Why did the Qin Dynasty Fall?• Cruel treatment of people• many peasant rebellions, • Shi Huangdi’s death• His son failed as a ruler• Lost the Mandate of Heaven

The Han Dynasty comes to power in 206 BCE and lasts until 220 CE (over 400 years!)

Slide A

Han Emperors

Emperor Liu Bang (Gao Zu)• Defeats the Qin in 206 BCE• Replaces Legalism with

Confucianism

Slide B

Emperor Wudi (141-87 BCE)

• “Warrior” king who added more territory to China

• Had the government sell iron and salt to raise money without raising taxes

• Opened up trade with the west along the Silk Road

Civil ServiceHan Emperors adopted the idea that government officials should win positions by merit rather than through family background. To find qualified officials , they set up a system of exams based on Confucian teachings.

• Exams were open to all men• Had to afford Confucian schooling to pass the exams• Men trained in Confucian philosophy were found at every

level of government• It was VERY prestigious to get a civil service position

Slide C

• Used anaesthetics for pain• Acupuncture developed to treat

pain or illness

• Wrote texts on chemistry, zoology, and botany.

• Astronomy popular• Invented early seismograph to

detect earthquakes

SCIENCE MEDICINE

OTHER TECHNOLOGY

• Paper invented • Invented boat technology such as

the rudder • Fishing reels, wheelbarrows, and

suspension bridges.

Han Technology

PaperSuspension Bridge

Slide D

Silk RoadThe Chinese discovered how to make silk thread from the cocoons of silkworms. They were able to weave silk threads into smooth cloth that was colored with brilliant dyes. Silk became China’s most valuable export and

they kept the process of making it a secret from other regions.

Emperor Wudi created a trade route that stretched 4,000 miles connecting China to the Middle East and Europe. This route was known as the Silk Road. During this time period, China traded silk in exchange for

many items from other regions.

Other ideas were exchanged through the Silk Road such as Buddhism. The idea of Buddhism spread from its origins in India to China. This is considered one of the most significant cultural exchanges on the Silk Road.

Region What they produced

Rome Glass

Central Asia Furs

Western Asia Cucumbers, figs, grapes, and walnuts

India Muslin (fabric)

Slide E

Lessons for a Woman by Ban Zhao (100 CE)

On the birth of a girlOn the third day after the birth of a girl, the ancients observed three customs: [first] for three days to place the baby below the bed; [second] to give her a spindle with which to play; and [third] to fast and announce her birth to her ancestors by an offering.

Now to lay the baby below the bed plainly indicated that she was lowly and humble and should regard it as a prime duty to submit to others. To give her a spindle with which to play signified that she should accustom herself to labor and consider it a prime duty to work hard. To announce her birth before her ancestors clearly meant that she ought to esteem it a prime duty to see to the continuation of theancestral sacrifices.

On relationships[If a wife] does not respect the wishes of her husband, then it will be followed by scolding and shouting [from him]. [If a husband] does not restrain his anger, then there is certain to be beating [of the wife]. The correct relationship between husband and wife is based upon harmony and intimacy, and love is grounded in proper union. If it comes to violence, how can the proper relationship be preserved? If sharp words are spoken, how can love exist? If love and proper relationship are both destroyed, then husband and wife will separate.

Slide F

Slide G

– Weak emperors– Economic Crisis (they were broke)– Heavy taxes– Peasant rebellions– The Huns attack over the wall– Military leaders (warlords) begin to fight for power– China descends into chaos and warlike states rule for 350 years

The Han dynasty fell in 220 CE. Why?

Chinese Warlords 194 CE