Han Emperors in China
-make sure you can determine china and india terms
Early China
- The Qin Dynasty were very harsh on taxes, labor quotas, and strict punishments.
- The people of the Qin Dynasty rebelled and a war of rival kings started throughout all of China.
- Two powerful people emerged: Xiang Yu and Liu Bang.
Han Dynasty
- These two leaders ended up hunting each other and fought their last battle in 202 BC. –Liu Bang won and declared himself the first emperor of the Han Dynasty.
- The Han Dynasty ruled China for more than 400 years. However their rule was broken up into 2 parts because there was a time where they lost their power for a short period of time.
- Very influential, even today people from China often refer to themselves as “people of the Han.”
Bang’s steps to unified China
- First goal was to destroy the rival kings’ power.
- He was going to do this by establishing centralized government.
- This is where the central authority controls the running of the state.
- He also lowered taxes and softened the harsh legal punishments of the people.
Empress Lu :
- When bang died his son became emperor, but not really.
- The real ruler was the son’s mother. One of the Bang’s wives.
- When Lu died, the people that supported Bang were upset, and they executed the people who Lu had put into power.
Wudi
- After 30-40 years of turmoil and poor leadership, Bang’s great-grandson took control of the Hans and his name was Wudi.
- He is known throughout history as the “Martial Emperor” because his idea of expanding China was through war.
- The first set of people that he had to deal with were the Xiongnu
Xiongu
- Were fierce nomads known for their deadly archery from horseback.
- Usually attacked China’s farms and would take people hostage and steal goods.
- Early Han emperors would try to send them gifts to stop but they usually would not quit.
- Wudi had other ideas and sent 100,000 men to fight them. -Wudi was victorious.
Pyramid:
Top tier – Emperor
2nd tier – King, Governor
3rd tier –State officials, nobles, and scholars
4th tier –peasants
5th tier –artisans, merchants
6th tier –soldiers
7th tier –slaves.
Han technology
- Advancements included paper. Paper was invented in 105 A.D. Before this books were written in silk.
- Silk is very expensive compared to paper.
- This allowed for many more people to get an education.
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