Qin and Han Dynasty

The Qin and Han Dynasty Around the time of 221 B.C – A.D. 220, China had two dynasties that made many important contributions to the country. They were one of the first dynasties in Chinese history. These dynasties were three Han dynasty and the Qin dynasty. They had many similarities and differences during their ruling periods. Qin Shihuangdi founded the Qin Dynasty in 221 B.C. The dynasty’s rule was based on Legalism. It strengthened central government and unified China. Qin created a currency that was used throughout the empire. He forced farmers to leave their fields to help build and strengthen a wall that protected the empire. That wall is now known as The Great Wall of China (a rebuilt version). Qin was a cruel leader. He reduced aristocrat’s power and burned scholar’s writings. Once he died in 210 B.C, a new dynasty named the Han arose. Liu Bang founded the Han Dynasty in 202 B.C. He then renamed himself Han Gaozu. The empire had harsh policies. Han Wudi helped the dynasty reach its peak. He created the government’s civil service examinations. Under Han Gaozu’s rule, the population was about 20 million but under Han Wudi’s rule, it has raised to about 60 million. Over time, farmers started losing land. The result was that farmers sold their land and became tenant farmers. The Han’s army added landed to the south and pushed the border westward. The dynasty was at peace for about 150 years. Chinese art and literature also started to sprout. This led to the inventions of steel, paper, acupuncture, the waterwheel, and advanced sea trade. As trade opened to the Han and all of China, Han sent Zhang Qian to explore the areas west of China and as a result, he discovered the Silk Road. The Qin and Han dynasty both divided their empire into provinces and counties. They unified China and established a centralized empire. Their armies and government were very similar. Both their leaders were cruel and threw harsh laws at their people. They ruled in the same area but at different times. Their empire both had The Great Wall of China but the Han Dynasty had a larger one because they expanded the one that the Qin left behind. Their empires also achieved many accomplishments, which includes inventions. In conclusion, these two empires improved life for all Chinese. They helped shape the country we now know today. They both influenced many of the empires ahead of them and invented many important things we need today in everyday life.