The Journey That Connected China with the Wider World The history of the Silk Road is closely connected with one extraordinary journey undertaken during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty. More than two thousand years ago, a Chinese diplomatic envoy travelled westward from the imperial territories into unfamiliar lands, crossing dangerous regions controlled by powerful nomadic groups and …
The Emperor Who Transformed Han China The Han dynasty began in 202 BCE under Liu Bang, known after his accession as Emperor Gaozu. Its early rulers concentrated on rebuilding the economy, restoring agricultural production, strengthening central authority, and preventing the political instability that had contributed to the collapse of the Qin dynasty. Their policies helped establish a relatively …
A New Empire Emerges from the Ashes of Qin The fall of the Qin dynasty in 206 BCE marked the end of China's first attempt to govern the entire country under a single centralized empire. Although Qin Shi Huang had unified the competing states and introduced a powerful administrative system, his dynasty did not survive long after his death. Harsh laws, heavy taxation, compulsory labour, military ca…
The Dynasty That Shaped Imperial China The collapse of the Qin dynasty in 206 BCE brought an end to China's first imperial experiment, but it did not bring an end to the idea of a unified Chinese empire. The political institutions established by Qin Shi Huang had transformed the country's administration, and the next generation of rulers inherited a foundation that would influence Chinese governm…
