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Han Dynasty. End of the Qin. In 221BC, the Qin Dynasty was overthrown 4 years after Qin’s death. Dynasty lasted less than 20 years. Peasants had risen up… Liu Pang, a peasant, rose up and consolidated control. Changes name to Han Gaozu “Exalted Emperor of the Han”. A New Dynasty.
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End of the Qin • In 221BC, the Qin Dynasty was overthrown 4 years after Qin’s death. • Dynasty lasted less than 20 years. • Peasants had risen up… • Liu Pang, a peasant, rose up and consolidated control. • Changes name to Han Gaozu • “Exalted Emperor of the Han”
A New Dynasty • Han Gaozu kept some of the Qin policies… • Keeps the empire divided into provinces. • But, he discards the legalism of the Qin. • Review: What is legalism? • Instead, the Han Dynasty begins teaching Confucianism in schools. • Review: What is Confucianism?
Expansion • From 141BC to 86BC a Han ruler named Han Wudi, expands the empire to the south and the West. • Drove barbarians invaders back beyond the Great Wall. • Extends it • Experienced 150 years of peace. • Trade flourishes along the Silk Road.
Mostly Luxury Goods • Why? Camel Caravans were expensive. • China: Silk, Spices, Tea, Porcelain. • India: Ivory, Textiles, Stones, Pepper. • Rome: Wool and linen clothes, glass, stones. • Stretched 4000 miles from China to the Mediterranean.
Key Contributions • During the Han dynasty, the educational system, arts, public works, and scientific invention and discovery flourished. • Some inventions… • Better rudders and rigging for ships. • Sail into the wind. • Paper • Water clocks • Use dripping water to tell time.
Seismograph… • Capable of detecting and identifying the epicenter of earthquakes up to 400 miles from the Chinese capital. • Earth tremors would set off an alarm, causing a silver ball in the mouth of one of eight dragons to fall into the mouth of a frog at the base of the device, indicating direction.
Decline and Fall of the Han • Several factors led to the decline and collapse of the Han • Han rulers became focused on the pleasures of noble life. • Wealthy bought up large amounts of land, forcing farmers off their land. • Barbarians (Huns) began raiding again from the north. • By 190AD rebel peasant armies sacked the capital. • The Han were finished, but… • The next great dynasty would not arise for 400 years.