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Download The Han Dynasty of China
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The Han Dynasty of China: A Chinese Golden Age (206 BCE-220 CE) Han dynasty was China’s second imperial dynasty – 206 (or 202) BCE-220 CE • Over 400 years Liu Bang – Emperor Gaozu of Han • Civil war – Two strong leaders • Xiang Yu (aristocratic general) • Liu Bang (peasant-class general under Xiang Yu) • 202 BCE – Liu Bang beat Xiang Yu for good Liu Bang reigned 202 BCE-195 BCE. Emperor Wudi • Wudi lived 141-87 BCE • Consolidated central power (land, food supply) • Confucianism made official government philosophy. Social Classes under the Han Emperor Governors and Kings Nobles, Scholars, and State Officials Peasants (Farmers) Artisans and Merchants Soldiers Slaves Revival of the Family • Confucianism taught: • Children must obey parents. • Wives must obey husbands. • Families should obey fathers = Citizens should obey emperor. Art & Literature • Painting • Figure painting/portraits. • Literature • Historical recordings. • Poetry • Fu- Long • Shi - Short Han Dynasty Inventions • Paper • Acupuncture • Use needles at certain body points to relieve pain. • Seismograph • Measured strength of earthquakes. • Sundial • Told time of day.(clock) Technology under the Han List in order from greatest to least impact. Paper Collar harness Plow • Invented in 105 CE • Books became inexpensive to produce; expanded education • Bureaucracy grew and became more efficient • Horses could carry heavier loads • Best harness available at the time worldwide • The Chinese made one with two blades • Much more efficient Wheelbarrow • Invented independently (Greeks had invented as well) • Central wheel and axle let Chinese wheelbarrows carry very heavy weights Waterwheel • Used to power things such as the bellows for smelting iron Commerce and Trade under the Han • Growth of trade along the Silk Roads Civil Service under the Han • Over 130,000 employees • Civil service exams – Confucian principles described the qualities that emperors wanted in civil servants – Wudi set up a Confucian-themed university. – Formal examinations in Confucianism, history, law, and literature for civil service positions – Theoretically a merit-based system • But poor could not afford to educate their children – In effect until the downfall of China’s last dynasty in 1912
