deserts and
mountain ranges, through the Middle East
until it reached the Mediterranean Sea.
coming to help the people of this region.
2. The poems reflect the thoughts and
feelings of people in ancient China.
Primary Source
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
Confucius
1. Everyone wants to be rich and
important, and everyone hates to be poor
and unknown.
2. Accept any reasonable response.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
Biography Liu Bang
Laozi
1. The world loves money/wealth; position/
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
rank; a long life; goodness.
2. The world hates being poor, not being
important, not living a long life, and
illness that takes away a person’s good
looks.
1. He made peace with tribes that were
trying to invade China, and he eliminated
many harsh laws.
2. Liu Bang was a police officer, then became
a rebel. Pang became king, then emperor
of China. He made many important
decisions and influenced many leaders
to come.
MAKE A COMPARISON
1. Accept any reasonable response.
2. Answers will vary. Examples: Confucius:
Do not try to get rich if you have to give
up good behavior. Laozi: Some people
have more money than they can use. Both:
Everyone wants to be rich.
ACTIVITY
3. Answers will vary.
Biography Wudi
History and Geography
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. Possible response: They had to pay the
MAP ACTIVITY
price for all of the wars. Wudi was
gaining control, but they only gained
higher taxes.
2. Possible response: I would have liked to
have lived in ancient China because I
think it would be interesting to practice
Confucianism.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Colors will vary.
Gobi Desert
Colors will vary.
Yellow Sea
ACTIVITY
3. Answers will vary.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
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Ancient China