NAME: DATE:

The Xiongnu and Han Empires

At about the same time that China was being unified first under the Qin
dynasty and then more enduringly under the Han Dynasty (206 BCE to 220 CE)
the first unified confederation of “barbarian” tribes came together to create
their own empire north of China. The Han Chinese called this group the
Xiongnu. They were Eurasian nomads, and during the early years of the Han
dynasty they established themselves as the dominant power in present day
southern Siberia, Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and the Chinese provinces of
Gansu and Xinjiang. During the short Qin dynasty (221 BCE to 207 BCE), the
Chinese armies had attacked the Xiongnu and succeeded in pushing them back
into Mongolia. This defeat actually prompted the Xiongnu to reorganize and
become stronger in the process.

The first years of the Han dynasty were made quite difficult because of
the rising power of the Xiongnu to the north. Eventually, he Xiongnu grew so
strong that they launched an attack against the Han. The Han decided to
retaliate in 201 BCE. Unfortunately for the Han, this invasion went poorly and
the emperor himself was for a time trapped. By 198 BCE, the Han were
compelled to sign a treaty. In return for the Xiongnu promising to not invade
China, the treaty forced the Han to present ”gifts” of food and textiles that the
Xiongnu viewed as tribute.

This humiliating agreement for the Han did not serve as a long-term
solution. Instead, the Xiongnu and the Han fought repeatedly over the next
several decades. Eventually, successive Han victories pushed the Xiongnu
further back into the central Asian steppe. By 60 BCE the Han were able to take
advantage of conflict among the Xiongnu themselves and establish their own
friendly government in the region. Finally, when the leader of the Xiongnu died,
a civil war broke out as the different tribes battled for control. This civil war
effectively reduced the Xiongnu into a tributary relationship with china.

©PBS LearningMedia, 2015 All rights reserved.

Instructions

In this activity, you will use what you’ve learned about the relationship
between the pastoral Xiongnu and the Han Chinese empire to come to some
conclusions about how and why these two groups engaged in continual conflict.
As you read, take notes in the graphic organizer below. Then, use those notes
to answer the essay question that follows.

Reading Analysis

Use the graphic organizer below to take notes as you read.

Han Chinese Xiongnu

Similarities

Differences

Change Over Time

©PBS LearningMedia, 2015 All rights reserved.

Applying Knowledge

Using what you have learned in the reading, answer the following
question: “What might explain why these two groups engaged in continual
conflict of an extended period of time?” Be sure to use cite specific examples
from the readings and use your own understanding of how different groups
sometimes struggle to get along to speculate on things not discussed in the
reading.

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

©PBS LearningMedia, 2015 All rights reserved.