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