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.
- Two powerful people emerged: Xiang Yu & Liu Bang
Han Dynasty
- These two leaders ended up hating each other and fought their last battle in 202 BC – Liu Bag 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.
- Very influential, even today people from china often refer to themselves as “people of the Han”
Bang’s steps to unified 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 punishment 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 Bang’s wives.
- When Lu died, the people that supported Bang were upset, and they executed the people who Lu had put to 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 the Martial Emperor because his idea of expanding China was throughout war.
- The first set of people that he had to deal with were the Xiongnu,
- Xiongnu were fierce nomads known for their deadly archery form 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 world not quit.
- Wudi had other ideas and sent 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 A.D. Before this book 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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