Ancient &
Classical China
#Qinning
A political & social
construct.
• Education for the people is
positively harmful; teach the
peasants only to grow food and fight.
Legalism: antithesis of
Confucianism
Procure wealth, secure military power, control
the population!
Standardized weights & measures
Standardized coinage & Chinese script
Made China a police state!
• Decline of the Han began towards the end of the 1st century.
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Land barons began controlling segments of the population
Daoist cults became more popular, undermining Confucianism
Han royal court was in turmoil, family fighting family for control
The Han civil service began accepting men based on cash
payments, favor, and personal connections rather than merit
• Two epidemics: 173 & 179 CE, floods, & locust infestations were
seen as the Han losing the Mandate of Heaven.
• Left China in political chaos that lasted for over 350 years until
the Sui Dynasty (581-618 CE) reunified China.
Downfall of the Han