Download LOOKING AT THE DYNASTIC CYCLE USING THE HAN 1) Why did

LOOKING AT THE DYNASTIC CYCLE USING THE HAN
1) Why did the Qin Dynasty fall? How does it relate to the “mandate of heaven”?
The Qin Dynasty fell because of a combination of high taxes, harsh labor quotas, severe punishments, and a
series of extreme winters that caused peasants to rebel. This was seen as a sign the mandate of heaven was
lost and that rebellion was justified.
2) Describe the “rebellion and bloodshed” that occurs following the fall of the Qin Dynasty. Who emerges
as leader and why?
After the fall of the Qin Dynasty, many warlords attempted to regain territory they lost when Shi Huangdi
centralized China’s government. The two most powerful leaders were Liu Bang and Xiang Yu. Liu Bang wins
and declares himself emperor in 202 BCE. He was popular because of his promises to recentralize China’s
government.
3) How does the Han Dynasty establish order and peace? Why would people believe they had the
“mandate of heaven”?
The Han Dynasty established order and peace by destroying the power of rival warlords, setting up a
centralized government which ruled over smaller provincial governments, lowering taxes, and softening
punishments. This created peace and stability which was taken as a sign the government had the mandate
of heaven.
4) How long does this period of peace and prosperity last?
This period of peace and prosperity lasted from 202 BCE to 32 BCE when peasant revolts and civil war began
to break out.
5) What kind of corruption or unfairness weakens the Han Dynasty?
The Han Dynasty was weakened by a series of economic issues, including a widening gap between rich and
poor and a loss of tax revenue from the rich gaining land from the poor. They were weakened further by
constant raids from the Xiongnu, natural disasters (mainly floods), and political chaos, where emperors were
being heavily influenced by rich nobles.
6) How does the “Former Han” or Early Han Dynasty fall? What happens to the Later Han and why do
they fall?
The Former Han dynasty falls when Wang Mang, a scholar who was working for the emperor, takes power as a
result of his belief that the Han Dynasty has lost the mandate of heaven.
Though the Later Han returns to prosperity following Wang Mang’s death, it ends up facing the same
problems and disintegrates into smaller kingdoms by 220 CE.