S.S. Ch.11 Lesson 4

The Han Dynasty206 B.C., the Qin Dynasty fell
Peasants, Qin generals and officials, and nobles fought for power
Shortly after, Liu Bang claimed the title of king of Han
He was given the name Han Gaozu, “High Ancestor”
The Han made their capital Chang’an, near Xianyang.
It became to be known as Xi’an
Gaozu…
Helped peasants by giving land and reducing taxes
Accepted idea of central government
Followed teachings of Confucius
Became known for mixing Confucian and Legalist ideas
The use of Legalist and Confucian idea helped Han rulers make decisions
The Han Dynasty

Wu Di and Civil ServiceIn 141 B.C., Wu Di (“Warlike Emperor) rose to the throne
He formed armies of 300,000 to protect and expand the empire
His expansion included western China and parts of Korea and Vietnam
To help support his growing empire, he created taxes

Wu Di and Civil Service
Wu Di had deep respect for Confucius and even started a university to teach Confucianism
He also made it the empire’s official language
He founded the first civil service on Confucian ideals

Wu Di and Civil Service
Wu Di helped start a system where skilled people would govern a state.
Educated people could become civil servants by passing a test
Those who did well would receive jobs and social status.
Wu Di and Civil Service
Golden AgeSuccess in war, economic growth, and education
Art flourished
Stone sculptures
Painting
Weaving
pottery
Science
Seismograph
Sundials
Waterclocks
Sima Qian
Wrote first history of China

The Silk Road and TradeThe most traveled trade routes became known as the “Silk Road”
Stretched 4,000 miles from Han capital to the Mediterranean sea
Connected China and Europe
Traded horses, glass, spices, unusual fruits, musical instruments
The Silk Road was important in spreading Buddhism northward