The Han Dynasty

The Han Dynasty

Mr. Mains

Multiple Choice

Quick review: What was the dynasty that was just before the Han Dynasty? Hint: It was the one that Shihuangdi was associated with

• Shang

• Ming

• Tang

• Qin

Multiple Choice

What School of Thought was used China during the Qin Dynasty?

• Legalism

• Daoism/Taoism

• Mohism

• Confucianism

Objectives

• Understand how China transitioned from the Qin Dynasty to the Han Dynasty

• Understand the story about how two main rulers of the Han Dynasty (Han Gazou & Han Wudi) came into power & their accomplishments as the sole ruler over China

• Understand some of the main developments, advancements and inventions that were established during the Han Dynasty

The rulers of the Qin Dynasty used Legalism

• This was the use and enforcement of harsh rules, harsh punishments

• This was meant to gain and maintain order throughout China

• Even though the establishment of the Qin Dynasty unified China, it has been criticized about how the government treated the people

Multiple Choice

When the Qin Dynasty was coming to an end, what would determine who would be the next ruler?

• whoever had the support of the Dalai Lama

• whoever had the most money

• civil war

• all of the answers

A civil war did occur. There was a constant fight for power.

• There were two main people who rose to power through rebellion

• One was a noble by the name of Xiang Yu

• The other was a man by the name of Liu Bang. What was his class within China's social structure?

Multiple Choice

Liu Bang led a rebellion. He was a

• farmer/peasant

• merchant

• artisan

• soldier/warrior

Yes, Liu Bang was just a peasant

• Liu Bang was actually a village headman (guarded prisoners being taken to work on Shihuangdi's tomb)

• Problem: Many of the prisoners escaped while on his watch

• He was worried about being executed for this error. Why?

• Because this was during the rule of Legalism

• What do you think he did at this point?

Open Ended

Liu Bang was tasked to guard the prisoners who were working on Shihuangdi's tomb. Many of them escaped during his watch & he was fearful about being executed because this was during the time of Legalism. What do you think he did?

Liu Bang decided to

• let the rest of the prisoners go & became an outlaw (the escape & release was the turning point)

• Seen as a sign of strength against the harsh Qin & he gained respect

• He was followed by a group of 10 prisoners & this grew into a huge following & alliance (reputation!)

• Xiang Yu (noble) gave Liu Bang nobility but was eventually overthrown by Liu Bang

Liu Bang defeated all of his rivals

• 202BC: He names himself Emperor & changes his name to Han Gazou ("High Founder")

• He showed value of educated men at court

• Wanted to revive the rural economy & lowered taxes for peasants (due to his past)

• What about his ruling style???

Poll

Liu Bang believed that Legalism was the best ruling style. However, he felt that

• the government shouldn't rule as harshly as the Qin rulers

• that censorship should still be kept within China

• that anyone showing signs of rebellion would be met with force

• all of the answers

Yes, Han Gazou was not going to be as harsh as the Qin rulers

• but he still valued censorship (still occurs even today)

• He has been an inspiration to China as a "rags to riches story"

• Han Dynasty implemented more religion whereas the Qin gov didn't

Multiple Choice

Liu Bang/Han Gazou rule from 202BC to 195BC. How do you think he died? This was during a rebellion/civil war

• fell of his chariot during a battle

• was assassinated by a someone in his own court

• died by infection due to an arrow wound

• was killed by a hippo

Liu Che aka Han Wu/Wudi: Origin Story

• Liu Che was the son of the Emperor and one of his mistresses

• Liu Che was favored-due to a divine relevation

• Another mistress had a son (Liu Rong) and he was actually deemed the crown prince (older than Liu Che)

• Liu Rong's mom desperately wanted her son to be the next emperor & for her to be the Empress-this clouded her judgment

• She was tested by the Emperor-asked if she would foster his mistresses & other children if he died. She said no. Bad choice!

• Also, conspired with a minister to make her the Empress

• The minster was killed, she lost her titles/land & son was exiled

Open Ended

What can we learn from this story??

Focus of Liu Che AKA Han Wu (Wudi)

• influenced by Confucianism, Daoism/Taoism but was a Legalist

• Central government (in one place/location)

• Imperial expansionism (gaining Vietnam & Korea)-was successful

• Inspired by Confucianism-he wanted talented people within his government

• In the past, people in the government were put into place because of their connections/who they knew and NOT because of their actual ability

Open Ended

If you were in Han Wu/Wudi's place, how would you ensure that the best people would be put into the government? That is, what requirement could be put into place?

Han Wu/Wudi instilled civil service exams (used today)

• These exams were long & difficult & could only be taken only once

• Rate of success?

• Only 1 out of 5 would pass (20%)

• If you failed, you could tutor or be an assistant to a gov. official

• Tests did favor rich (afford tutors)

His downfall as Emperor

• Was able to establish the Silk Road (4,000 miles)-increased prosperity

• Spread of ideas/goods-increase in iron, steel & religion/philosophies

• Inspired by a dream-he accused people of witchcraft & killed them

• Killed anyone who criticized him; even began to seek immortality

• Began to spend a lot of money & instilled heavy taxes

• Heavy taxes caused rebellions-rulers who had rebellions in their area were killed (so they kept it secret)

• In the end, he realized that he was too harsh & apologized. Died of illness

Han Wu/Wudi's legacy

• The Silk Road

• Civil service exams

• Doubled the size of the empire

• Created the Imperial University

• Compared to Shihuangdi for ruling style, paranoia & quest for immortality

• Implemented more Confucian type of thinking

Han Inventions

• Waterwheel-grind grain faster

• Iron & steel (weapons & drill bits)

• Seismographs (earthquakes)

• Paper-for messages & record info

• Preventative/natural medicine

• Acupuncture-needles in skin

• Boat rudder (to move sails)

Quick Review:

• Both Han Gazou and Han Wu/Wudi helped establish a stronger China by increasing the size & power of the empire

• Both were influenced by Confucianism but were ultimately Legalists

• The accomplishments of Han Gazou & Han Wu/Wudi both created things that are still used today

Your task(s):

• Edpuzzle

• Complete Shihuangdi RACECE from Friday