![]() With the introduction of an examination system, admission to the Civil Service now depended on merit rather than patronage. A regime of lighter central control with lower taxation pleased the people. It was initially administered as 10 kingdoms and 15 commanderies, by 1CE this had expanded into 20 kingdoms and 83 commanderies. The fragmented nature of China up to this point of small kingdoms with strong local loyalty survived into the Han dynasty. Government continued to be split into three departments: administration military and supervision of administration each with three Grand Secretaries. Many of the reforms brought in by Qin Shihuangdi were retained. The Chinese population grew rapidly by 1CE it was over 57 million, more people than in the entire, contemporary Roman Empire. It became the eastern terminus of the Silk Road into China and the largest city in the world at the time. Gaodi ( 高 祖) founded his new capital close by the Wei River at Chang'an, on the site of the modern day city of Xi'an. The Han dynasty went on to last 400 years. On accession he took the name Gaodi high emperor (or Gaozu high ancestor) and began a reign which is still widely admired. War nevertheless continued and after a further five years, long remembered in stories, Liu Bang emerged triumphant. His chief opponent was Xiang Yu 项羽 who controlled the eastern kingdoms including Chu. Liu Bang was given Sichuan and Southern Shaanxi, he took the name of ‘King of Han’ after the Han river that flows through this area. To avoid further warfare a pact was signed that split up the Qin empire into many small kingdoms. A few leaders of the original kingdoms of the Warring States attempted to rebuild their own kingdoms. On the fall of the Qin, the massive imperial palace at Xianyang (seven times larger than the Forbidden City, Beijing and including a huge library) was burnt down and it blazed for three months. Liu Bang, born of peasant stock, led the rebellion against the vestiges of Qin rule and became the first Han Emperor in 206BCE. A short book (129 pages) that can only hope to give a summary in that number of pages. Book: China: A History of China and East Asia Gives a quick overview of the main events in Chinese history and also covers traditions such as martial arts and tradtional medicine as well as other key topics. When the Qin dynasty rapidly collapsed China might have reverted to a set of small ancient kingdoms had it not been for Liu Bang who founded the Han dynasty. ![]() ![]() Modern history People's Republic of China Future Leaders Government Space Exploration Economy Long March Republic of China May 4th Movement History | Dynasties | Han Dynasty Han Dynasty 汉 朝 206BCE - 220 CE ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |