Han Dynasty: empire, governance, contributions

1. Han Emperors in China
The Han Dynasty expanded China’s borders and developed
a system of government that lasted for centuries.
Prepared by Daisy Baniaga

2. Notable Emperors and the System of Government
Emperor System of
Government
Policies
1. Liu Bang (1st
emperor)
Centralized
government
- Lowering taxes and softening harsh
punishments
2. Wudi
(Martial
Emperor)
Centralized
government
- Expanding the Chinese empire through
war
- Government positions could be obtained
by taking examinations, and later, with
combined knowledge of Confucianism.
3. Wang Mang
(Regent-
turned-
Emperor)
Centralized
government
- Minting new money to relieve the
treasury’s shortage
- Setting up public granaries to help feed
the poor
- Land reform through redistribution

3. Hierarchy
1. Emperor
2. Kings and governors
3. State officials, nobles, scholars
4. Peasant farmers
5. Artisans and merchants
6. Soldiers
7. Slaves

4. Chinese Men
 1 month labor (to built roads, canals, irrigations) or military service every
year
Chinese Women
 Few became empresses.
 Nuns (Daoist and Buddhist) were able to gain education and live away from
their families
 In aristocratic and land-owning families, they sometimes pursued
education.
 Some ran small shops.
 Others practiced medicine.
 Most led quiet lives at home: devoting themselves to their families
(Confucian teaching) – duties at home and work in family fields.
Conquered Peoples – assimilation of Chinese customs

5. Han Dynasty (400 yrs.)
• Empire: Manchuria and Korea (northeast)
: Vietnam (south)
: boundaries of China today
• Emperor has divine authority
• Wudi – one of China’s most significant rulers
• Civil service examinations before becoming
government employees
• Agriculture as the most important and honorable
occupation
• Monopolies on salt mining, iron forging, coin minting,
alcohol brewing, silk trade
• Assimilation – adoption of Chinese culture by
conquered peoples

6. The Silk Roads

7. Contributions of the Han Dynasty
 Invention of paper
 Advancement of collar harness for horses
 More efficient plow with two blades
 Improvements on iron tools
 Invention of the wheelbarrow
 Use of water mills to grind grain
 Silk production and trade
 Promoted assimilation to conquered peoples
 Civil service exam

8.  The gap between the rich and the poor increased
 The rich took advantage of the poor
- inherited lands became smaller and farmers had hard time
raising enough food to eat or sell
- small farmers borrowed money from large landowners who
charged high interest rates
- if couldn’t pay back the debt, the landowner took possession of
the farmer’s land
 Tax inequality
- large landowners were not required to pay = ↑ landholdings
- with less money coming in from decreased land taxes, the
government pressed harder to collect money from small farmers
 Rivalries in the palace
 Inexperienced emperors
 Peasant revolts joined with discontent wealthy class
 Natural disasters like flood destroyed economy, lives
and properties