Rise and Fall of the Han Dynastyby Melany Bishop

IntroductionA Golden Age

development in social politics, economy, military, science, culture, and foreign exchange

Goal of the Han

Lasted (202–195 BCE)

General FactsThe second imperial dynasty of China

divided into two major periodsWestern or Former Han (206 B.C.–9 A.D.) Eastern or Later Han (25–220 A.D.)

The Han Dynasty lasted four hundred years

"people of Han"

Beginning of the Han Dynasty

Collapse of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.E)

Rebel leaders: Liu Bang and Xiang Yu Battle of Gaixia, in modern-day Anhui.

36 commanderies (areas directly controlled by the central government)

Western/Former Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD) Establishment

Liu Bang (Emperor Gaozu) became Emperor

Rebellion of the seven statesCapital Chang'an

Government Han power was based on direct control of people by the state.Laws and regulations from Qin

Western/Former Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD) Rise

PoliticalEmperor shared power with nobility and appointed ministersCentralization of power

EconomicReduced taxesSilk RoutePaper Money

Western/Former Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD) Rise

EducationConfucian Grand SchoolWritten examinationScholar Gentry Class

ReligiousConfucian State

Military Westard Expansion

Technological Inventions Shiji

Western/Former Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD) Fall

Wealthy families gained more power Disputes among factions

Hierarchy

Yellow Turban Rebellion

Xiongnu

Xia Dynasty (A.D. 9-24)

Tributary Ties

Emperor Wang Mang

Red EyebrowsRebel Liu Xiu

East/Later Han Dynasty (25 AD - 220 AD)Establishment

Liu Xiu became emperor

Capital city became Luoyang

200 years

Centralization

East/Later Han Dynasty (25 AD - 220 AD)Rise

PoliticalDiplomatic missions and trade

EconomicHeavy taxation

Developmenteconomical, scientific and cultural

East/Later Han Dynasty (25 AD - 220 AD)Fall

Mothers and Eunuchs struggled for power

Emperor XianDominated by Dong ZhuOverthrown by Cao Cao and Cao Pi

Height of the Han DynastyEmperor Wu (140 - 87 BC)

Most powerful and prosperous periodChanged the State ReligionGreat military expansion

Rome vs. Han Dynasty

Two superpowers of the known worldHan China Both RomeEast Asia Established Empires

and dominated regions

Mediterranean

Liu Bang conquered China

Rose to power by establishing a strong central government

Augustus Ceasar seized power from the Roman Senate

50 Million Populations grew exponentially

75 Million

Followed the collapse of the Qi Dynasty

Following the fall of Greece and Carthage

Officials were not taxed, taxed poor peasants

Struggled with taxes and government involvements in economics

Tax Revolts, church officials and upper class were exempt from taxes

Xiognu Nomads Struggled with invasion that lead to their demise

Goths and Huns

Sources

http://www.history-of-china.com/han-dynasty/

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/hand/hd_hand.htm

http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22724.htm

http://china.mrdonn.org/han.html

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/han/western.htm

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/han/eastern.htmhttp://hubbsandzoleo.blogspot.com/2008/03/compare-fall-of-han-rome-and-gupta.html

http://library.thinkquest.org/12255/library/dynasty/laterHan.html

Sources cont

http://sacu.org/dynhan.html

http://www.hceis.com/chinabasic/history/han%20dynasty%20history.htm

Central and North Asia, 1000 B.C.–1 A.D.". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/?period=04®ion=nc (October 2000) Department of Asian Art. "Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.)". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/hand/hd_hand.htm (October 2000)

http://library.thinkquest.org/12255/library/dynasty/earlyHan.html

http://www.china-window.com/china_briefing/china_history/chinese-historyhan-dynast.shtml