Early Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu

Managing people from different cultures and backgrounds within a single empire.

Systems of roads, messengers, and other infrastructure crucial for trade and control.

Important for protecting trade, enforcing laws, and national security.

Gathering revenue to fund empire expenses, but too much can damage the economy.

Preventing corruption and abuse of power by officials.

Granting privileges and sharing knowledge to gain support.

Balancing economic, political and social aspects of governance to ensure the empire's long-term well-being.

The period of weakening and disintegration of large empires, especially by the 3rd-7th centuries.

Han Emperor Wudi, who reigned from 141 to 87 B.C., known for expanding the Chinese empire through warfare.

Fierce nomadic group from the steppes north and west of China, famous for archery.

Political maneuvering among influential people in the court, distracting the emperor.

The early Han emperors tried to buy off the Xiongnu with gifts like silk, rice, and money.

Xiongnu raids included taking hostages and stealing resources from Chinese settlements.

The belief that the emperor's rule is divinely justified, as long as he governs effectively. If the emperor fails, natural disasters are seen as signs of divine disapproval.

The Han emperors used a complex bureaucracy, a system of government officials with specialized roles, to manage the empire's affairs.

The Han government collected taxes from peasants and merchants to fund the bureaucracy, the imperial army, and infrastructure projects.

The Han government required peasants to contribute a month of labor each year, which was used to build infrastructure like roads, canals, and fortifications.

Government positions were awarded through competitive examinations based on knowledge and skills, not just by birth or connections.

Confucianism, with its emphasis on ethical conduct and good governance, strongly influenced the Han bureaucracy and its ideals of responsible leadership.

The Han society was organized into distinct social classes with different roles and responsibilities, starting with the emperor at the top down to enslaved individuals.

The Han Dynasty created a complex system of governance, used various strategies to collect resources, and relied on Confucian values to ensure stability and longevity.

The Han dynasty used Confucian principles to select and train government officials, emphasizing traits like respect, generosity, honesty, and diligence.

Emperor Wudi established a system where aspiring officials took tests in subjects like history, law, literature, and Confucianism to gain government positions.

The Han exam system mainly favored the wealthy, as peasants could rarely afford to educate their sons, limiting their chances for government service.

Despite its flaws, the system worked efficiently and lasted until 1912, showcasing its lasting impact on Chinese governance.

Around 2,000 years ago, the Chinese invented paper, using plants like hemp to create thin sheets, a major advancement over previous writing materials.

The buying and selling of goods.

The Han centralized government actively managed and controlled aspects of commerce and manufacturing, influencing economic activity.

Advances in technology, like the invention of paper, significantly impacted various aspects of Chinese life, influencing everything from communication to education.

A powerful dynasty in Chinese history that lasted from 206 BCE to 220 CE, known for its strong central government, innovative technologies, and cultural achievements.

A system where a single ruler or authority holds the most power, making decisions for the entire empire.

A system of government officials who are chosen based on their skills and knowledge, rather than their family background.

Exclusive control over the production, distribution, or sale of a particular product or service.

The process by which a group of people adopt the culture, language, and customs of another group.

The establishment of a strong and stable centralized government, which allowed for the unification of China and the expansion of its influence.

Emperor Wudi supported the development of Confucianism and its teachings, establishing schools and promoting scholarship within the government.

Women were mainly confined to domestic roles, but some had influence within the family and even in politics, particularly as empresses and within royal families.

The practice of dividing farmland among sons upon a father's death led to smaller and smaller plots, making it harder for peasant families to sustain themselves.

A network of trade routes connecting China to the West, vital for the Han Dynasty's economy and prosperity.

Nomadic tribes from the steppes posed a constant danger to the Han Dynasty, raiding and disrupting trade.

Prolonged conflict between the Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu, lasting over 200 years, had a significant impact on the empire.

The Han Dynasty's victory over the Xiongnu in 89 CE proved costly, weakening the empire and creating new threats.

After the Xiongnu were defeated, the Qiang people, previously oppressed by them, revolted against the Han Dynasty.

The Han Dynasty struggled to control the frontier, facing nomadic tribes, rebellious Qiang, and even its own generals turning into warlords.

The Han Dynasty's weakening and loss of control over the frontier ultimately contributed to the empire's downfall.

Managing a vast empire with diverse populations, infrastructure, and economic needs while maintaining stability and security.

Long-distance trade was vital for an empire's economy, requiring regulation, currency, and protection.

Empires needed to balance the authority of officials, taxes, and military strength to prevent rebellion and maintain stability.

Empires tried to win loyalty by granting privileges, sharing knowledge, and ensuring subject peoples felt included.

Empires needed to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining balance to endure.

Weaknesses in governance, economic instability, and external threats contributed to the decline of empires.

The decline of powerful empires led to periods of instability and change in the world, reshaping political and social landscapes.

Ts’ai Lun, a Han official, invented a stronger paper by mixing mulberry bark and old rags with hemp fiber in A.D. 105.

The invention of paper made record keeping more efficient, allowing Chinese bureaucracy to expand and education to spread within China.

The collar harness, invented during the Han Dynasty, allowed horses to pull heavier loads than traditional European harnesses.

The Han perfected a plow with two blades, making it more efficient for farming and meeting the needs of a growing population.

The Han placed immense importance on agriculture, viewing it as the foundation of their society and honoring farmers as essential for feeding the growing population.

The Han dynasty was a period of great prosperity and stability in Chinese history, marked by technological advancements, a strong centralized government, and the spread of Confucian values.

The Abbasid caliphate was a powerful Islamic empire that ruled from 750 to 1258 AD. It was known for its advancements in science, culture, and trade.

The Fatimid Caliphate was a rival Islamic state founded by Shi’a Muslims in North Africa. They claimed descent from Muhammad's daughter Fatima and spread to western Arabia and Syria.

The Muslim Empire had extensive trade networks through the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean, connecting it with the rest of the world.

Arabic, the common language of the Muslim empire, facilitated communication and made trading easier for merchants.

A sakk was a letter of credit used by merchants in the Muslim Empire to exchange money in different cities.

The Abbasids tried to control a vast empire that included diverse regions and peoples. Their authority was often challenged by independent Muslim states.

A prominent Muslim general under Abu-Bakr, known for his military successes and his tolerance towards conquered people.

The conditions offered by Khalid ibn al-Walid to the people of Damascus, outlining their safety and rights upon surrendering to Muslim rule.

The Muslim Empire relied on both sea and land trade networks. These networks connected important cities and regions, facilitating the flow of goods and ideas.

Arabic was the unifying language of the Muslim Empire, facilitating communication and trade across diverse territories.

Despite their conquests, the early Muslim leaders allowed conquered Christians and Jews to practice their religions and hold positions in society.

The assassination of the third caliph, Uthman, in 656, triggered a civil war in the Muslim community, leading to power struggles.

Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, Ali, had a strong claim to succeed Uthman as caliph, but his right to rule was contested.

A family who rose to power after the death of Ali, shifting the Muslim capital to Damascus and changing the political landscape.

The Umayyads relocated the Muslim capital to Damascus, strategically located for controlling conquered territories, but also sparking discontent among Arab Muslims.

The Umayyads adopted a more lavish lifestyle, contrasting with the simple lives of previous caliphs, which further alienated some Muslims.

The Abbasid capital city of Baghdad, known for its circular design and grand mosque, impressed all who saw it.

The caliph's palace, built of marble and stone, was located in the innermost circle of Baghdad's circular design, showcasing its power and splendor.

Baghdad was designed with three circular protective walls, with the caliph's palace and mosque located in the innermost circle.

Originally, the main streets between the middle wall and the palace in Baghdad were lined with shops, creating a thriving commercial area.

Later, the bustling marketplace in Baghdad moved to a district outside the walls, suggesting an expansion of commercial activity.

Cities symbolized the strength and power of the caliphate, serving as centers of administration, trade, and cultural exchange.

Important cities in the early Muslim world included Cordoba (Umayyad capital), Cairo (Fatimid capital), and Jerusalem.

Baghdad's population was significantly larger than other important cities like Cordoba, highlighting its dominance in the Abbasid Empire.

A husband could divorce his wife by repeating "I dismiss thee" three times, and the divorce became final in three months.

Women's responsibilities varied based on their husband's wealth. Poor wives worked in the fields, while wealthier wives managed the household and servants. All women raised children and could be educated.

In the early days of Islam, women participated in public life and received education; however, over time, they were increasingly isolated and required to veil in public.

Muslims saw practical benefits (medicine, prayer calculations) and a quest for truth as reasons for supporting science. It also reflected their curiosity about the world.

Muhammad emphasized the importance of learning, stating it helps distinguish right from wrong, guides to Heaven, and provides companionship and support.

Muslim women, regardless of their husband's wealth, were responsible for the raising of the children.

Gardens in Persia were seen as earthly representations of paradise, a place of beauty and tranquility.

A sakk was a form of letter of credit used by merchants in the Muslim empire to exchange money or goods in different cities.