1. Timeline-A list of six main events that happened during the reign of the Han dynasty.
2. Map-This is the map of the territory of the Han dynasty with the dash line of the modern boundary of China.
3. Technology/Economy-During the reign of the Han emperors, China’s agriculture tools greatly improved, and the invention of paper too.
4. Social Changes-Emperor Han generously banned the “Book Burning” and changed the way that tax was collected making it a lot more convenient for the peasnats.
5. Government-Under Gao Zu’s leading the monarchy’s power was divided and a new system called the “Chinese Examination System” was adapted to test the future government officials.
6. Religion/Philosophy-Confucianism was made official and Buddhism was introduced to the Chinese.
7. Leaders/Contemporaries-A list of four significant people during the Han dynasty and their accomplishments.
8. Other interesting things that happened in the Han’s reign.
1. Timeline of the important events during the Han dynasty
203 BC-The beginning of the Han dynasty, or the Western Han Dynasty.
140 BC-Confucianism became official
138 BC-Zhang Qian sent to explore the west
8 AD-Liu family overthrown by Wang Mang
23 AD-Liu Xuan of the Liu family took back the throne and resumed the Han dynasty, or the Eastern Han Dynasty.
220 AD-The end of the Han dynasty
2. Map of the Han dynasty
3. Technology/Economy
-In this period, the Han emperors desired to improve the farming production so the government gave lands to people who were willing to farm. The emperor also encouraged the farmers to invent more effective tools to improve the farming productions. Farmers who are rich enough began to buy tools with metal tips that made farming a lot easier. They also invented simple machines to improve the irrigation system creating a more reliable source of water.
-As the demand for metal increases so does the iron mining business. The number of industries increased. More industries bring massive production of goods such as silk fabrics and tea leaves. At this period, paper was also invented to meet the needs of education. The product and quality of these goods became so successful that a new class of people started to make living by taking the goods and selling them else where at a higher price. These people called themselves merchants. The merchants traveled to other many countries to trade. The route they traveled on later became known as the “Silk Road”. This road actually led up to Rome. The Silk Road also brought western culture and technology back to China too.
4. Social Changes
-Other than improving trading and farming tools, Emperor Han also saw the important of education. He putted a halt to the book burning that the Qin emperor started and allowed the peasants to read books freely. Another important change that he made, which made the peasants’ lives a lot better, was the way of collecting tax. The peasants usually had to travel many miles every month of pay the tax at the capital but Han Gao Zu decreased it to twice a year only. This saved the time for the farmers and reduced the money the government had to spend on hiring so many tax collectors. The money that was saved was used for the benefits of the peasants themselves. The people saved time, effort and money.
-In this period, the Han emperors desired to improve the farming production so the government gave lands to people who were willing to farm. The emperor also encouraged the farmers to invent more effective tools to improve the farming productions. Farmers who are rich enough began to buy tools with metal tips that made farming a lot easier. They also invented simple machines to improve the irrigation system creating a more reliable source of water.
-As the demand for metal increases so does the iron mining business. The number of industries increased. More industries bring massive production of goods such as silk fabrics and tea leaves. At this period, paper was also invented to meet the needs of education. The product and quality of these goods became so successful that a new class of people started to make living by taking the goods and selling them else where at a higher price. These people called themselves merchants. The merchants traveled to other many countries to trade. The route they traveled on later became known as the “Silk Road”. This road actually led up to Rome. The Silk Road also brought western culture and technology back to China too.
Map of the Silk Road
4. Social Changes
-Other than improving trading and farming tools, Emperor Han also saw the important of education. He putted a halt to the book burning that the Qin emperor started and allowed the peasants to read books freely. Another important change that he made, which made the peasants’ lives a lot better, was the way of collecting tax. The peasants usually had to travel many miles every month of pay the tax at the capital but Han Gao Zu decreased it to twice a year only. This saved the time for the farmers and reduced the money the government had to spend on hiring so many tax collectors. The money that was saved was used for the benefits of the peasants themselves. The people saved time, effort and money.
Qin Shi Huang, the founder of the Qin dynasty who started the "Book Burning"
5. Government
-Han Gao Zu, the first emperor of the Han dynasty, decided that the style of governing had to be change. Due to the nightmare experienced during the reign of Qin dynasty, he decided that the emperor should not have total control. Emperor Han separated his powers into two parts. Half is given to the outer court and the other half to the inner court. The inner court was in his control while the outer court was under the control of an elected prime minister and a group of educated people called the cabinets or the scholars. This way the emperor does not have total control. The other good thing about this system is that he can also get the people’s opinions and advices through the outer court.
-The people who had the powers in the government are carefully selected according to the Chinese Examination System. This system was a test to decide whether the person had the skills and abilities to do the government job. The test was based on treating people the way you want them to treat you, which came from Confucianism. This system kept the people in the government from giving the jobs to their own relatives, who may not qualified, and gave the poor but educated peasants the chance to work for the government.
-Han Gao Zu, the first emperor of the Han dynasty, decided that the style of governing had to be change. Due to the nightmare experienced during the reign of Qin dynasty, he decided that the emperor should not have total control. Emperor Han separated his powers into two parts. Half is given to the outer court and the other half to the inner court. The inner court was in his control while the outer court was under the control of an elected prime minister and a group of educated people called the cabinets or the scholars. This way the emperor does not have total control. The other good thing about this system is that he can also get the people’s opinions and advices through the outer court.
-The people who had the powers in the government are carefully selected according to the Chinese Examination System. This system was a test to decide whether the person had the skills and abilities to do the government job. The test was based on treating people the way you want them to treat you, which came from Confucianism. This system kept the people in the government from giving the jobs to their own relatives, who may not qualified, and gave the poor but educated peasants the chance to work for the government.
Han Gao Zu, the founder of Han Dynasty
6. Religion/Philosophy
-During the reign of the third emperor of the Han dynasty, Taoism became very popular. Emperor Jing combined Legalist methods and Taoism. This period was called the “Taoism era”. But this did not last long. In 140BC Emperor Wu officially announced that China was a Confucian state. Like other emperors before him, he ruled using the combination of both Confucianism and Legalism. Under Bureaucracy the Confucian scholars were raised and respected. This lasted until 1911 when the revolution broke out.
-In this period, Buddhism entered China. It came along the Silk Road from India. At first because Buddhism concepts countered with Confucianism, it was very popular. Eventually, after 400 years it became accepted by the Chinese and it also became the major religion too.
-During the reign of the third emperor of the Han dynasty, Taoism became very popular. Emperor Jing combined Legalist methods and Taoism. This period was called the “Taoism era”. But this did not last long. In 140BC Emperor Wu officially announced that China was a Confucian state. Like other emperors before him, he ruled using the combination of both Confucianism and Legalism. Under Bureaucracy the Confucian scholars were raised and respected. This lasted until 1911 when the revolution broke out.
-In this period, Buddhism entered China. It came along the Silk Road from India. At first because Buddhism concepts countered with Confucianism, it was very popular. Eventually, after 400 years it became accepted by the Chinese and it also became the major religion too.
Confucius, the founder of Confucianism
7. Leaders/Contemporaries
-Liu Bang or Emperor Han Gao Zu:
He was the leader of the rebellion that overthrew the Qin Dynasty. Liu Bang then became the first emperor of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Han Gao Zu. He changed the way of ruling and collecting taxes. Liu Bang also encouraged new technologies to improve agriculture, which led to better lives. Under his ruling, China was prosperous.
-Liu Bang or Emperor Han Gao Zu:
He was the leader of the rebellion that overthrew the Qin Dynasty. Liu Bang then became the first emperor of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Han Gao Zu. He changed the way of ruling and collecting taxes. Liu Bang also encouraged new technologies to improve agriculture, which led to better lives. Under his ruling, China was prosperous.
-Liu Che or Emperor Han Wu Di:He officially made China a Confucianism State, and he pushed back the Xiongnu to the north. By countering the Xiongnu he expanded China’s territory and explored into Korea and Vietnam. He also putted a stop to the feudal system, taking the lands away from the nobles.
Han Wu Di
-Zhang Qian:
Zhang Qian was sent by Emperor Wu to the west. He was the first embassy to the west. Zhang Qian was sent to seek for help from the Yueshi, or Tajikistan, to join alliance and push the Xiongnu back. On the way he was captured by the Xiongnu, but eventually after 10 years he gained their trust. After being released, he continued his quest. When he finally reached Yueshi, he was rejected. He returned with details and information on Central Asia.
Zhang Qian was sent by Emperor Wu to the west. He was the first embassy to the west. Zhang Qian was sent to seek for help from the Yueshi, or Tajikistan, to join alliance and push the Xiongnu back. On the way he was captured by the Xiongnu, but eventually after 10 years he gained their trust. After being released, he continued his quest. When he finally reached Yueshi, he was rejected. He returned with details and information on Central Asia.
-Wang Mang:
Wang Mang was a government official during the Han reign. He was appointed as the regent for both Emperor Cheng and Emperor Ping. In 5 A.D., he titled himself the “Pretend Emperor” and spread out news that the Liu family have lost the mandate of heaven and does not deserve to rule. At last, he overthrew the Liu in 8 A.D. and created a new dynasty the “Xin dynasty”. Unfortunately, Xin dynasty only lasted 15 years.
Wang Mang was a government official during the Han reign. He was appointed as the regent for both Emperor Cheng and Emperor Ping. In 5 A.D., he titled himself the “Pretend Emperor” and spread out news that the Liu family have lost the mandate of heaven and does not deserve to rule. At last, he overthrew the Liu in 8 A.D. and created a new dynasty the “Xin dynasty”. Unfortunately, Xin dynasty only lasted 15 years.
Wang Mang
8. Others
*The seismograph was also invented during this period in 132 A.D.
*Sima Qian (145 -87 BC), who is the Grand Historian that provided a detailed chronicle from the time of legendary Xia emperor to that of the Emperor Wu ( 141- 87 BC).
*Sima Qian (145 -87 BC), who is the Grand Historian that provided a detailed chronicle from the time of legendary Xia emperor to that of the Emperor Wu ( 141- 87 BC).
The seismograph invented during the Han reign
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