Opinion / Editorial

The Switch

The Han Dynasty is formally separated into two parts, the Western Han and the Eastern Han. The change between the two in 9-25 A.D. (which was interrupted by the Xin dynasty) was the worst change to Chinese civilizations in history.

"The Western Han was regarded as the first unified and powerful empire in Chinese history. Lasting from 206 BC to 24 AD, it was established by Liu Bang." "The dynasty based on a series of political and economic reforms, was ruled by 12 emperors in succession enjoying peace and prosperity" (Western Han).

 The time of the Western Han was were culture and religion prospered while ideas flourished and new inventions came out every day. The Western Han was the greatest time in Chinese history between the land expansion of China and the creation of the Silk Road.

The exchange between the Western and Eastern Han times were a terrible time. Although life had not changed for the people, different ideas arose and other ideas were lost in the distance.

"After the middle period of the Eastern Han, most of the emperors were juveniles and the real royal power was held by both distant relatives and eunuchs. This caused darkness and corruption in the later period when farmers all over the country launched rebellions against their rulers" (Eastern Han). The Western Han had no bad emperors and they all helped the cause to support the way of peace and prosperity through ideas.

"The most prosperous period of Eastern Han was the middle period of the first century. After the reigns of Emperors Guangwu, Ming and Zhang, the Han Dynasty regained its prosperity. Overall, its economical, scientific and cultural development surpassed that of the Western Han" (Eastern Han). During the middle period of the Eastern Han, it was a time of peace with others and prosperity of knowledge. Stupid mistakes by selfish rulers and stronger opponents though brought the Eastern Han to its knees though. The Western Han is the most important time in Chinese history and the transfer between times was the worst decision in Chinese civilizations.