10/24/2012

[4th LizzK]

Han Emperors in China

• Early China
  • The Qin Dynasty was 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 hating 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.
    • They were very influential, even today people from China often refer to themselves as “people of the Han.”
    • Bang’s steps to unify China
      • First goal was to destroy the rival kings’ power.
      • He was going to do this by establishing a 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 wives of Bang.
  • When Lu died, the people that supported Bang were upset, executing the people 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 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 (Shee-Ung-noo)
    • Xiongnu
      • They 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.

 

 

 

 

• Pyramid
  • Top Tier- Emperor
    • King, Governor
      • State officials, nobles, and scholars
        • Peasants
          • Artisans, merchants     
            • Soldiers
              • Slaves
              • Han Technology
                • Advancements included paper. Paper was invented in 105 AD, before this, books were written in silk.
                • Silk is very expensive compared to paper.
                • This allowed for many more people to get an education.