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- Confucianism was very popular in Ancient China. According to traditional Confucian views, society is made up of four classes: nobles, farmers, artisans and merchants.
- Confucius taught that a society could not be successful without strict social order and discipline.
- Ancient China was a strict hierarchal society. It contained different social groups, with differing levels of wealth, power and influence.
- People in each group knew what was expected of them and how to respect one another.

Focus Question:

Does Australia have a social class system? Discuss.

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- Artisans and craftspeople (the gong) were predominantly poor but well regarded for their skills and labour in producing what people needed. This group included painters, sculptors and jewellery makers.
- They were responsible for making useful items such as swords and knives as well as creating luxury goods for the wealthy class.
- Many worked in government owned factories and workshops under strict supervision. Others worked in private workshops that produced goods for the wealthy.
- Their skills were usually handed down from father to son. - Successful and highly skilled artisans were able to expand their business by taking on apprentices and additional workers.

Source Analysis:

What information about Artisans can you gather from the source below?

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- Even though artisans and craftspeople often earned more than farmers, they were less respected and did not own land.
- They enjoyed a legal status superior to merchants, as they were allowed to wear fancy silks, ride on horseback and ride in carriages.
- There were no laws which barred artisans from achieving further education and becoming an offical.
-  Although many were poor, some were able to obtain a valuable income and eat/live like a noble.
- Artisans were often urban dwellers, living in cities and had the opportunity to travel.

Focus Question:

Why do you think farmers were more respected than artisans?

Do you think Artisans felt valued within Ancient Chinese society? Explain you answer.

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- Metalworkers were responsible for some important developments during the Han Dynasty.
- Prior to the Han period, metalworkers shaped iron by hammering it while it was red hot. During the Han Dynasty metalworkers learned how to pour molten iron into clay moulds and cool. This was arguably the first time a cast iron process was used in history.
- Metalworkers also learned to make steel by heating cast-iron until most of the carbon was gone. Using these techniques, they were able to produce tools, cooking pots, everyday objects and weapons of very high quality.

Activity:
To find out more about how this group of artisans worked, click on the following link.

Bronze Workshop:
http://www.ancientchina.co.uk/crafts/explore/bz_intro.html

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-  Skilled weavers were a group of artisans who worked with silk. - Those who sewed elaborate patterns into the silk were known as embroiders.
- These silk craftspeople were highly valued because silk was a highly valued product.
- Many clothes for wealthy people were made of silk, including imperial robes. Important paintings were sometimes done on silk and it was sometimes used as writing material for special occasions.
- During the Han Dynasty, silk production increased. Artisans found special skills for producing more silk but kept this a State secret. The abundance of silk increased profit dramatically. This helped to increase trade between civilisations, creating a more prosperous economy.

Watch this short video:      https://youtu.be/PUtI2XwoNZQ

Extended:
How do you think Silk provided links between different groups in Ancient China?

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- The Arts began to develop during the Han period, as calligraphy and painting were no longer seen as pure letter symbols. Ceramics were also developed along with pottery.
- Many of the greatest works in pottery were originally from the Han dynasty. Emperors and noblemen would decorate their tombs with pottery of warriors, furniture and everything they would need in the afterlife.

Activity:

To find out more about Art during the Han Dynasty, click on the following link.

https://www.ancient.eu/article/1128/the-art-of-the-han-dynasty/

Focus Questions:

What contribution did Artisans make to Chinese society?

How significant was their impact overall?