How did the Han government differ from the win government
The Han government differed from the Qin government in several key ways:
1. Governance: The Han dynasty adopted a centralized bureaucratic system, which was a departure from the Qin dynasty's highly centralized and autocratic system. The Han government relied on a Confucian philosophy of government that emphasized the importance of education, moral conduct, and benevolence.
2. Legalism vs. Confucianism: The Qin government followed the principles of Legalism, which advocated for strict laws, harsh punishments, and a strong central authority. In contrast, the Han government adopted Confucianism as its governing philosophy, which placed emphasis on education, self-discipline, and moral virtue to maintain social order.
3. Regional Administration: While the Qin dynasty divided China into 36 provinces, the Han dynasty divided the empire into more than 100 commanderies. These commanderies were assigned to trusted officials who had considerable autonomy in managing regional affairs.
4. Land Distribution: The Han government implemented policies to redistribute land, aiming to alleviate the concentration of land in the hands of the wealthy. These policies allowed commoners to own and cultivate lands, fostering social stability.
5. Civil Service Examinations: The Han dynasty introduced civil service examinations in order to select officials based on merit rather than birth status. This system allowed for a more educated and capable bureaucracy, encouraging social mobility and reducing corruption.
6. Cultural Policies: The Han dynasty promoted and supported the development of arts, literature, and philosophy. It valued intellectual pursuits and encouraged scholars to contribute to the overall well-being of society.
Overall, the Han government was more lenient, decentralized, and relied on Confucian principles compared to the autocratic and centralized Qin government.