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Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE) – Overview
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Time Period
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202 BCE – 220 CE
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Founder
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Liu Bang (Emperor Gaozu)
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Capital
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Chang’an (also known as Xianyang during Western Han)
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Major Achievements
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- Centralization and bureaucracy: Established a centralized bureaucratic system to govern the vast empire. The officials selected through civil service exams.
- Silk Road: Facilitated trade along the Silk Road. They promoted cultural exchange and economic growth.
- Confucianism: Adopted Confucianism as the state ideology, which influenced governance and education.
- Science and Technology: Made significant advancements in agriculture, metallurgy, and invention (e.g., papermaking, compass).
- Expansion: Expanded the empire’s territory through military conquests and diplomacy.
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Major Emperors
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- Emperor Gaozu (Liu Bang): Founder of the dynasty, known for consolidating power and establishing the Han dynasty.
- Emperor Wu: Known for his military campaigns, expansion of territory, and patronage of Confucianism.
- Emperor Wen: Implemented reforms to promote agriculture and reduce taxes, fostering stability and prosperity.
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Decline
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- Corruption and Factionalism: Corruption within the government and power struggles among eunuchs and aristocrats weakened the dynasty.
- External Threats: Encroachment by nomadic tribes from the north, such as the Xiongnu, and internal rebellion strained the empire.
- Economic Issues: Heavy taxation, land distribution problems, and inflation led to social unrest and rebellions.
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End
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After the Han Dynasty, China split into three fighting kingdoms: Wei, Shu, and Wu. This happened in 220 CE, and it was the end of the Han Dynasty.
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Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE)
The Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE) was a major period in ancient China. It was the second dynasty that governed China around 100 years. Before the Han, there was the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE). After the Han Dynasty, there was a period ruled over China that was called the Three Kingdoms (220-280 CE).
In this article, we are going to discuss the Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE) in detail.