The Han Dynasty of China:A Chinese Golden Age

(206 BCE-220 CE)© Student Handouts, Inc.

Historical Setting of the Han• Han dynasty was China’s second

imperial dynasty– 206 (or 202) BCE-220 CE• Over 400 years

• Followed by the Three Kingdoms– 220-265 CE

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 goodLiu Bang reigned

202 BCE-195 BCE.

Government under the Han• Centralized government– Capital cities

• Lowered taxes• Less harsh punishments

Emperor Wudi • Wudi lived 141-87 BCE• Consolidated central power (land, food

supply)• Confucianism made official government

philosophy.

Social Classes under the Han

Rich & Poor• Wealthy families lived in large

estates.• Hired laborers, private security, and

entertainment.• Peasants made up 90% of

population.• Long hours, low pay, heavy taxes.

Revival of the Family• Confucianism taught:• Children must obey parents.• Wives must obey husbands.

• Families should obey fathers = Citizens should obey emperor.

Civil Service under the Han• Over 130,000 employees• 18 ranks of 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

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

Agriculture under the Han• Population of 60,000,000 to be fed• Farming thought to be a pivotal and

honored occupation• But in reality small farmers were

burdened by government taxes and became heavily indebted to the rich

Ancient Chinese wheelbarrow

Commerce and Trade under the Han

• Trade and commerce were not respected but were still very important

• Government had monopolies – Salt mining– Iron forging– Coin minting– Alcohol brewing

• Government engaged in industry– Silk weaving

• Growth of trade along the Silk Roads

Unification of the Han Empire

Roles of Women under the Han