qin & han dynasties i.problems of empire ii.qin dynasty iii.han dynasty ids: qin shi huang di,...
TRANSCRIPT
Qin & Han Dynasties
I. Problems of EmpireII. Qin DynastyIII. Han Dynasty
IDs: Qin Shi Huang Di, Han Dynasty, 206BCE-220CE, scholar-officials
Grand Empires:
China & Rome
I. Problems of Empire
A. Keep control of distant regions
B. Keep population obedient, peaceful & productive
C. Protect empire & increase power
D. What makes an empire effective?
1. Ideologies (ideas, propaganda, belief systems)
2. Practical Gov’t. Ideas (administration, military, projects)
II. Qin Dynasty (221-210 BCE)
Qin Shi Huang Di – The First Emperor
A. Unified China
Massive militaryConquered territory to
contain XiongnuBuilt Great Wall
B. Administration
Divided empire into 36 commanderies
Governors appointed by emperor
Strict control, changed often, rules
C. Qin Ideology: Legalism
Strict Laws High taxesMassive public works projects
D. Fighting Nomads: Xiongnu
E. Treatment of Peasants
• Freed from serfdom• Owned their own
land• High taxes to state• Forced labor
F. Qin Legacy: Model of Bad Gov’t.
III. Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE)
A. Propaganda: Mandate of Heaven
Liu Bang (1st Han emperor): saving Chinese from evil Qin emperor
Similar policies; more effective ideology & propaganda
B. Ideology: Confucianism
• Buy-in of elites• Partnership of elites &
emperor• Scholar-officials
C. Administration
1. Keeps Qin commandery/
governor system2. Scholar-officials trained in Confucianism school system professional civil
service Highest social class
2. Centralized, bureaucratic gov’t.
Big issue: competition between center & local elites
Solution: Bureaucracy of scholar-officials
D. Fighting Nomads: Xiongnu
1. Connections to Silk Road
Missions: Allies against Xiongnu
2. Trade with Central Asia (& Rome)
• horses
3. Pax Sinica (Chinese Peace)
Foreign policy: tribute to emperor of China as overlord
titles, gifts & rights to vassal states
E. Treatment of Peasants
• Free peasants with small farms
• Infrastructure to support them
F. Model for Future Dynasties
Ideal of unity