Han Dynasty 202 BCE-221 CE

1. Han Dynasty202 BCE-221 CE Natasha Morales Mackenzie Austin Danielle

2. Administrative Institution • The founder of the Han Dynasty was Liu Bang, know later on as Han Gaozu. • The Han Dynasty maintained the centralized government of the Qin, but was not as harsh in its Legalistic values • The Han government had a tripartite division with the civilian, military authority, and a censorate as well as a Grand Council with representatives from all three segments. • Factionalism was prevalent during this dynasty as well as the autocratic system by the ruler .

3. Administrative Cont. • The Han’s bureaucracy was the first known to be chosen through the use of the merit system or civil service examination. Most, however, were still aristocratic. • Unlike the in the Qin Dynasty, Confucianism affected the Han’s government, bringing in a new state philosophy and ideology.

4. Han Protection • Peasants were still taxed, although not as heavily. This, in a way, limited the noble families’ wealth and power. • Peasants were forced to be part of the military service and into forced labor for up to a month each year. • Unlike the Qin, the Han did not build fortifications such as the Great Wall. • The Han traded more, particularly with foreign countries such as neighboring areas and as far out as India and the Mediterranean, which required diplomacy. This was done as a method of peaceful protection. • Diplomacy was used in trade by China giving more than it received to ensure that the neighboring monarchs would accept China’s protection and not aid their enemies.

5. Trade and Economic Integration • The Han prospered in trade and its economy. Large irrigation systems led to hydraulic societies. • The government itself traded and manufactured many products. • The Silk Road was still the main method of transportation, unless they had to go by sea. • Textile, water mills and iron-casting flourished. • Paper was invented and rudder and fore-and-raft rigging was developed. • The increasing technology allowed for better ways of transportation and the improvement of some products as well as the invention of others allowed the Han to prosper and attain more land, such as the assimilation that occurred with the empire south of the Yangtze River and the Red River Delta.

6. How Patriarchy Shaped Gender and Family Relations • Confucianism flourished during the Han. • Filial piety- every family member had his or her place. • 5 relationships: • Son subordinate to father • Wife to her husband • Younger brother to older brother • All subject to king • Relationship between friend and friend • Men had a higher position in the family.

7. The Decline of the Han Dynasty • Nomadic raids from the North started to happen. • They were not able to restrain aristocratic families. • The government became weaker. • Wang Mang seized power from the Han court. • When it was seized by Cao Cao, it was the final fall of the Han Dynasty.

8. Social Structure • The ruler was still at the top (ruling with mandate from Heaven), followed by the government officials and other nobles. • Peasants were next in the social hierarchy; they made up the largest social class. Forced Labor led many peasant to sell their land and become tenant farmers. • Artisans followed. • Merchants were next, still heavily taxed and limited socially as well as commercially.

9. Social Classes Social classes and rankings within the society There were twenty ranks in the Han dynasty called the ershi gongcheng When you reached the higher levels of the ranks you gained greater pensions and legal privileges Local elites were composed of scholars, teachers, students, and government officials Slaves were very rare in this society Lower social statuses were composed of tenants and wage laborers Artisans and craftsmen had a legal and socioeconomic status Merchants were forced by law to wear white colored clothes and pay high commercial taxes

10. Social Structure cont. Gentry Class Farmers Tenants Wage Laborers Artisans Slaves

11. Labor System • The labor system of the Han was similar to that of the Qin, but not as harsh. The Qin forced the peasants to work for them for almost two months a year whereas the Han only required one. They also required artisans to work on projects too. • The Han did, however, require the peasants to work in their military as well.