The Eastern Han dynasty The Eastern Han dynasty began when the capital moved east. Many people had died in the rebellion, so peasants got more land and paid lower taxes. However, big landowners still took half the harvest and grew more powerful than the Han government. The Yellow Turbans and the fall of the Eastern Han By the middle of the second century CE, more peasant uprisings started. In 184 CE, the Yellow Turbans led a huge revolt. As the government weakened, warlords took control of local areas. They defeated the Yellow Turbans but then fought for the throne. By 220 CE, the Han dynasty ended, and China faced years of civil war.
7.8 SkillBuilder activity COMMUNICATING Peasants had overthrown the Qin dynasty and one of their leaders had started the Han dynasty and become the new emperor.
SOURCE4 From a Chinese scholar of the early second century BCE, in the Han-shu Han History
These days a family of ýve peasants will have at least two persons who are liable for labour-services and conscription. What with their ploughing in the spring and hoeing in the summer, harvesting in the autumn and storing in the winter, with felling ýrewood, repairing government ofýces and rendering labour-service . . . in none of the four seasons will they have a day of rest. And, in spite of all this painful toil, they will still have to endure such natural disasters as þood and drought and also the cruelty of an impatient government which imposes taxes . . . those who own something sell it off at half its price; and those who own nothing borrow at doubled rates of interest. It is for this reason that some dispose of their lands and houses, and sell their children and grandchildren to redeem their debts.
SOURCE5 From the statement of a Han dynasty ofýcial in 81 BCE
Those who live in . . . spreading mansions . . . know nothing of the discomforts of one-room huts and narrow hovels, of roofs that leak and þoors that sweat. Those with a hundred teams of horses . . . and wealth heaped in their storehouses . . . do not know the anxiety of facing days that have a beginning but no end.
Use evidence from SOURCES4 and 5 to argue that life didn’t change much for China’s peasants under the Han and Hsin dynasties. Begin by outlining: a. the social problems described in SOURCES4 and 5 b. the perspectives of these writers c. the speciýc evidence these sources provide for the peasants’ motives for rebellion against Han rule. Conclude by summarising your argument.
TOPIC7 Ancient China 213
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