Pre AP Compare and Contrast _ Qin vs. Han Dynasty

First Paragraph: Thesis

Although the Qin and Han Dynasty both strived for the unification of China through tactics such as assimilation and a centralized government, nevertheless the two dynasties had vastly different approaches in terms of their government philosophies, Legalism and Confucianism, and their leaders, such as Shi Huangdi and Liu Bang. The dynasties were similar because both unified China and its culture through programs of centralization and assimilation, the integration of people into a wider culture. However, while the Han Dynasty embraced Confucianism, the teaching's of Confucius, the Qin Dynasty followed Legalism philosophy. The two dynasties also differed because of their different leaders. Shi Huangdi was the only ruler of the Qin Dynasty and was known for his tyrannical and cruel nature. On the other hand, the Han Dynasty rulers, including Liu Bang, Empress Lü, and Wudi worked to maintain a centralized government with softer punishments.

First Paragraph: Contextualization

Between 475 BC and 221 BC, also known as "the time of warring states", the warlords of China were fighting to gain control over the empire. Traditional Chinese values had collapsed into chaos, arrogance and defiance. In 221 BC, the Qin Dynasty had developed its own government and was able to seize control over the other states and began to unify China. However, the dynasty was short lived. Upon the death of Shi Huangdi, the "first emperor" of the Qin Dynasty, a brief rebellion resulted in the Han Dynasty seizing power. Two emperors, Liu Bang and Xiang Yu fought for control over the throne. After the Battle of Giaxia, Liu Bang defeated Xiang You and became emperor.

Second Paragraph: Part I

Both the Qin Dynasty and the Han Dynasty worked to unify China. Shi Huangdi, the emperor of the Qin Dynasty, set uniform standards for Chinese writing, law, currency, weights and measurements, and even the length of cart axles. He began a program of centralization in which he employed a policy called "strengthening the trunk and weakening the branches". The policy stated that all noble families must live in the capital city in order for him to watch over them. It is said that the policy moved over 120,000 families from their homes. The emperor took their land and turned it into 36 administrative districts with Qin officials to control them. In addition to his policy, he also built a highway network over 4,000 miles long, effectively unifying China at the expense of human freedom. The unification of China is one of at the largest accomplishments of Shi Huangdi, and is one of his legacies that is still known today.

Third Paragraph: Part II

Han dynasty leaders originally kept a gentler form of Legalism, however, later relied on Confucianism philosophy to rule the empire. Rulers established a complex bureaucracy in which each level of officials had authority over the officials below them and the emperor had authority over all officials. Within the bureaucracy there were different ranks of civil service jobs in which civilians were chosen based on who is a "worthy Confucian" determined by a test of one's knowledge of Confucianism. Because of this, education was critical for career advancement in the Han Dynasty. These philosophies maintained importance throughout Chinese history. Confucius's teachings inspired others to do their best and follow moral values. He emphasized a code of politeness that is still used today.

Second Paragraph: Part II

The Han Dynasty also contributed to the unification of China. As the empire expanded its trade networks and its land through conquests, many different cultures were brought under Chinese rule. The government encourage assimilation in order to unify the empire. To do so, the government commanded farmers to live in newly conquered areas and intermarry with local peoples. The government also set up schools to train locals in Confucian philosophy. These important advancements were able to further unify China as a whole.

Fourth Paragraph: Part II

The Qin Dynasty declined after the death of Shi Huangdi. His son was not able to prevent peasants and others from rebelling against the government. In contrast, Liu Bang, the first emperor of the Han Dynasty, departed from Shi Huangdi's strict legalism in order to win popular support. He lowered taxes and softened harsh punishments to bring peace and stability back to China. Later, Empress Lü began to rule through his son and later her infant. Wudi, Lui Bang's great-grandson, took the throne and became known as the martial emperor because he expanded the Chinese empire through war. Wudi was the first emperor of the Han dynasty to favor his Confucian scholars as court advisers and began using the civil service system. The differences between the Qin and Han dynasties outweigh the similarities. However, both empires have proven to contain legacies that have had major impacts on Chinese culture.

Third Paragraph: Part I

The official belief system of the Han Dynasty was Confucianism, whereas the Qin Dynasty ruled through Legalism philosophies. Confucianism, a philosophy created by Confucius, was created based on the belief that people are naturally good, and they must focus on ways to improve their behavior. Legalism, on the other hand, was founded by Han Feizi and Li SI who believed that humans are naturally evil ad selfish, and rulers must enforce strict ruling to control them. Shi Huangdi employed these Legalist ideas to subdue the warring states. He stressed harsh punishments over rewards and controlled the ideas and actions of the people. With the help of his prime minister Li Su, a Legalist philosopher, he crushed internal resistance and silenced criticism of the government by murdering Confucian scholars and burning books that contained Confucianism philosophy. In the long term, Legalism philosophy's emphasis of laws and punishment ultimately strengthened Chinese favor of Confucianism and Confucian morals.

Fourth Paragraph: Part I

While the Qin Dynasty had only one emperor who assumed control over the entire empire, the Han Dynasty had several kinder leaders. Shi Huangdi established an autocracy, meaning a government in which the ruler has unlimited power and uses it in an arbitrary manner. He began his reign by attacking invaders and doubling China's size. Under his rule, irrigation projects increased and trade grew due to the highway network he built to unify China. The increase in trade allowed merchants to gain prominence. However, scholars disliked him for his book burning and poor people hated him because of the labor he forced upon them. Zhou rulers had built smaller walls to avert attackers. Shi Huangdi commanded peasants to work tirelessly on connecting the smaller walls in order to force attackers to travel around the wall to get in. Peasants were given a choice to work on the wall or die. However, many died due to the intensive labor or harsh winter winds. Later dynasties built on to The Great Wall of China making it a great source of protection that allowed the Chinese empire to survive. Despite the many deaths that occurred as a result of the building of the wall, the Great Wall of China is seen as one of the most remarkable architectural feats in history.