Han Emperors in China
Early China
- the Qin Dynasty were very harsh on taxes, labor quotas, and strict punishments
- the people of the Qin Dynasty rebelled and war of rival kings started throughout all of China
- 2 powerful people emerged: Xiang Yu and Lui Bang
Han Dynasty
- these 2 leaders ended up hating each other and fought their last battle in 202 bv-Liu Bang won and declared himself the first emperor of the Han Dynasty
- the Han Dynasty ruled China for more than 400 years. their rule was broken into 2 parts cause there was a time where they lost their power for a short period of time
- very influential even today people form Chine often refer to themselves as "people of the Han"
Bang's steps to unified China
- first goal was to destroy the rivals 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 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, Bang's great-grandson took control of the Hans and his name was Wudi
- he is know throughout history as the "Martial Emperor" because of his idea of expanding China was through war
- the first step set of people that had to deal with were the Xiongnu (shee-Ung-noo)
Xiongnu
- were fierce nomads known for their deadly archery from horseback
- usually attacked China'a 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 has other ideas and spent 100,000 men to fight them
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 ad before this, books were written in silk
- silk is very expansive compared to paper
- so this allowed for many of people to get an education
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