What is the significance of the han dynasty in chinese history

The boundaries established by the Qin and maintained by the Han have more or less defined the nation of China up to the present day. Poetry, literature, and philosophy flourished during the reign of Emperor Wu —87 B.

Wudi also established Confucianism as the basis for correct official and individual conduct and for the educational curriculum. Under Wu, China regained control of territories, first conquered by Qin Shihuang, in southern China and the northern part of Vietnam.

New commanderies were established in Korea , and contacts were made with the western regions of Central Asia. The conquest of Ferghana and neighboring regions in B.

In return for its silk and gold, China received wine, spices, woolen fabrics, grapes, pomegranates, sesame, broad beans, and alfafa. Disputes among factions, including the families of imperial consorts, contributed to the dissolution of the Western Han empire. A generation later, China flourished again under the Eastern Han dynasty 25— A.

Organized around a north-south axis and covering an area of approximately four square miles, the city was dominated by two enormous palace complexes, each acres and linked by a covered pathway. Ban Chao 32— A. In Bactria, Zhang Qian saw bamboo and textiles brought from China and asked how they had gotten there. He was told that the items came from a kingdom in Afghanistan called Shendu.

Thirteen years after he had left, Zhang Qian made his way back to the Emperor, told him of what he had seen and mapped out a route to send an expedition back there.

The map and this route was used more and more, and developed into the international trade route known as the Silk Road. Map showing the expansion of Han dynasty in 2nd century BC. The orange line marks Zhang Qians travels. Most knowledge of Han Dynasty art comes from the tombs of ruling families. The Wu Family site in Jiaxiang is one of the most famous. With two underground chambers beneath four shrines, the tomb features 70 carved stones and painted ceilings and walls depicting historical figures.

The site contained about 3, examples of Han Dynasty art figures, utilizing silver, bronze, gold, jade, silk and pottery. Two suits with 2, pieces of jade in each were discovered in the tomb. Found often in Han Dynasty tombs are models of houses in pottery form, with varying degrees of sophistication. The tomb are believed to have survived with their treasures intact because their outside areas were not adorned in any special way, but marked only by a large pile of dirt. The Western Han ended in 9 A.

The last several emperors had died young and their power had consistently transferred to their maternal uncles in the role of commander in chief. Wang Mang broke apart the aristocratic estates and redistributed them among the peasants. The peasant class became frustrated by massive flooding and by 23 A. Liu Xiu, a descendent of Gaozu, took advantage of the moment and grabbed control, establishing a new capital in Luoyang and the new dynasty known as the Eastern Han.

Following the death of Emperor Zhang in 88 A. The young emperors were kept isolated with eunuchs, who became their closest allies and often co-conspirators. The Han, although not the first Chinese dynasty, was the one to establish Confucianism as the official state philosophy, a decision which the country still feels nearly 2, years later.

We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements.

To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK". Sign Up. Travel Guides. Videos Beyond Hollywood Hungerlust Pioneers of love.

Rachel Deason. In Short. The Rise and Fall. Give us feedback. Read Next View. During its long reign of almost four hundred years, many foundations were laid for enduring aspects of Chinese society. Philosophy and literature flourished during the Han dynasty. Confucianism a system of ethical and philosophical teaching associated with the Chinese philosopher Confucius — BCE. He developed a system of thought that stressed the importance of good government, social order, and harmonious and moral living.

A civil service was created with entrance examinations based on knowledge of Confucian texts—a system that lasted through the early twentieth century. Daoism dow-ihz-uhm a philosophy based on the ideas of the Chinese thinker Laozi, who taught that people should be guided by a universal force called the Dao Way. During the rule of Emperor Wu reigned —87 BCE , the Han defeated the Xiongnu shee-ong noo , a Central Asian nomadic tribal group that resided west of China proper, and gained control of the regions where the Xiongnu lived.

China was now in control of the trading routes across the middle of Asia for the first time. These routes extended to the Mediterranean region and the Near East and were later known as the Silk Road.