Han Dynasty (202 BCE-220 CE)

Han Dynasty 202 BCE-220 CE

Western Han (202 BCE-9 CE)

Xin (9-23)

Eastern Han (25-220)

Han Longevity

Capitalized on the Qin institutions

Moderated harsh Qin policies

Traditional

Reduced severity of laws

Why does Hansen questions this explanation?

Revisionist: Slowed pace of consolidation and expansion

Qin: 221-210 BCE

Han: 202-86 BCE

*Liu Bang (Gaozu), r. 202-195 BCE

Gaozu's Policies

Moderated harsh Qin punishments?

Lowered the tax rate to 1/15 of crop

Hybrid administration

Qin-style centralized control

Western 1/3

Zhou-style feudalism in east

Kingdoms occupy 2/3 of country

Han Bureaucratic Government

Capital at Chang’an

Cradle of Dynasties

Central Government

Provincial Government

Threats to Wesstern Han Dynasty, ca. 200 BCE

Internal

Palace intrigue

Liu Bang (Emperor Gaozu), r. 202-195 BCE

*Empress Lü

Regent

"Emperor" Hui (r. 195-188 BCE)

Emperor (r. 188-180 BCE)

2 child emperors in succession

Emperor Wen, 180-157 BCE

Emperor Jing, 156-141 BCE

*Emperor Wu, r. 140-87 BCE

External

Kingdoms in east

Imperial Han Jade Shroud

Shroud of Liu Sheng, d. 113 BCE

Son of Emperor Jing

Jade Shroud from Nanyue Kingdom

Gold Seal: “Administrative Seal of Emperor Wen”

Xiongnu in North

*Emperor Wu (r. 141-87 BCE) the Consolidator and Warrior

Reducing Power of Kingdoms

Prior methods:

Death without heir
Suppression of rebellion

Emperor Jing

Proposal to reduce territory of Wu and Chu Kingdoms

Rebellion of Seven Kings, 154 BCE

Emperor Wu’s methods

Financial demands
Inheritance rules

Partible inheritance

Why is this a change from Zhou Dynasty practices?