Classical China, Part 3: The Han Dynasty

This is part three of a four-part series on China in the Classical Period (600BCE-600CE). I looks at the roots and growth of the Han Dynasty, including how it grew out of the collapse of the Qin Dynasty to become China's first great dynasty. Don't forget to hit the Like and Subscribe videos to make sure you receive notifications about upcoming Literature, Grammar, Reading, Writing, and World History lessons from MrBrayman.Info. Below is the outline of the slides used in the lesson: The Han Dynasty Part Three of a Four-Part Series on Classical China Here We Go Again... The Qin Dynasty collapsed after Shi Huangdi (was it a dynasty?) because it lost the Mandate of Heaven The rise of the Han Dynasty is the fastest dynastic change in Chinese history (except for the Yuan) Liu Bang Peasant by birth "In his youth Liu Bang was lazy, uneducated, and jobless. He was best known for his fondness for wine and women" (Stearns, 89). Not a skilled commander but a skilled leader who united larger and larger groups of peasants, bureaucrats, and soldiers Named himself emperor in 202BCE, founding the Han Dynasty Rise of the Han Dynasty Unified by anger at the Qin Used Qin roads, canals, coinage systems, weights and measures systems, laws, writing, etc. to maintain the wealth and strength of China Han political skill + Qin achievements = a very strong dynasty Han Political Control Broke up large fiefs (lands held by aristocrats in feudal systems) Restricted inheritance of land to keep local families from becoming too powerful Centralization of power Han Dynasty Imperialism Han Culture Han Culture As the shi became more powerful once again, they emphasized Confucianism Renewed interest in the rites, forms, ceremonies, writings, and art of Confucianism and the times of Confucius brought order and harmony back to China Strong Agricultural Surpluses—led to wealth and peace inside China Limited Import Trade—money stayed inside of China Strong Export Trade in china, silks, and spices—money flowing into China Large, shi landowners—Scholar-Gentry Took care of the peasants and generally gave them a lot of freedom Influence of Confucianism Horse Collar Improved Crop Patterns Iron Tools—Boosted Agricultural Output Paper and Brush Pen Watermill Sternpost Rudder Compass Silk Irrigation Canals Medicine (Agriculture) Standardized Weights and Measures Silk Road Trade Lesson Completed