Han Emperors in 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
- 2 powerful people emerged: Xiang Yu & Liu Bang
- The Qin Dynasty fell because of the rebellion
Han Dynasty
- These 2 leaders ended up hating eachother and fought their last battle in 202 BC
- Liu Bang won and declared himself the 1st emperor of the Han Dynasty (Xiang died)
- The Han Dynasty ruled china for more than 400 years, Howerver 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"
Bangs steps to unified China
- 1st goal was to destroy the rivals kings power.
- He was going to do this by establishing centralized government
- This was 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 wives of Bang (He had many 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, Bangs great- grandson took control of the Hans and his name was Wudi
- He is knwon throughout history as the "Martial Emperor" because his idea of expanding China was through war
- The 1st set of people he had to deal with were the Xiongnu (shee-ung-noo)
Xiongnu
- Were fierce nomads known for their deadly archery from horseback
- Usually attacked Chinas farms and would take people hostage and steal goods
- Early Han emperors would try ti send them gifts to stop but they didnt quit
- Wudi had other ideas ans sent 100,000 men to fight them (Wudi won)
Pyramid
- Topp tier - Emperor
- 2nd tier - King, Governor
- 3rd tier - State officials, nobles and scholars
- 4th tier - peasants
- 5th tier - artisand, marchants
- 6th tier - soldiers
- 7th tier - slaves
Han technology
- Advancements include paper, which was invented in 105 Ad
- Before this, books were written in silk
- Silk is very expensive to paper
- So this allowed for many more people to get an education
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