The Han Dynasty

1
The Han Dynasty

• In this lesson, students will be able identify
  significant characteristics of the Han dynasty.
• Students will be able to identify and/or define
  the following terms
• The Han Dynasty
• Civil Service Examination
• Silk Road
• Cultural Diffusion

2
The Han dynasty was an important Chinese dynasty.
3
The Han Dynasty

• The Han dynasty unified China for over four
  hundred years.
• Han emperors ruled China from 206 B.C. to 220
  A.D.
• The Han dynasty is frequently compared to the
  Roman Empire.

4
Han emperors expanded Chinas borders and
increased trade.
5
Confucianism

• During the Han dynasty, Confucianism began the
  official philosophy of China.
• Confucianism stressed the importance of
  individuals knowing and doing what was expected
  of them.
• Confucius taught that social order led to peace
  and harmony in society.

6
Confucius believed in the importance of the
social order. He believed that an orderly
society was a harmonious society.
7
Civil Service Examination

• During the Han dynasty, a civil service
  examination based on Confucianism was
  established.
• In order to work in the Chinese government, a man
  had to pass an examination on Chinese history and
  Confucianism.
• Only scholars could work in the government.

8
To work for the government, a Chinese man had to
pass a difficult examination. By establishing a
civil service examination, education
was emphasized.
9
Overland Trade

• During the Han dynasty, merchants established
  overland trade routes to other centers of
  civilization.
• The Silk Road went through Central Asia to the
  Middle East.
• The Silk Road was a famous Chinese trading route.

10
The Silk Road was a famous Chinese trading route.
11
Cultural Diffusion

• Cultural diffusion is the exchange of cultural
  ideas and/or objects.
• The Silk Road encouraged cultural diffusion.
• Chinese ideas and objects were introduced to
  other cultures.

12
The Chinese invented the compass and many other
wonderful objects.
13
Chinese contact with India led to the
introduction of Buddhism in China.
14
Questions for Reflection

• Why is the Han dynasty frequently compared to the
  Roman Empire?
• Why did Han emperors establish a civil service
  examination?
• What philosophy became the official philosophy of
  China during the Han dynasty?
• Why did the Silk Road increase cultural diffusion?