The Han Empire: Rise, Fall, and Legacy

Overview

• The Han Empire was the longest-lasting imperial dynasty in unified China.
• Briefly interrupted by the Red Eyebrow Rebellion, divided into Former and Later Han or Eastern and Western Han based on capital locations.
• The name 'China' is derived from the Qin Dynasty, which briefly unified warring states before the Han's rise.

Ethnic Han and Liu Bang

• 90% of China's population today identify as ethnic Han, named after the Han Dynasty.
• Liu Bang, the founder, born into poverty, had various careers: sheriff, bandit, general, and emperor.
• First major turning point: freeing convicts, forming a bandit group.

Qin Dynasty Collapse

• Triggered by Emperor Qin Shi Huang's death, succeeded by Er Shi under the control of Zhao Gao.
• Zhao Gao's oppressive rule led to revolts, including Liu Bang joining Xiang Yu's rebel army.

Rise of Liu Bang

• Xiang Yu defeated the Qin; Liu Bang took the capital.
• Liu Bang became King of Han, known for mercy to the defeated.
• Conflict with Xiang Yu led to Liu Bang's victory and establishment of the Han Dynasty by 202 BC.

Reign of Emperor Gao Di (Liu Bang)

• Focused on internal stability, peace, and prosperity.
• Lowered taxes and freed many slaves.
• Promoted common people in government through early civil service reforms.
• Made peace with the Xiongnu Confederation.

Expansion and Challenges

• Under Emperor Wu, Han expanded north and south but depleted the treasury.
• Internal threat from in-law families leading to palace intrigue and civil war.

Wang Meng's Qin Dynasty and Red Eyebrow Rebellion

• Wang Meng's reforms faced resistance, leading to rebellion.
• The Red Eyebrows rose as a formidable faction but lost support over time.
• Liu Xu (Guangwu Di) restored the Han by defeating rival claimants and enacted land reforms.

Second Golden Age

• Military success and economic boom under the Han resurgence.
• Han inventions, such as paper, facilitated trade and bureaucracy.
• Civil service increased in power over time.

Decline of the Han Dynasty

• By late second century, emperors became puppets of the civil servant class.
• Yellow Turban Rebellion highlighted bureaucratic inefficiencies.
• Nobility became independent warlords during the rebellion's defeat.

End of the Han Dynasty

• Three kingdoms emerged from warlords' conflicts.
• In 220, the last Han emperor was dethroned, marking the dynasty's end.

Reflections

• Meritocracy and corruption were key factors in the rise and fall of the Han Empire.
• The Han Dynasty's legacy remains integral to China's identity and history.