Han+dynasty

In 207 BCE, the Qin Dy nasty gave way to the more powerful Han Dynasty established by a peasant leader after revolts caused by the previous emperor's death. Located along the Yangtze and Huanghe Rivers, the dynasty was based upon a central government with troops and tax revenues and operated on military and judicial systems. Chang'an, the Han capital, and the Silk Road were the main sources of trade and communication with others, such as the Roman Empire. In early Han, Legalism was an important religion, but when Wu Ti became emperor, Confucianism was the dominant religion and Daoism a close second. Under Wu Ti's rule public schools and national examinations were established as well as the colonization of Manchuria, Korea, and Vietnam. Although unlikely, it was possible for men to rise above their social classes; if they were able to pass the tedious three year examination process, which was available for all men, they were given the opportunity to participate in the bureaucracy. Family life was based on filial piety and patriarchalism. There was even a hierarchical order for children. The Han Dynasty is famous for its ingenious invention of collars for animals which pulled plows and wagons, of water powered mills, and of rice paper. These inventions as well as textiles, pottery, jewelry, leather, and ceramic figures were sold along the Silk Road. With the rise of Confucian philosophy, education, and trade, the Han Dynasty spread across eastern Asia manifesting accomplishments as great as those of the Roman Empire.

http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/early_imperial_china/han.html

http://www.silk-road.com/artl/wuti.shtml

Created by Christina Oelsner 9-23-08 Edited by Stacy Fairey 9.24.08