China Han Dynasty
Essential Themes:
2. Beliefs: Why do people live the way they do?
3. Government: How do humans organize their societies and why do they organize them the way they do?
7. Culture: How do we know what we know about human history?
The End of the Qin: Though Emperor Shi Huang di had boasted that his dynasty would last for 10,000 generations, in fact, it ended after just 15 years. By 206 BCE, with the death of Shi Huang di's son, the country once again entered a period of great unrest and peasant revolts swept across the countryside. While Qin rule brought great change to Chinese society, it was the dynasty that followed the Qin, the Han Dynasty, that truly revolutionized Chinese rule, brought wealth to it's people, and opened China's borders to the rest of the world.
Who founded the Han dynasty, and what made his rise to power unique?
2. Beliefs: Why do people live the way they do?
3. Government: How do humans organize their societies and why do they organize them the way they do?
7. Culture: How do we know what we know about human history?
The End of the Qin: Though Emperor Shi Huang di had boasted that his dynasty would last for 10,000 generations, in fact, it ended after just 15 years. By 206 BCE, with the death of Shi Huang di's son, the country once again entered a period of great unrest and peasant revolts swept across the countryside. While Qin rule brought great change to Chinese society, it was the dynasty that followed the Qin, the Han Dynasty, that truly revolutionized Chinese rule, brought wealth to it's people, and opened China's borders to the rest of the world.
Who founded the Han dynasty, and what made his rise to power unique?
During the Han Dynasty, science and the arts flourished. From left to right above, a Han era seismograph that detected earthquakes and other natural disturbances, a magnetic compass that helped guide travelers along the Silk Road, and an equine statue.
The Han Dynasty ruled from approximately 206 BCE to 220 CE, a period of over 400 years. That time frame mirrors the time when the Roman Empire was at its greatest strength. From the start, the Han Dynasty was different from all those that had come before. First of all, it was founded by Liu Bang (pronounced Leo-Bong), a man born to a peasant family. Liu, the king of the state of Han, rose to power after the Qin dynasty collapsed in 206 BCE. Once Liu defeated the various groups competing for power after the collapse of Qin rule, he became emperor and made Chang An in north central China the capital of his empire. One of only two commoners ever to found a Chinese dynasty, Liu proved to be a talented and skillful ruler. The achievements of the Han Dynasty so influenced Chinese culture that, even though outsiders refer to the land as China, after Qin, the Chinese word for a person of Chinese descent means "a person of Han."
Though most trading stops on the Silk Road vanished long ago, cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Kashgar remain important today.
What is the Silk Road?
During the Han Dynasty, China experienced a period of peace, stability, and prosperity. Han emperors established a strong military, which allowed them to conquer new territories and expand the reach of the empire as far as modern day Korea and North Vietnam. In addition, they extended their power through diplomatic alliances with neighboring peoples. These alliances were often forged through strategic marriages or the exchange of lavish presents. Under the Han, the Chinese also engaged in international trade. Trading such goods as silk, spices, and jade, the Chinese acquired products and ideas from ancient cultures in India, Central Asia, and Rome. Much of the trade occurred locally in small trading centers that were strung along miles of small country roads throughout Asia. Collectively, this network of small thoroughfares became known as the Silk Road.
During the Han Dynasty, China experienced a period of peace, stability, and prosperity. Han emperors established a strong military, which allowed them to conquer new territories and expand the reach of the empire as far as modern day Korea and North Vietnam. In addition, they extended their power through diplomatic alliances with neighboring peoples. These alliances were often forged through strategic marriages or the exchange of lavish presents. Under the Han, the Chinese also engaged in international trade. Trading such goods as silk, spices, and jade, the Chinese acquired products and ideas from ancient cultures in India, Central Asia, and Rome. Much of the trade occurred locally in small trading centers that were strung along miles of small country roads throughout Asia. Collectively, this network of small thoroughfares became known as the Silk Road.
After being told of a great empire to the West (Rome), Emperor Wu di is credited with opening China's borders to trade.
During the Han Dynasty, great achievements were made in the areas of education, culture, and science. Shifting away from Legalism, the philosophy of the Qin dynasty, Han rulers instituted a Confucian system of government that stressed education and training. Under Han rule, officials were selected based on merit, rather than by birth. Those who proved their knowledge of Confucian classics and had some literary talent were made officials. This encouraged the development of Confucian education, which became more widespread among the general populace. Begun by a peasant, the Han dynasty gave rise to the idea that one was not anchored by birth to their position in society. During Han times, there was some social mobility.
What Great Western empire existed at the same time as the Han Dynasty?
What Great Western empire existed at the same time as the Han Dynasty?
In addition, the Han government promoted the development of the arts. It was during Han rule that paper was invented, painting and calligraphy flourished, and fine porcelain was created. The Han period also saw some remarkable advances in science and technology, such as the invention of water clocks, star maps, seismographs, and compasses.
This was also an era of exploration and conquest. Great shipbuilding facilities that were able to construct both merchant and military ocean-going vessels 100 feet long and 25 feet wide have been found. As Emperor Wu di's generals began to return from battle with stories of an empire to the west that rivaled his own, he built new roads and waterways that increased trade and communication into the far reaches of his empire. While Han rulers struggled at times to maintain control over their large empire, Han society remained basically intact and at peace for over 400 years.
This was also an era of exploration and conquest. Great shipbuilding facilities that were able to construct both merchant and military ocean-going vessels 100 feet long and 25 feet wide have been found. As Emperor Wu di's generals began to return from battle with stories of an empire to the west that rivaled his own, he built new roads and waterways that increased trade and communication into the far reaches of his empire. While Han rulers struggled at times to maintain control over their large empire, Han society remained basically intact and at peace for over 400 years.