Chapter 9
Lesson 4
The Han
Dynasty
Pages 281-287
What kind of government
did Han rulers created
and how did it affect
people’s lives?
Revival of Confucianism
• The Han dynasty created many new inventions
including a seismograph (earthquake detector).
• Han rulers used Confucianism to make their
government. They gave up on using Legalism
alone.
• Government was a balance of the two. This
balance is known as Yin & Yang.
Daily Life in the Empire
• People in the farmland worked hard to produce
enough food.
• The cities were centers of government,
education (schools), and trade. The rich tended
to live in the city, not on a farm.
Achievements of the Han Dynasty
• The Han rulers made their people happy, so
they had the loyalty of the people.
• The Han dynasty conquered new territory and
expanded the empire.
• The Silk Road was first used as a trade route
during this time.
• Han rulers kept the secret of silk production.
• They used middlemen to do their trading for
them.
Achievements of the Han Dynasty 2
• Han doctors studied medicines and invented
acupuncture.
• They developed methods for tunneling.
• The Han also invented paper.