Han Emperors in China
• Early China
o The Qin Dynasty were very harsh on taxes, labor quotas, and strict punishments
o The people of the Qin Dynasty rebelled and a war of rival kings started throughout all of China
o Two powerful people emerged: Xiang Yu and Liu Bang
• Han Dynasty
o 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
o 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.
o Very influential, even today people from China often refer to themselves as “people of the Han”
• Bang’s steps to unify China
o First goal was to destroy the rival kings’ power.
o He was going to do this by establishing centralized government
Where the central authority controls the running of the state
o He also lowered taxes and softened the harsh legal punishments of the people
• Empress Lu
o When Bang died his son became emperor, but not really
o The real ruler was the son’s mother. One of Bang’s wives
o When Lu died, the people that supported Bang were upset, and they executed the people who Lu had put into power
• Wudi
o After 30-40 years of turmoil and poor leadership, Bang’s great-grandson took control the Hans and his name was Wudi
o He is known throughout history as the “Martial Emperor” because his idea of expanding China was throughout war
o The first set of people that he had to deal with were the Xiongnu (shee-Ung-noo)
o Xiongnu
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
• Pyramid
o Top tier-Emperor
o 2nd tier-King, Governor
o 3rd tier-State officials, nobles, and scholars
o 4th tier-peasants
o 5th tier-artisans, merchants
o 6th tier-soldiers
o 7th tier-slaves
• Technology
o Advancements included paper. Paper was invented in 105 AD. Before this books were written on silk
o Silk is very expensive compared to paper
o This allowed for many more people to get an education
• The Great Wall of China
o When?
o Which dynasty built it?
o Why was it built?
o Was it effective?
o Interesting facts
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