Abstract This is a brief paper discussing the rise and fall of the QinDynasty. It looks at how Qin, the self-proclaimed first emperor was a brilliant militarist and an able politician who was a unifier of China and a tyrant. It also looks at how although Qin's efforts to unify China would bring many successes, his oppressive and cruel rule of the masses, his vanity and careless spending ultimately resulted in the downfall of his dynasty.
From the Paper "Qin, the self-proclaimed First Emperor was a brilliant militarist and an able politician who was a unifier of China and a tyrant. While Qin's efforts to unify China would bring many successes, his oppressive and cruel rule of the masses, his vanity and careless spending would ultimately resulted in the downfall of his Dynasty. By 221BC Qin Shihuang had brought to an end the Warring States Period with his formidable army and imposing belief in Legalism, a system based on the idea that "Man was born evil, and needed a system of rewards and strict punishments to keep him in line. (Wudi par. 3)""
Abstract This paper examines how Qin, China's First Emperor, is often credited with unifying a country divided and how history also recalls him as a brutal dictator whose heavy-handed tactics resulted in hundreds of thousand deaths, and perhaps, eventually his own sudden demise, destroying his 15-year rule. It also traces the accomplishments and failures of this short-lived dynasty.
From the Paper "Bolstered by both an organized military and an extreme system to control the populace based on negative and positive reinforcements (Legalism), Qin Shihuang successfully ended the Warring States Period in 221BC (Wudi par. 3). Following this, he proclaimed China united. However, while Qin, China's "First Emperor," is often credited with unifying a country divided, history also recalls him as a brutal dictator who's heavy-handed tactics resulted in hundreds of thousand deaths (Schirokauer, 51), and perhaps, eventually his own "sudden" demise, destroying his 15-year rule. "
Abstract This paper discusses the 3rd century BC QinDynasty that brought about China's unification under its first emperor. The paper further discusses how legalism was enforced in order to consolidate the seven rivals of the Warring States. Confucian scholars were persecuted and the Imperial Library burned in order to stamp out all who might question the approaches of the state.
From the Paper "The Qin Dynasty saw Chinese ideas of government move away from the inherited roles of feudalism towards a professional state bureaucracy. The reign of China's first emperor, Qin Shihuang (246-210 BC) offers an interesting aspect of China's longer history, as he managed China's first unification to end the Warring States period, bringing seven rival states were brought under Qin control. (Bodde, 1966) After such chaos, it was perhaps to be predicted that the emerging ruler would cling to authoritarian government, for fear of future upsets and disintegration. "
Abstract This paper studies four ancient dynasties in Chinese history, the Xia, Shang, Zhou and Qin and how they characterize the early beginnings of the culture of politics and society of China, as well as the literature, religion, philosophies and other intellectual and cultural developments that have become the foundations of the contemporary Chinese society. It analyzes the dynamics of these four dynasties and attempts to identify any trends of similarities and differences that emerged during the ancient Chinese civilization. It also develops the stance that the ancient Chinese dynasties have portrayed similarities in political systems and social norms in the society while there have been developments in the cultural system of the Chinese throughout history.
From the Paper "The political structure of the Zhou dynasty changed from being a feudal aristocracy into a bureaucratic government. Because of the division of political work in the governance of the dynasty, the Zhou tribe was able to develop different aspects that are significant to the improvement of human civilization. Although Zhou dynasty also subsisted to the ways and traditions of the Shang dynasty such as ?Oracle bone divination, bronze casting for sacrificial purposes and burying rites,? Zhou dynasty had developed a complex kind of culture, with the emergence of literature in the form of Confucianism's readings and teachings (Theobald 2000). Although Confucianism was already an established philosophical movement during the Shang dynasty, its teachings and philosophy became more popular during the Zhou dynasty."
Abstract This paper discusses the QinDynasty and how it ended the warring states period by using legalism to inflict a rule of law that forced the public to comply with Emperor Shihuangdi's agenda of public works and expansion. By saying the law was all that mattered, abuses were to be ignored, as they did not pertain to the ruler. The paper points out that the people knew Shihuang was a madman, however, because of his persecution of Confucian scholars, nobles, business people and everyone that questioned his rule. This caused his empire to collapse after his death and to be replaced by the Han Dynasty, which dispensed with enforced legalism.
From the Paper "The brief Qin Dynasty brought China's first consolidation and shifts towards a state bureaucracy at odds with the feudal order of old. Also, Qin Shihuang (246-210 BC) was the first to refer to himself as an emperor as opposed to ruler after he subdued the rivals of the Warring States period. Qin control depended on legalism and a tough centralized government that quickly rejected any other philosophy. As China would see again in her long history, a period of chaos gave way to a rigid Qin regime that tried to force straight much that had gone asunder (Bodde, 1966)."
Abstract This paper argues that although the Qindynasty did not last very long it provided the framework for all the other dynasties to follow until 1945.
From the Paper "China has a long history of dynasties and Emperors. Some of these dynasties and Emperors were very powerful, enduring and memorable. Others tended to be weak, short lived and forgettable. The first Emperor Qin Shihuang is a very controversial figure in Chinese history. On one hand he managed to unify China and create many long lasting monuments and institutions. On the other hand the dynasty that he founded was short lived and he made many enemies. It will be argued in this essay that Emperor Qin Shinhuang and his short-lived Qin dynasty managed to create institutions and monuments that lasted for thousands of years. "
Abstract The paper examines the film, "Hero," set in the Warring States period in China. The paper describes the Qin effort to unify the warring principalities that the character "Nameless" defeats, towards the rise of what came to be a Chinese nation-state. The paper highlights Chinese ideas of place and belonging, of how the world should be, the usual insignificance of persons and the strong chance of bad order as only the heroic can offset it and put in place new systems of order that will fit with both human need and the will of the cosmos.
Outline:
Introduction
A Southern Epic
Later, Historians and History
Qin Rule and Dissent
Conclusion - On Heroic and Other Myths
From the Paper "East Asian pre-modern ideas of time offer more than one conception of Time, and discussion of it, as evidenced in the 2002 film, Hero, set in the Warring States period. The principal character, "Nameless" is presented to the reader as not just a mercenary of the Qin state but as a kind of divine appointee. As an English subtitle explains "this land does not know a real hero - yet." (2004) All characters within this epic story seem to know they are part of a still unknown momentous outcome, part of a far longer epic of China's history, in the Qin effort to unify the warring principalities that Nameless defeats, one by one, towards the rise of what came to be a Chinese nation-state. Nameless, an orphan, had no family name to live up to, so devoted years to mastering the sword, aware of some particular purpose, a time in which he would serve a noble cause. Once competent, he presented himself to the Qin court with the swords of the Qin's adversaries. As Stephen Owen commented of very old Chinese ideas of the self and its purpose, "the ancients tell us that there are three kinds of achievement by which a person may hope to endure - moral power, deeds, and words." (p.72)"
Tags: body, space, time, bureaucracy, order, cosmos, Nameless
Abstract This paper examines the economy of the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE). It discusses its changes, successes, failures and the influence of Wang Anshi and his reforms. The paper also explores the factors that led to increased economic growth.
Tags: Song Dynasty, China, Northern Song, Southern Song, economics, Wang Anshi
This paper discusses the Taiping Rebellion in the mid-1800s, using Franz Michael's article "The Land System of the Heavenly Dynasty - The Taiping Rebellion: History and Documents".
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 2 sources, 2005, $ 62.95
Abstract This paper critiques Franz Michael's article titled "The Land System of the Heavenly Dynasty - The Taiping Rebellion: History and Documents, Volume 2: Documents and Comments" published in 1971 in Seattle and London by the University of Washington Press. In this article, the writer examines the causes for and development of the Taiping Rebellion in the mid 1800s.
From the Paper "On the heels of the Opium War and Unequal Treaties that weakened China from the outside in, the Taiping rebellion erupted (see Appendix A). According to some researchers, this revolt was one of the bloodiest civil wars in human history killing between twenty and forty million people (Roberts, para. 1963). Due to increased foreign trade, the displacement of traditional economy decreased income due to opium importation. The Qing dynasty was unsuccessful in curbing foreign influence on China, especially with the rising influence of Westernization."
Abstract This paper is a detailed comparison of the Roman Empire and the Chinese Empire. The author shows how the imperial dynasties of Han and Qin along with the classical empire of Rome offered their people a combination of protection against external enemies and an infrastructure that was far more functional than individual cities or regions would have been able to provide for themselves. This paper describes the reign of all three of these dynasties and their effect on their people as well as world history.
From the Paper "While it is difficult to make any general statement that can cover the political and cultural complexities of the Roman Empire along with the Han and Qin dynasties in China because they were sufficiently different from each other as well as being possessed of substantial internal diversity. And yet, even given the range of institutions and ideals that the three cultures exemplified, there are some commonalties that strike the observer from the vantage point of the 21st century. The primary one of these is that neither the Chinese empire nor the Roman one could have extended its reach as far as it did in geographic terms, had as great a control over its subjects' personal lives as it did, nor ruled for such a long period of time had not the ruling house combined a high degree of bureaucratic efficiency with a depiction of the imperial family that was at least semi-divine."
Abstract This paper examines how Confucianism is derived from the teachings of the philosopher K?ung Fu Tzu and has been embraced in various nations throughout history including Japan, Korea, and China. It looks at how China, in particular, has embraced Confucianism as a basis for governmental practices and societal morality. It discusses how Confucius had definite opinions about the way that government should be and how, during the Han dynasty, the works of Confucius were revived and canonized.
From the Paper "During the reign of Emperor Wudi a Confucian scholar named, Dong Zhongshu encouraged the emperor to create an academy that would educate government officials. At this academy the government officials learned the teachings of Confucius that were found within the Five Classics. ("Confucianism: Founded by K"ung Fu Tzu?) Ultimately these elite government officials embraced the ideologies of Confucius and Confucianism became the official doctrine of the dynasty. In addition, ?The works also formed the basis of later civil service examinations; candidates for responsible government positions received their appointments on the strength of their knowledge of classic literature. As a result, Confucianism secured a firm hold on Chinese intellectual and political life.?"
Abstract This paper explains that the Choson dynasty is marked by the creation of the Korean alphabetic script, the establishment of the yangban, a new aristocracy, and a shift to Confucianism. The author points out that during the Choson Dynasty, many events happened in the West: Columbus discovered America, the Protestant Reformation divided Europe, and modern nationalism resulted in powerful states like Germany, Italy, and Russia and the Industrial Revolution. The author believes that the Japanese domination changed the unique culture of Korea in many ways, basically robbing the people of the Choson Dynasty of their own ways.
From the Paper "In addition, the Korean people began to lose interest in the study of martial arts. The study of martial arts, including weapons, was banned to everyone but the military. The HwaRangDo, whose roots lay in the Buddhist teachings, eventually lost its importance among young people.
While Korea was under Japanese control, many things changed. All competitive sports and martial arts were forbidden. Only the military, which was now under Japanese control, could practice martial arts (Lancaster, 2002). SooBakGi was practiced secretly and soon changed its name again to SooBakDo. Japanese combat arts were first seen in Korea during this time. The people of Korea showed a great deal of interest in this type of fighting."
Abstract This paper discusses how the shortcomings of the Ming Dynasty cannot be blamed on the slave system of eunuchs, but rather on the dynasty itself. It explains how the eunuchs were the slaves of the emperor who carried out his designs and thus were victims in themselves. Though some rose to high power and wealth, most did not. It further discusses how more attention should be paid to the important role eunuchs played in keeping the dynasty alive for nearly three centuries, rather than why they brought the dynasty down.
From the Paper "Throughout ancient Greece, Rome, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia eunuchs have served a wide range of functions, from palace menials to imperial spies. The dynasties in China, in particular, have used eunuchs to perform various duties throughout their more than one thousand years of rule. The use of these castrati was so engrained in their cultural system that even after disloyal and ambitious eunuchs brought ends to the Han and Tang dynasties, the Chinese never abolished the practice. The Chinese emperors preferred eunuchs for several reasons. Men, especially after the dawn of Confucianism on Chinese society, expected from women their utmost purity and devotion. To adhere to these Confucian principles, Emperors originally employed eunuchs to oversee and manage the hundreds of imperial concubines, making certain no other men, even relatives, come in contact with them, assuring a pure lineage. Emperors also favored eunuchs because they, unable to have children, supposedly would not covet political power or wealth, which in turn they would pass on to their sons. Having no motive for wealth and no ambition for position, eunuchs would have no desire selling palace secrets or conniving with potential usurpers. Ideally the castrati would thus demonstrate absolute loyalty to his employer, the emperor."
This paper outlines Emperor Wen-ti's (581-604 C.E.) rise to power at the onset of the Sui dynasty in China beginning in 581 C.E. until its fall one emperor later in 617 C.E..
Abstract This paper explains that, after the period of dis-unification, Yan Chien proclaimed himself Emperor Wen-ti initiating the Sui dynasty, which was modeled after the earlier Han dynasty. The author points out that the Sui dynasty centralized Chinese power and returned an air of legitimacy to the imperial house; the principles of governance perfected during the Sui Dynasty remained ingrained in imperial China until its dissolution nearly 1,300 years later. The paper relates that Wen-ti chose to demolish the former capitol Ch'ang-an and rebuild it with the help of distinguished architect and engineer Yu-wen K'ai; Ch'ang-an would become not only the center of Chinese political thought but also the center of the Universe, presided over by the "Son of Heaven".
From the Paper "A man of great piety, Wen-ti actively nurtured the construction of Buddhist and Taoist temples and the recovering and re-copying of both religious and secular literature. To further the goals of unification Wen-ti issued decrees on the, "purification of Chinese literary style" (Wright 10). The Emperor offered charters to those willing to build Buddhist temples and both Wen-ti and his empress were to construct several, including one dedicated to her honor after her death in 603 CE. It is said that this temple was to house a tooth of the Buddha brought back by the pilgrim Fa-hsien from India in the fifth century (Wright 89). However pious, Wen-ti and his advisors also saw organized Buddhism as a force that needed constant monitoring in order to retain the Emperor's divine right of pronouncement on all matters of morality and public policy."
Abstract This paper compares the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty with respect to their leaders, demographics, and economies. The author discusses reasons for the decline of both empires. He further argues that the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty eventually fell as a result of dire leaders and rulers. Additionally, the author contends that economic problems were a factor in the decline of the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty as well.
From the Paper "The Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty were two of the largest and most powerful empires of ancient Europe and Asia, respectively. Yet the Han Dynasty lasted for about 400 years while the Roman Empire ruled for about 900 years. Both empires shared many similar and different qualities in their rise to power. However, both empires fell after time. The decline of the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty both varied with respect to its leaders and rulers, demography, and the economy. Although both empires were massive and powerful during the time, they both declined like all past empires."
