Han Dynasty

1
Han Dynasty
2
End of the Qin

• In 221BC, the Qin Dynasty was overthrown 4 years
  after Qins death.
• Dynasty lasted less than 20 years.
• Peasants had risen up
• Liu Pang, a peasant, rose up and consolidated
  control.
• Changes name to Han Gaozu
• Exalted Emperor of the Han

3
A New Dynasty

• Han Gaozu kept some of the Qin policies
• Keeps the empire divided into provinces.
• But, he discards the legalism of the Qin.
• Review What is legalism?
• Instead, the Han Dynasty begins teaching
  Confucianism in schools.
• Review What is Confucianism?

4
Expansion

• From 141BC to 86BC a Han ruler named Han Wudi,
  expands the empire to the south and the West.
• Drove barbarians invaders back beyond the Great
  Wall.
• Extends it
• Experienced 150 years of peace.
• Trade flourishes along the Silk Road.

5

• Stretched 4000 miles from China to the
  Mediterranean.

• Mostly Luxury Goods
• Why? Camel Caravans were expensive.
• China Silk, Spices, Tea, Porcelain.
• India Ivory, Textiles, Stones, Pepper.
• Rome Wool and linen clothes, glass, stones.

6
Key Contributions

• During the Han dynasty, the educational system,
  arts, public works, and scientific invention and
  discovery flourished.
• Some inventions
• Better rudders and rigging for ships.
• Sail into the wind.
• Paper
• Water clocks
• Use dripping water to tell time.

7

• Seismograph
• Capable of detecting and identifying the
  epicenter of earthquakes up to 400 miles from the
  Chinese capital.
• Earth tremors would set off an alarm, causing a
  silver ball in the mouth of one of eight dragons
  to fall into the mouth of a frog at the base of
  the device, indicating direction.

8
Decline and Fall of the Han

• Several factors led to the decline and collapse
  of the Han
• Han rulers became focused on the pleasures of
  noble life.
• Wealthy bought up large amounts of land, forcing
  farmers off their land.
• Barbarians (Huns) began raiding again from the
  north.
• By 190AD rebel peasant armies sacked the capital.
• The Han were finished, but
• The next great dynasty would not arise for 400
  years.

9

• Create a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the
  Han Dynasty (202BC-220AD)
• with the Roman Empire (509BC-476AD).
• Think about
• Government
• Expansion
• Social Life/Culture
• Collapse