Han Dynasty
Guiding Thought…
What does the Han Dynasty have in
common with the Roman Empire?
End of the Qin
• The Qin Dynasty was
overthrown 4 years after Qin’s
death.
– Liu Pang (Han Gao Zu), a
peasant, rose up and established
control.
– During the collapse of the Qin
dynasty, he rose to became a
general of the Western China
region, called “Han.” When a
Civil War broke out, he
emerged as leader.
A New Dynasty
• Han Gao Zu kept the
empire divided into
provinces.
– But, they discarded the
harsh policies and legalism
of the Qin.
– Review: What is legalism?
• Confucianism was now
taught in schools.
– Review: What is
Confucianism?
• Bureaucracy
– Civil Service Exam =
Positions based on merit!
Expansion
• A later Han ruler, Han
Wudi, expanded the
empire to the south and
the West.
– Also expanded Great
Wall
• Experienced 150 years
of peace.
– Empire grew to 60
million people!
Key Contributions
• Better rudders and rigging
for ships.
– Sail into the wind.
• Paper!
• Textile Manufacturing
• Steel invented
• 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
• Later Han rules were
weak and focused on the
pleasures of life.
• Corruption grew and the
wealthy bought up large
amounts of land.
• Raids from barbarians
began again in the north.
• By 190AD rebel armies
sacked the capital.
• Next great dynasty
would not arise for 400
years.
Comparisons to Rome?
Create a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast
the Han Dynasty (202BC-220AD)
with the Roman Empire (509BC-476AD).
Think about…
Government
Expansion
Social Life/Culture
Collapse