Emperor Gaozu
Emperor Han Wudi (Liu Che)
Liu Che or Emperor Wudi or Wui was considered one of the greatest emperors in the Han dynasty, and he was responsible for setting Confucianism as the state religion (book pg. 172). He was influenced by the schools of Taoism and Confucianism, and by officials at the start of his reign. Changing foreign policy from the defensiveness of his predecessors, Wudi was aggressively offensive and he launched attacks on the northern frontiers to defeat the biggest threat of the Xiongnu and then expanded China greatly in all directions (Wudi). Wudi is responsible for sending Zhang Qian on the expedition that opened up the silk road to the Mediterranean (Liu Che). He made many economic reforms in his time such as changing the currency to the centralized wu coin, having the government monopolize the manufacturing and sales of iron and salt, conservation and treatment of the yellow river, all of which supported his expansion of land by providing the necessary funds and supplies (Liu Che). All his efforts strengthened the central government, allowing him to weaken the smaller kingdoms around China. Wudi made the selection, evaluation, and appointment of officials in government merit-based, making for a government of talented men. (Liu Che) During his last few years of life, Wudi had to face the debt caused by his aggressive wars, and his heir committed suicide after an uprising. Expecting his death, he made an eight-year-old boy the heir and had the mother imprisoned and caused her death in order to ensure the heir didn’t have domination by relatives. (Wudi) Being very ambitious and using strictness, Wudi expanded China tremendously and made many reforms to benefit the economy but faced by the stress caused by trying to expand, he had a progressively worse later life.
The Good
The Good
- Created stability with central government and expansion
- Encouraged intellect with officials of talent and merit
- Showed intellect with Daoism and Confucianism schooling
- Had vision by setting foundation for heir
- Spendings on conquest hurt economy and community
Emperor Liu Xiu
Emperor Liu Xiu or Han Guang Wu Di was responsible for reestablishing the Han dynasty and starting the Eastern or later Han dynasty after defeating the Xin dynasty with his army from his relations with the former Han founder Gaozu and wealthy landowners. After Liu Xiu had restored the Han dynasty, he suppressed many domestic rebellions such as the Red Eyebrows Revolt (Guangwudi). After so much destruction, Liu Xiu improved and rebuilt irrigation structures to promote agriculture, and he lowered the the taxes placed on peasants to rebuild the economy (Liu Xiu). Liu Xiu abolished many harsh laws and freed many slaves from Korea and Vietnam. He promoted scholarship and restricted the power of eunuchs and the imperial family to help future emperors (Liu Xiu). He defended the western and northern borders of china, launching campaigns on the Xiong Nu and Korean liberalists. He restored the Han dynasty and he reestablished the mandate of heaven, seizing control over China and stabilizing it (Liu Xiu).
The Good
The Good
- Created stability with the suppression of rebellion
- Helped farmers recover and improved agriculture for community
- Had vision by restricting powers of imperial family for future leaders
- Promoted scholarship and intellect
- Didn’t work hard; had a powerful family