QIN DYNASTY 221-207 BC
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The Qin dynasty was brief in duration but very important in Chinese history. It followed the Zhou dynasty and it ended when Liu Bang became the king of Han. A period of endless conflict between various regions of the country for supreme control is known as the Warring States period. The state of Qin brought an end to that when they unified China for the first time in its history. Early in the Qin Empire, the practice of Legalism reached its peak. Shi Huangdi adopted Legalism as the state philosophy and banned all others. “He ordered the destruction of the walled fortifications which had separated the different states and commissioned the building of a great wall along the northern border of his kingdom.”-9 Little remains of Huangdi’s original wall, The Great Wall of China was begun under his rule. Those who contributed the most to the state were highly rewarded while those whose lives were considered of no consequence were sent to work as slaves on the wall and other building projects.
The severe Legalist government suppressed many aspects of ancient Chinese civilians. In addition to being forced to work outdoors in harsh conditions, literacy and education was denied to the majority of the population. The government did not want people to ever doubt the authority of the empire, so they thought it was best if the people remained stupid. In very few ways did Legalism help the empire. Legalism helped to create a superior army, a disciplined bureaucracy, an obedient population, and the unquestioned authority of a strong central government. After the death of Shi Huangdi, it was difficult to keep the dynasty unified. Through a series of uprisings and rebel alliances, Qin authority was overthrown in the year 206 BCE in the capital of Xianyang.
9. Joshua J. Mark, Ancient China, (New York, 2012)
The severe Legalist government suppressed many aspects of ancient Chinese civilians. In addition to being forced to work outdoors in harsh conditions, literacy and education was denied to the majority of the population. The government did not want people to ever doubt the authority of the empire, so they thought it was best if the people remained stupid. In very few ways did Legalism help the empire. Legalism helped to create a superior army, a disciplined bureaucracy, an obedient population, and the unquestioned authority of a strong central government. After the death of Shi Huangdi, it was difficult to keep the dynasty unified. Through a series of uprisings and rebel alliances, Qin authority was overthrown in the year 206 BCE in the capital of Xianyang.
9. Joshua J. Mark, Ancient China, (New York, 2012)
HAN DYNASTY 206 BC-221 AD
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The resultant peace initiated by Liu-Bang brought the stability necessary for culture to again thrive and grow. China was divided into Western and Eastern periods. “The boundaries established by the Qin and maintained by the Han have more or less defined the nation of China up to the present day.”-10 Liu-Bang embraced Confucianism and made it the exclusive philosophy of the government, setting a pattern which would continue on to the present day. Even so, unlike Shi Huangdi, he practiced tolerance for all other philosophies and, as a result, literature and education flourished under his reign. He reduced taxes and disbanded his army who, nevertheless, rallied without delay when called upon. "Confucianism virtues are mentioned as having a role in maintaining an individual's equilibrium and general well-being."-11 Emperor Wudi further incorporated Confucianism as the official doctrine of the government. Schools were established throughout the empire to foster literacy and teach Confucian precepts.
10. W. Allyn Rickett, Philosophical Essays from Early China, (Princeton, New Jersey, 1998)
11. Department of Asian Art, Han Dynasty, (New York City, New York, 2000)
10. W. Allyn Rickett, Philosophical Essays from Early China, (Princeton, New Jersey, 1998)
11. Department of Asian Art, Han Dynasty, (New York City, New York, 2000)
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