Han Dynasty
End of the Qin
• In 221BC, the Qin Dynasty
was overthrown 4 years
after Qin’s death.
– Dynasty lasted less than 20
years.
• Peasants had risen up…
– Liu Pang, a peasant, rose up
and consolidated control.
– Changes name to Han
Gaozu
• “Exalted Emperor of the Han”
A New Dynasty
• Han Gaozu kept some of
the Qin policies…
– Keeps the empire divided
into provinces.
• But, he discards the
legalism of the Qin.
– Review: What is legalism?
• Instead, the Han Dynasty
begins teaching
Confucianism in schools.
– Review: What is
Confucianism?
• From 141BC to 86BC a
Han ruler named Han
Wudi, expands the
empire to the south
and the West.
– Drove barbarians
invaders back beyond
the Great Wall.
• Extends it
• Experienced 150 years
of peace.
• Trade flourishes along
the Silk Road.
Expansion
• Stretched 4000 miles from China to the Mediterranean.
• Mostly Luxury Goods
– Why? Camel
Caravans were
expensive.
• China: Silk, Spices,
Tea, Porcelain.
• India: Ivory, Textiles,
Stones, Pepper.
• Rome: Wool and
linen clothes, glass,
stones.
Key Contributions
• During the Han dynasty, the
educational system, arts,
public works, and scientific
invention and discovery
flourished.
• Some inventions…
– Better rudders and rigging for
ships.
• Sail into the wind.
– Paper
– Water clocks
• Use dripping water to tell time.
• Seismograph…
– Capable of detecting and
identifying the epicenter of
earthquakes up to 400
miles from the Chinese
capital.
– Earth tremors would set off
an alarm, causing a silver
ball in the mouth of one of
eight dragons to fall into the
mouth of a frog at the base
of the device, indicating
direction.
Decline and Fall of the Han
• Several factors led to the
decline and collapse of the Han
– Han rulers became focused on the
pleasures of noble life.
– Wealthy bought up large amounts
of land, forcing farmers off their
land.
– Barbarians (Huns) began raiding
again from the north.
• By 190AD rebel peasant armies
sacked the capital.
– The Han were finished, but…
• The next great dynasty would
not arise for 400 years.