Han Emperors in China
- The Qin dynasty were very harsh on taxes, labor quotes, 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
- Han Dynasty
- Those two leaders hated eachtoher and fought their last batttle in 202 B.C.- Lui Bang won and declared himself first emperor of han dynasty
- Han dynasty ruled China for more than 400 year. 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 themselves as "People of the Han"
- Bangs Steps to unfiy 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 sons mother. One of the wives of Bang
- 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 known throughout history as the "Martial Empire" because his idea of expanding China was through war
- The first set of people that he had to deal with were the Xiongnu
- 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 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
- 2nd Tier: King, governer
- 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. Beofre this, books were written in silk
- Silk is very expensive compared to paper
- So this allowed for many more people to get an education
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