The Han DynastyBy Kevin Meyer, Avery Weber, Hayden Weis, Zach Rademacher, Phillip Petersen, and Jason Johnson.

Origins of the Dynasty● The Han Dynasty became known in 206 BCE and the first emperor came to power

during 202 BCE after conquering in the last rebellion● Liu Bang had an enemy named Xiang Yu who was also trying to be emperor and later

committed suicide when majority of people were for Liu Bang● After the fall of the Qin Dynasty, official Liu Bang raised an army and took throne.● Bang then established the imperial capital city of Chang’an where all roads converged● The city became the end of the eastern part of the Silk road which was full of many

different types of trade routes that linked the ancient world● Chang’an was the economical, political, military, and cultural center of China which

came to a halt● After Bang’s death when his empress Lu Zhi killed several of his sons that would come

into power and tried to confiscate the empire for her own family

Government● In the early Han Dynasty the imperial princes were often given the title of kings● The power of the imperial princes stayed within the family after they had died out● Officials were now chosen based on knowledge rather than social status● These top officials lived in the capital to give advice to the kings● During the Han Dynasty the government was a mix of feudal structures and a central

bureaucracy● The legal system used in the Han Dynasty covered almost everything that most legal

systems cover today● In their legal system they had 906 volumes and 60 different headings that are dealt with

today

Religious Beliefs and InstitutionsTaoism was the main religion in the Han Dynasty, however, it was not the only one.

Confucianism was another important religion.

-The Han believed that the three realms of Heaven, Earth, and Mankind were linked by natural cycles of Yin and Yang, somewhat like karma, good and bad forces. -If a Han Emperor didn’t rule using the forces of Yin and Yang would cause bad things, and if he behaved properly good things would come. - Emperors also acted as high priests who would make sacrifices to heaven. - Heaven was the name of the five main deities known as The Five Powers. - Practiced the Mandate of Heaven

Major Cities● Chang’an was the city which held the imperial capital, which was created by Liu Bang● Xi’an was another major city, which was chosen due to its strategic importance.● All major roads converged in Chang’an.● Chang’an became the Eastern end of the Silk Road.● Chang’an became a center for politics, economics, military, and culture of China, and by

2 CE it’s population was nearly 250,000.● By 23 CE the Red Eyebrows entered Chang’an sacked it, and the imperial capital was

relocated to the city of Luoyang.● Ruins of Chang’an● Terracotta army of Xi’an

Economy

● The Han Dynasty was defined for its significant population growth and industry and trade

● Also the circulation of a coin currency grew very significantly, leading to the foundation of a monetary system

● This trade was made possible by the Silk Road● The increased demand of silk in the Roman Empire lead to the commercial traffic of the

Han Dynasty through both Central Asia and the Indian Ocean● The main trade route leading into the Han Dynasty passed through the chinese city of

Kashgar

Spread of the Dynasty● Southern expansion of the Han Dynasty is modern South China and Northern Vietnam● The primary goal of the Han dynasty was to unite China● The Qin Dynasty started this expansion and was continued by the Han● Emperor Wudi conquered parts of modern Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam and Korea● New territories adapted traditions, ways of writing and teachings to match the Hans● The Han dynasty also expanded west in order to establish trade routes on the Silk Road● Chinese immigration also helped with the spread of the dynasty● The surge in migration helped merge Han features with indigenous traditions

Reasons for Collapse/Loss of Power● The fall started just after the 1st century C.E when many emperors died without an heir● Many natural disasters were seen as an omen that the heavens were unhappy with the

Han Dynasty● A group of people called Eunuchs gained power and were openly against the corruption

within the government● In 184 C.E an uprising of peasants was known as the Yellow Turban Rebellion

threatening the capital● The capital was seized in 190 C.E by a warlord known as Dong Zhou● The boy that was left in control of the dynasty was a member of the Han family but was

really ruling under Dong Zhou● The eunuchs were all killed and the city of Luoyang was burned ● Wars between powerful people lasted 350 years until China was unified again

● Violatti, Cristian. "Han Dynasty." Ancient History Encyclopedia. N.p., 27 May 2013. Web. 11 Nov. 2015. <http://www.ancient.eu/Han_Dynasty/>.

● "Han Dynasty." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Han_dynasty>.

● "The Chinese Han Dynasty Government System & Laws." Totally History Han Dynasty Government Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2015. <http://totallyhistory.com/han-dynasty-government/>.

● http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/main_pop/kpct/kp_qinhan.htm

● And Darth Vader ‘cause why not.

Works Cited