Han Dynasty Flashcards
How many years did the Han dynasty last?
Around 400 years (200 BCE - 200)
Why did the Han Dynasty last that long?
They were well balanced; Kept order when people didn’t listen to them; Society flourished
Who was the great ruler of the Han Dynasty and what did he do?
Emperor Wu / Wu Di - Only great ruler in the Han Dynasty who developed an efficient bureaucracy for the rest of the Han Dynasty (Other mediocre rulers just sat there and let the bureaucracy do their work)
How did Wu Di chose who should work in the bureaucracy?
He had a system where contestants have to take multiple tests to prove that they actually know what they’re doing - From that, Wu would choose the best / most talented person in that field.
Why was the government of the Han Dynasty still so strong despite mediocre rulers?
Because all the talented people worked for the government, even artists and poetists.
Why was the government of the Han Dynasty strong in general?
They developed a system where they incorporated almost all of the major religions / beliefs in China and modified them so that it was effective as well as accepted by everyone in the country
How did the Han Dynasty incorporate other religions/beliefs into their government?
They combined the strict laws of Legalism, the Mandate of Heaven and Te from Confucianism, and the easiest path to rule from Daoism to form a government where there are Civil Service, Loyalty, and didn’t force the people as much as Qin.
Civil Service, Loyalty
The government had civil service exams which allowed them to find the most talented candidate for the bureaucracy; The government also had to appear Te (Moral) so that people will follow them
How did the Han Dynasty incorporate other religions/beliefs into their military?
They basically used the same military style as Legalism, where they had large armies led by Wu Di
How did the Han Dynasty incorporate other religions/beliefs into their economy?
They combined how the government can control most trade items from Legalism and how farmers should be the main support of economy from Confucianism and formed Leveling
Leveling
When the government keeps the price of food level stable - When there is too much food being produced, the government buys the food from the farmers so that when a natural disaster strikes and the food level drops, the government will have enough food to support its people
What does leveling achieve for the government?
It makes the government appears Te (Moral in Power) - Like how the government has a good moral character and takes care of the ordinary people; The government doesn’t have to actually care but just appears to be/no one suffered
How did the Han Dynasty incorporate other religions/beliefs into their spirituality?
Similar to Confucianism where people looked to their past/ancestors for guidance instead of the future
How did the Han Dynasty incorporate other religions/beliefs into their art and culture?
They combined the poetry and artist skills from Daoism and Buddhism; Education of valued palace schools - Idea came from the combination of Legalism and Confucianism
What is it called when the Han Dynasty incorporate ideas from both Legalism and Confucianism?
Imperial Confucianism
