Han Dynasty By Leo Deng

Map !   The Han Dynasty lasted

from 206 BCE – 220 AD

!   The Western Han is led by a former official named Liu Bang, who became the first emperor of the Han Dynasty.

!   If the Han Dynasty still existed today it would cover the countries of China, North Korea, Vietnam, and large areas of central Asia.

Background

!   China grew rapidly during the Han Dynasty. There were originally 2 periods of the Han Dynasty called the Western Han and the Eastern Han.

!   During the Han Dynasty, the culture and economic levels reached a high point. At that time they created the Silk Road. Trade and industry started to flourish and get better once it was created.

Social Structure

!   The government at the time was ruled by the emperor and all the seats were chosen by him. He had the right to take away someone's power and to give it to them as well. There was no limit to his power but the court still had a say on things.

!   Peasants were very poor but hardworking people. They worked on the farm for a living and didn't’t make much money.

!   In the Han Dynasty housing was mostly made of wood, rocks, and mud. They had many leaks and drafts, and they were over crowded.

!   The type of house an average person would live in would have a sleeping area, a spot to put their animal, and a cooking spot.

!   The people who lived in these houses were mostly farmers or landowners.

Housing

!   Most people back then weren’t very wealthy. The richest person in the province would be the king himself. He lives in a palace that is much bigger than the average houses used by normal people.

!   The house was usually painted red because red was a lucky color in China. It had a big yard and garden and rooms for the servants and army to live.

!   Some of the houses were 3 stories high and bigger than the average houses for people of our time.

Wealthy families

Food

!   The food consumed back then was mostly wheat , rice and beans. They also ate fruit and vegetables that we still eat today.

!   Foods like meat we eat everyday they ate as well including chicken, ducks, geese, cows, sheep, pigs, and dogs.

!   These animals were commonly hunted by hunters and sold or traded for other goods.

!   Fish was also eaten, it was mostly steamed with some herbs and spices.

Childbirth

!   In the Han Dynasty the births of children were always done in the house of the pregnant woman. They would hire a midwife to help the baby come out of the woman's womb.

!   The father is not allowed to go into the birth place, he must wait outside until the midwife brings the child outside to show him.

Childhood

!   Children in China were told what to do very early in life. Many families couldn’t afford education so they taught the children themselves.

!   When the child misbehaves he/she is punished so that when they are older they will know what is right and what is wrong and be able to live a better life.

!   They played many different games with other children such as chess, kite, and even marbles.

Education

!   In the Han Dynasty, rich people would have a teacher that taught the children about politics in the government and help with their academics which was very important in China. This was so the children could get a good job in either the palace or somewhere better.

!   But if they were poor and they couldn’t afford schooling. They would either teach their children themselves or let they learn useful work skills.

Religion

!   “Three teachings flow into one” is an old saying in China that describes the religions Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism.

!   The 3 religions merged into one so the Chinese believed in multiple gods and goddesses in nature, spirit, and demons.

God

!   Buddhism originally came from India but eventually made it’s way to china.

!   Buddhism involves a god called the Buddha. This religion was mostly believed by monks.

!   They would carve statues, paint paintings, and pray to make the Buddha happy.

!   The Buddha looks nether like a man or women, it as large earlobes, and was believed to had all sorts of bodies.

!   In ancient China the clothes worn by people describes their social class and how wealthy they are.

!   The rich wore silk robes, shirts, and other expensive clothing made out of furs because they were very soft and confortable.

!   The poor wore clothing that is made of wool or ferret skin. This is because it was warm at the same time as cheap.

Clothing

Art, Music !   The Han dynasty greatly improved art by creating paper and

improving silk weaving techniques. After this paintings were painted on paper instead of silk. They also created rock sculptures of an army to protect the king in his coffin.

!   Musicians were usually employed in the wealthier families. They played instruments such as gongs, drums, pipes, and other stringed instruments.

!   The most commonly celebrated festival in China is New Years.

!   During this holiday the Chinese would do things like give money away in a red envelope. There would be dragon suits that are worn and danced in. it would go to shops and dance for the red envelope which has money in it.

Festivals

Conclusion

!   In conclusion the Chinese were very bright for their time. They had many historical wars that we still talk about, and created many useful inventions that we still use and will continue using for a long time.

Information Bibliography

!   Ali, Daud, Fond Macdonald, Lorna Oakes, and Philp Steele. Great Civilizations of the East. New York: Southwater, 1998.

!   Blunden, Caroline and Mark Elvin. Cultural Atlas of China. Oxfordshire: Checkmark Books, 1983.

!   Han Dynasty, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Han_Dynasty

!   The Art of Asia- Chinese dynasty Guide, http://www.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/history/dynasty-han.cfm

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