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Han Emperors in China

Han Emperors in China. Chapter 7 Section 3. Setting the Stage. Shi Huangdi (Qin Dynasty had unified China) Died in 210 B.C., son took throne Weak leader He would fall and the Han Dynasty would take the throne and become one of the longest lasting dynasties in China ’ s history.

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Han Emperors in China

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  1. Han Emperors in China Chapter 7 Section 3

  2. Setting the Stage • Shi Huangdi (Qin Dynasty had unified China) • Died in 210 B.C., son took throne • Weak leader • He would fall and the Han Dynasty would take the throne and become one of the longest lasting dynasties in China’s history

  3. The Han Restore Unity to China • After Huangdi’s death, many peasants were unhappy • Raised taxes, harsh labor, and severe penal system • They rebelled

  4. Liu Bang Founds the Han Dynasty • 2 leaders emerged during civil war • Xiang Yu-aristocratic general, willing to allow warlords to keep territories if they saw him as feudal lord • Liu Bang-one of Yu’s generals • Eventually turned against Yu

  5. Liu Bang • Bang won in 202 B.C. (First Han Emperor) • Dynasty ruled for 400 years (two sections) • People of China call themselves, “People of the Han” (very influential) • First goal was to destroy rival kings’ power • Established a centralized government • Lowered taxes to gain favor of people • Softened harsh punishments

  6. The Martial Emperor • Bang’s great-grandson took throne • Continued centralized government • Wudi (141-87 B.C./longest Han Emperor) • He expanded Chinese empire through war • Hence nickname, the “Martial” Emperor

  7. Xiongnu • Wudi’s first enemy • Fierce nomads known for deadly archery • Raided China’s farmland (N and W) • Took hostages • Stole Grain • Stole Livestock

  8. Xiongnu • Earlier Han tried to buy them off • Silk, rice, alcohol, and money • Took gifts and kept on raiding • Wudi sent 10,000 to fight • Made allies of their enemies • Drove them out of Central Asia

  9. Wudi • Colonized the North • Manchuria and Korea • Sent army to capture Vietnam • By his death, his borders were almost what modern China is today

  10. A Highly Structured Society • Emperor had divine right • Direct link to heaven and earth • Structures of Han Government • Peasants had to give portion of crops • Merchants had to pay taxes • Peasants owed month’s service in military each year • Built roads, dug canals, irrigation ditches, added to Great Wall

  11. Confucianism, the Road to Success • Wudi’s gov’t employed over 130,000 in the Civil Service • Wanted them to be well versed in Confucianism (required for gov’t service) • Worked so well that it remained in Chinese gov’t till 1912

  12. Han Technology, Commerce, and Culture • Paper was invented in A.D. 105 • Prior to that, things were written on silk • Paper was cheaper, so books were now readily available • Helped spread education • Collar Harness for horses • Allowed them to pull heavier loads • Perfected a better plow for farming • Improved iron tools, invented wheelbarrow, and water mills (Grind Grain)

  13. Agriculture vs. Commerce • Population was around 60 million • Agriculture was considered the most important and honored occupation

  14. The Han Unifies Chinese Culture • The empire as well as trade expanded • People from other cultures connected • Unification Under Chinese Rule • Gov’t encouraged assimilation (making conquered people part of China’s culture) • Farmers settled newly conquered areas • Encouraged to inter-marry with locals • Set up schools to teach Confucianism

  15. The Fall of the Han and Their Reform • Economic imbalances allowed rich to gain more wealth at the expense of the poor • The Rich took advantage of the poor • Land was equally divided amongst male heirs • Most had small plots which caused problems • Couldn’t produce enough to feed family • Borrowed money with high interest to pay debt • Often lost land to pay debt

  16. Large Landowners • They didn’t have to pay taxes • When their land increased, the gov’t taxed less land/lost money • Gov’t taxed the poor more to make up for the difference • Widened the gap between the rich and the poor

  17. Wang Mang Overthrows the Han • Political instability grew • People tried to influence emperor’s choice at who would succeed him • 32 B.C. to A.D. 9, one inexperienced ruler after another • Chaos reigned and peasants revolted • Wang decided a strong leader was needed

  18. Wang Mang • He acted as regent for an infant ruler • A.D. 9, took throne and ended the Han • Minted new money to relieve treasury • Set up public granaries to help poor • Took large landholdings from rich and gave it back to the poor

  19. Flood of A.D. 11 • Killed thousands/left millions homeless • Granaries didn’t have enough supply • Peasants revolted even more • Wealthy opposed Wang and joined rebellion • Wang assassinated in A.D. 23 • Han retook the throne

  20. The Later Han Years • Peace was restored to China • Soldiers and merchants were sent west to regain land lost along Silk Road • Same problems would resurface and bring the Han down again • It would also divide China into 3 kingdoms

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