Qin & Han China:

1. How did the Qin emperor foster political centralization after the Warring States Period?

Qin divided the landed estates among Chinese peasants and used the taxes they paid for state revenue. He also had feudal lords send hostages to the capital city so that they would be under his control. He nationalized much of the commerce and manufacturing in China and taxed those merchants who he thought were ignoble. On top of that, he standardized the monetary system and the writing system, pushed China's Southern border into Vietnam and sponsored the building of roads throughout China.

2. How did the Qin emperor subvert the authority of the Chinese aristocracy?

He appointed all of his provincial officials, instead of allowing these statuses to be hereditary. This allowed him to fire those officials who did not please him. He also set up a ministry called the Censorate, where officials' effectiveness and loyalty were judged. They were executed if they were found to be disloyal or corrupt.

3. What was Chinese society like during the Qin and Han Dynasties?

Family played a big role in structuring and ordering society. Everyone had to follow the “5 relationships”: sons deferred to their fathers, wives deferred to their husbands, younger brothers deferred to elder brothers, everyone deferred to the emperor, and friends were mutually respectful of one another. Everyone had to act in accordance with their place in the hierarchy, be obedient and work hard. Women did not have any authority, could not own any property, and even mothers had to submit to their sons. Qin tried to break down the primacy of family but was unsuccessful, and it lasted into the Han Dynasty.

4. What significant practice did the Han Dynasty adopt?

They adopted the civil service exam, which was used to select governmental officials, rather than basing on aristocratic birth.

5. How did the Han Dynasty encourage the extension of Chinese commerce?

The Han Dynasty extended Chinese borders into Vietnam and Central Asia

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