Origins and Establishment of the Han Dynasty

Summary

The Han Dynasty arose after the collapse of the Qin Dynasty, whose harsh centralized rule broke down following the death of Qin Shi Huang. China fragmented into rival states during the Chu–Han Contention (206–202 BC), primarily contested by Xiang Yu of Chu and Liu Bang, a former rebel leader associated with Han. Liu Bang defeated Xiang Yu at the Battle of Gaixia in 202 BC and established himself as Emperor Gaozu, founding the Han Dynasty. He selected Chang'an as the capital of the newly reunified empire. The dynasty’s name derived from Liu Bang’s earlier fief of Hanzhong, which had been granted to him after the Qin collapse and was named for its location near the Han River. In its early years, the Western Han government combined centralized administration with semi-autonomous kingdoms granted to influential commanders and members of the imperial Liu family. Because non-relative rulers repeatedly rebelled, later emperors gradually reduced the kingdoms’ authority and expanded direct central control. The Han tradition was briefly interrupted by Wang Mang’s Xin Dynasty from 9 to 23 AD, but Liu Xiu restored Han rule in 25 AD as Emperor Guangwu, beginning the Eastern Han period and moving the capital to Luoyang.

Key Points

• 1

  The Han Dynasty emerged after the Qin Dynasty collapsed and China entered the Chu–Han Contention.

• 2

  Liu Bang defeated Xiang Yu at Gaixia in 202 BC, became Emperor Gaozu, and founded the Han Dynasty.

• 3

  The dynasty was named after Liu Bang’s former fief of Hanzhong, associated with the Han River.

• 4

  Early Han rule balanced central commanderies with semi-autonomous kingdoms, whose power was later restricted.

• 5

  The Han was restored in 25 AD by Liu Xiu, Emperor Guangwu, after the interruption of Wang Mang’s Xin Dynasty.