Han Dynasty Essay

The Han Dynasty was established in 202 B.C. and lasted until A.D. 220. It was one of the longest lasting Chinese dynasties, the population tripled, and China’s borders were greatly expanded. Because of this, it is considered the “Golden Age” of China’s history. The first ruler discarded most of the harsh Qin policies, but kept the law that states rulers were chosen based on merit, and not on birth. Education was important, and students learned the teachings of Confucius. Iron casting led to the invention of steel, and paper was developed. Trade grew and spread with the perfection of ships. Farmer’s taxes went up, and land allotments went down, causing most of the land to fall back into the hands of the aristocrats. By A.D. 170, war, peasant uprisings, and the decline of the government’s power caused the collapse of the Han Dynasty. China once …show more content…
While the Han’s focused on education, the Aryan’s focused on war, and building up their army. The Aryan’s also enforced the Caste System, which excluded and put apart many people. The Han Dynasty, on the contrary, focused on including everyone, or at least giving them a fair chance at making a better life for themselves. The Qin Dynasty of China also focused on building their army, training their male children from an early age. Once again, the Han focused on education of the young. Also, the Qin practiced Legalism, harshly punishing any opposers. That made their society even more destructive and unethical, compared to the economical Han Dynasty. China had three main philosophical beliefs: Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism. Daoism was a contemporary of Confucianism, while Legalism was a totally different institution. Confucianism stated that you earned things through hard work; Daoism said you should follow the will of Heaven by not action, but inaction; Legalism said that people were naturally evil, and needed a strong leader to convert