Script: The Political Institutions and Legacy of the Han Dynasty
[Slide 1 – Title: The Han Dynasty: Power, System, and Decline]
Good morning everyone.
I. Political Institution and Central Government
Introduction
The Han Dynasty, which ruled China from 206 BCE to 220 CE.
It succeeded the short-lived Qin Dynasty and preceded the Three Kingdoms period.
The Han is often called China’s Golden Age, because it built a strong centralized government,
developed a flourishing economy, and shaped Chinese culture for centuries.
[Slide 2 – Centralized Imperial Autocracy]
The Han Dynasty inherited and refined the Qin’s centralized system.
At the top stood the Emperor, the absolute ruler who commanded the army, issued laws, and
oversaw all government functions.
Below him were the Three Excellencies, or San Gong, who managed different areas of
administration.
[Slide 3 – The Three Excellencies]
First was the Chancellor, who supervised the bureaucracy, taxation, and public order.
Second, the Grand Commandant, who directed military affairs and defense.
And third, the Imperial Counselor, who advised the emperor and monitored corruption.
Supporting them were the Nine Ministers, responsible for finance, justice, rituals, and other
state affairs.
Together, they formed the core of the Han central government, balancing power and
efficiency.
II. Local Administration
[Slide 4 – Commanderies and Counties]
The Han Empire was divided into commanderies (jun) and counties (xian).
This two-level administrative system allowed the court to manage its vast territory effectively.
[Slide 5 – Central Appointments and Control]
All local officials were appointed directly by the emperor, ensuring loyalty to the central
government rather than to regional lords.
This structure strengthened political centralization and unity across the empire.
III. The Han Military
[Slide 6 – Structure and Technology]
The Han military combined professional soldiers and conscripted farmers, organized into
infantry, cavalry, and chariot units.
They used iron weapons, advanced crossbows, and strong armor, giving them an edge in
battle.
[Slide 7 – Strategy and Generals]
Their main threat came from the Xiongnu nomads in the north.
To defend the borders, the Han extended the Great Wall and launched major campaigns led by
generals like Huo Qubing, Wei Qing, and Ban Chao, who expanded Han influence along the
Silk Road.
IV. Economy and Administration
[Slide 8 – Economic System]
The Han economy was mainly agrarian, with farmers forming the backbone of production,
taxation, and labor.
A unified currency, the wushu coin, promoted trade and stability.
The Silk Road became a vital route, connecting China to Central Asia and the Mediterranean.
[Slide 9 – Government Control and Labor]
The state controlled key industries such as iron and salt, ran government workshops, and
regulated grain prices.
Taxes were collected on land and property, and citizens performed corvée labor for public
works.
But as time passed, wealth inequality grew — powerful landowners gained control over vast
estates while peasants struggled, fueling future unrest.
V. Society and Beliefs
[Slide 10 – Confucian Society]
Confucianism became the dominant state ideology, shaping education and ethics.
• Daoism and Legalism still existed alongside it, influencing daily life and governance.
• Ancestor worship was an essential part of family and spiritual life.
V.1 Dominance of Confucianism and the Role of Family
[Slide 11 – Confucian Values and Family Order]
Under the Han, Confucianism became the foundation of social life and state governance.
The emperor was viewed as the “father” of the empire, while within each household, the father
or eldest male held supreme authority.
This patriarchal system reflected the Confucian idea that obedience and respect should flow
from the bottom up — from children to parents, and from subjects to ruler.
Education became a crucial value, especially for men.
V.2 Social Hierarchy – The Four Occupations
[Slide 12 – The Social Structure]
Han society followed a clear social hierarchy, often called the Four Occupations.
At the top were Scholars or Officials (Shi) — the educated elite who ran the government and
served as moral leaders.
Next were Farmers (Nong) — they produced food and were considered the economic
foundation of the empire.
Below them were Artisans and Craftsmen (Gong) — skilled workers who created tools, goods,
and art.
Then came Merchants and Traders (Shang) — although often wealthy, they ranked low
because they did not produce material goods, which Confucian ethics valued more highly than
profit.
At the very bottom were slaves (Nubi) — often war captives, criminals, or those sold into
servitude due to poverty.
VI. Decline and Fall
[Slide 13 – Causes of Collapse]
By the 2nd century CE, internal corruption and power struggles weakened the state.
Eunuchs and consort families competed for control of young emperors.
Heavy taxation and land concentration caused peasant revolts like the Yellow Turban
Rebellion.
(chuyển slide)
As authority collapsed, regional warlords such as Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao took power.
Natural disasters and invasions worsened the chaos.
Finally, in 220 CE, Cao Pi forced Emperor Xian to abdicate—officially ending the Han
Dynasty.
VII. The Aftermath
[Slide 14 – From Empire to Fragmentation]
The Han collapse led to centuries of war and division. China split into three states—Wei, Shu,
and Wu—each claiming the Han legacy but failing to reunify the empire. Amid famine and
chaos, new ideas and faiths like Daoism and Buddhism spread. Over 350 years later, the Sui
Dynasty restored unity, marking the Han’s fall as both an end and a renewal in China’s imperial
cycle.