![Picture](/uploads/8/0/8/9/80898980/editor/unknown.jpeg?1554603955)
The Han's Restoration of China's Unity:
After Emperor Shi Huangdi’s death in 210 B.C, the problems from the Qin dynasty only grew. The lower class(es) were fed up with high taxes, harsh quotas on labour, and an aggressive penal system. Their rebellion caused uproar in China, and many leaders would soon try to fill Huangdi’s role. In all of this commotion, two powerful leaders emerged: Xiang Yu, a wartorn aristocratic general, and Liu Bang, one of his generals. Soon, Liu Bang turned against his leader. A battle between the two was fought in 202 B.C, and Bang came out victorious. This victory prompted Bang to declare himself the first leader of the Han dynasty, which would last for more than 400 years. This influential dynasty was split about halfway down its reign, and some Chinese still refer to themselves as “‘people of the Ham.’”
Liu Bang’s Improvements:
Liu Bang first established the first in a long line of centralized governments, in which the central government completely controlled the state, and hundreds of province rulers, known as commanderies, reported up to him. Liu Bang recognized that he needed popular support, and so he disregarded the strict rules of legalism in China. His tactic(s) worked, and he gained widespread appeal across China. This is an age-old example of a leader who succeeded through focusing mainly on the needs of his/her people.
Empress Lü:
After Liu Bang’s death in 195 B.C, his young son was technically in charge, but the boy’s mother, Empress Lü, was really in charge. She outlived her son into 180 B.C, by which time she had had two infants, and declared one the emperor so as to continue her rule. After the empress’s death however, the people of China chose to be loyal instead to Liu Bang’s family, going as far as to execute the Empress’s. This kind of power play was very common in the dynasty, and is prevalent still in today's political scene.
Wudi, the “Martial” Emperor:
Emperor Wudi (Liu Bang’s great grandson) took an entirely different approach to ruling, expanding the kingdom from 141 to 87 B.C. through war. He first rid the empire of the enemies to the west and north, the Xiongnu group. China had been trying to buy their ways out of attacks, but Wudi finally succeeded with brute force. This successful battle found China allies in the Yuezhi. He also temporarily succeeded in securing that border. In addition, Wudi colonized Northeast areas, known as Manchuria and Korea. Moving south, he expanded the kingdom all the way to what we now call Vietnam, nearly reaching what the country’s borders are today, displaying the importance of a strong military.
After Emperor Shi Huangdi’s death in 210 B.C, the problems from the Qin dynasty only grew. The lower class(es) were fed up with high taxes, harsh quotas on labour, and an aggressive penal system. Their rebellion caused uproar in China, and many leaders would soon try to fill Huangdi’s role. In all of this commotion, two powerful leaders emerged: Xiang Yu, a wartorn aristocratic general, and Liu Bang, one of his generals. Soon, Liu Bang turned against his leader. A battle between the two was fought in 202 B.C, and Bang came out victorious. This victory prompted Bang to declare himself the first leader of the Han dynasty, which would last for more than 400 years. This influential dynasty was split about halfway down its reign, and some Chinese still refer to themselves as “‘people of the Ham.’”
Liu Bang’s Improvements:
Liu Bang first established the first in a long line of centralized governments, in which the central government completely controlled the state, and hundreds of province rulers, known as commanderies, reported up to him. Liu Bang recognized that he needed popular support, and so he disregarded the strict rules of legalism in China. His tactic(s) worked, and he gained widespread appeal across China. This is an age-old example of a leader who succeeded through focusing mainly on the needs of his/her people.
Empress Lü:
After Liu Bang’s death in 195 B.C, his young son was technically in charge, but the boy’s mother, Empress Lü, was really in charge. She outlived her son into 180 B.C, by which time she had had two infants, and declared one the emperor so as to continue her rule. After the empress’s death however, the people of China chose to be loyal instead to Liu Bang’s family, going as far as to execute the Empress’s. This kind of power play was very common in the dynasty, and is prevalent still in today's political scene.
Wudi, the “Martial” Emperor:
Emperor Wudi (Liu Bang’s great grandson) took an entirely different approach to ruling, expanding the kingdom from 141 to 87 B.C. through war. He first rid the empire of the enemies to the west and north, the Xiongnu group. China had been trying to buy their ways out of attacks, but Wudi finally succeeded with brute force. This successful battle found China allies in the Yuezhi. He also temporarily succeeded in securing that border. In addition, Wudi colonized Northeast areas, known as Manchuria and Korea. Moving south, he expanded the kingdom all the way to what we now call Vietnam, nearly reaching what the country’s borders are today, displaying the importance of a strong military.
![Picture](/uploads/8/0/8/9/80898980/unknown-1_orig.jpeg)
A Structured Society:
For citizens, the emperor was the connection between heaven and Earth, and had absolute power; his failure meant natural disasters. He was not fully alone in his power though.
Effects on the Public:
Merchants and farmers alike had to pay taxes to the complex bureaucracy (an early/influential one for later governments) when the government was in need, and farmers owed some amount of crops to the government each year. In addition to that, peasants owed the government at least a month of labour/military service per year. They used this service to expand the Great Wall, and build other important structures. This promotion of government jobs can still be seen today as ads for the armed forces and other positions in government.
Confucius's Impact:
The government employed over 130,000 people. There were 18 ranks of civil service jobs. Wudi recognized and appreciated/agreed with Confucius’s values, and decided that high governmental positions in his kingdom would be based on their knowledge of his teachings. Only the wealthiest of sons could afford enough education to pass the rigorous academic examination required to become a government official. This system continued up until 1912.
For citizens, the emperor was the connection between heaven and Earth, and had absolute power; his failure meant natural disasters. He was not fully alone in his power though.
Effects on the Public:
Merchants and farmers alike had to pay taxes to the complex bureaucracy (an early/influential one for later governments) when the government was in need, and farmers owed some amount of crops to the government each year. In addition to that, peasants owed the government at least a month of labour/military service per year. They used this service to expand the Great Wall, and build other important structures. This promotion of government jobs can still be seen today as ads for the armed forces and other positions in government.
Confucius's Impact:
The government employed over 130,000 people. There were 18 ranks of civil service jobs. Wudi recognized and appreciated/agreed with Confucius’s values, and decided that high governmental positions in his kingdom would be based on their knowledge of his teachings. Only the wealthiest of sons could afford enough education to pass the rigorous academic examination required to become a government official. This system continued up until 1912.
![Picture](/uploads/8/0/8/9/80898980/editor/makingpapyrus.jpg?1554652349)
Advances In Culture, Trade, and Mechanics:
Technology Increases:
Paper was invented around 105 A.D. This meant that books could be cheaper (as opposed to silk pages) and education expanded to the lower classes. It also eased record keeping, expanding bureaucracy. They also invented (around/during this time): the-bladed plow, the horse collar, various iron tools, the wheel barrow, and the usage of water mills for grain-grinding. These inventions were/are still used for thousands of years after the Han Dynasty.
Trade Increases:
The population was up to 60 million by now. In 139 B.C., Emperor Wudi's general Shang Qian, on a long trek back after an expedition Westward, discovered many tribes and cities. As the groups came in contact, they gradually continued to trade goods and resources, eventually forming the Silk Road, which was really a system of interconnected roads and paths after years and years. The government sponsored many caravans that traveled along these paths; food was now considered to be of utmost importance. Manufacturing and commerce were still very important, however. The Government established monopolies of salt, iron, coins, and alcohol. Silk trade and its competitiveness increased as well with the Silk Road(s). These materials are still huge exports in today's world.
Technology Increases:
Paper was invented around 105 A.D. This meant that books could be cheaper (as opposed to silk pages) and education expanded to the lower classes. It also eased record keeping, expanding bureaucracy. They also invented (around/during this time): the-bladed plow, the horse collar, various iron tools, the wheel barrow, and the usage of water mills for grain-grinding. These inventions were/are still used for thousands of years after the Han Dynasty.
Trade Increases:
The population was up to 60 million by now. In 139 B.C., Emperor Wudi's general Shang Qian, on a long trek back after an expedition Westward, discovered many tribes and cities. As the groups came in contact, they gradually continued to trade goods and resources, eventually forming the Silk Road, which was really a system of interconnected roads and paths after years and years. The government sponsored many caravans that traveled along these paths; food was now considered to be of utmost importance. Manufacturing and commerce were still very important, however. The Government established monopolies of salt, iron, coins, and alcohol. Silk trade and its competitiveness increased as well with the Silk Road(s). These materials are still huge exports in today's world.
![Picture](/uploads/8/0/8/9/80898980/a-fragment-of-biography-of-bu-zhi-history-books-of-three-kingdoms-01-2012-12_orig.jpg)
The Unification of Chinese Culture:
Like many other successful and widespread civilizations, China now influenced (and was influenced by) many other groups around its borders that it had conquered.
Under Chinese Rule:
In order to promote assimilation, the Chinese Government: sent local farmers to new colonies, encouraged intermarriage, and set up schools for Confucianism. Sima Qian, Ban Biao, Ban Gu, and Ban Zhao respectively worked on what was essentially an early travel journal, and the latter wrote a book about ethics for women in ancient China, detailing the place and times’ rampant sexism, which has been somewhat carried over into Asia today.
Women's Role(s) In the Dynasty:
Most women were confined to the home, being responsible solely for the family’s well being. Some others, specifically upper class women and nuns, had more political, educational, and financial freedom.
Like many other successful and widespread civilizations, China now influenced (and was influenced by) many other groups around its borders that it had conquered.
Under Chinese Rule:
In order to promote assimilation, the Chinese Government: sent local farmers to new colonies, encouraged intermarriage, and set up schools for Confucianism. Sima Qian, Ban Biao, Ban Gu, and Ban Zhao respectively worked on what was essentially an early travel journal, and the latter wrote a book about ethics for women in ancient China, detailing the place and times’ rampant sexism, which has been somewhat carried over into Asia today.
Women's Role(s) In the Dynasty:
Most women were confined to the home, being responsible solely for the family’s well being. Some others, specifically upper class women and nuns, had more political, educational, and financial freedom.
![Picture](/uploads/8/0/8/9/80898980/57f5637109875_orig.jpg)
The Fall of Early Han and the Rise of Late:
Economic Stress:
An old custom stated that a family’s land would be divided between a father’s male heirs, so land owned kept getting smaller and smaller; this meant that farmers had a harder and harder time trying to maintain enough money for food and taxes with so little land. So they would go into debt and have to borrow money from huge landowners, who would charge them incredibly high interest rates. If they couldn't’ reimburse them, the they took the land. Large landowners didn’t need to pay taxes, and so the government was losing money. This problem was a premonition of similar ones later civilizations, and had to be addressed quickly.
Wang Mang:
Many high officials would plot to sway the emperor in their favor during this time of desperation. From the cross into A.D, many unstable rulers rose and fell to power swiftly. In 9 A.D, Wang Mang took the throne. He tried to fix the economic situation there, minting new money, setting up granaries in order to feed the poor, and redistributing the land fairly. This changed the economy, upping spending and, subsequently merchant prices. In 11 A.D. though, a flood hit China, killing thousands and displacing many. Turmoil ensued, resulting in the murder of Wang Mang in 23 A.D.
Later Han:
Early on, the dynasty prospered, moving westward and regaining control over the Silk Road(s). This success didn’t last long however, and within a few centuries, history had repeated itself, and the Later Han was in the same position as the earlier one had been. The dynasty split into three kingdoms, and officially ended in 220 A.D.
Economic Stress:
An old custom stated that a family’s land would be divided between a father’s male heirs, so land owned kept getting smaller and smaller; this meant that farmers had a harder and harder time trying to maintain enough money for food and taxes with so little land. So they would go into debt and have to borrow money from huge landowners, who would charge them incredibly high interest rates. If they couldn't’ reimburse them, the they took the land. Large landowners didn’t need to pay taxes, and so the government was losing money. This problem was a premonition of similar ones later civilizations, and had to be addressed quickly.
Wang Mang:
Many high officials would plot to sway the emperor in their favor during this time of desperation. From the cross into A.D, many unstable rulers rose and fell to power swiftly. In 9 A.D, Wang Mang took the throne. He tried to fix the economic situation there, minting new money, setting up granaries in order to feed the poor, and redistributing the land fairly. This changed the economy, upping spending and, subsequently merchant prices. In 11 A.D. though, a flood hit China, killing thousands and displacing many. Turmoil ensued, resulting in the murder of Wang Mang in 23 A.D.
Later Han:
Early on, the dynasty prospered, moving westward and regaining control over the Silk Road(s). This success didn’t last long however, and within a few centuries, history had repeated itself, and the Later Han was in the same position as the earlier one had been. The dynasty split into three kingdoms, and officially ended in 220 A.D.