Factors that Lead to the Fall
COLLAPSED MAINLY DUE TO INTERNAL ISSUES THE RULERS COULD NOT SOLVE.
Development of Factions (Ruling Elites)
ANALYSIS: These power-hungry elite were probably so focused on gaining more influence and maintaining power that the prevailing issues of their time remained unaddressed and unsolved. This was likely a large contributing factor to the peasant's unrest--because all the issues they had (like the increasing taxes for the poor and development of many private armies), were ignored.
Development of Factions (Ruling Elites)
- Imperial/aristocratic marriage alliances---> form factions whose members wanting to improve standing in imperial gov’t and prevent others from doing same
- Led to constant infighting/backstabbing among ruling elites---> reduced effectiveness of central gov’t
ANALYSIS: These power-hungry elite were probably so focused on gaining more influence and maintaining power that the prevailing issues of their time remained unaddressed and unsolved. This was likely a large contributing factor to the peasant's unrest--because all the issues they had (like the increasing taxes for the poor and development of many private armies), were ignored.
Land Distribution
- During last 2 centuries of Han dynasty, large landowners gained new influence in gov’t
- Reduced their share of taxes and put burden onto peasants
- Formed private armies for personal gain
These Developments Provoked Widespread Unrest.
Timeline:
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