The Collapse of the Han Empire

By: Spencer Cattalani, Jordan Freed, Jackie Giacovelli, Jaylon Mull

Aging of the Han Dynasty

As the Dynasty aged, it began to decline.

The Court took away the power of emperors who could no longer control warlords.

Weak emperors let canals and roads deteriorate.

The Han Emperors started to become selfish.

Late Han Emperors kept dying without a clear heir to the throne› People in the court ordered the

assassinations of the Emperors. Many natural disasters occurred so

people thought that the gods were angry.

Revolting Peasants

Peasants revolted due to the heavy taxes and crushing debts.

Thousands of rebellious peasants left their villages and fled to the mountains.

They created secret groups of bandits known by names such as “Red Eyebrows” and “The Green Woodsmen”

The peasants hid from the tax collectors.› Because of this the government was short

on money.

The Yellow Turban Rebellion

It lasted from 184 – 205 A.D. Under the rule of Emperor Ling Zhang Jue led a Taoist sect and thought

the Han Dynasty had lost the Mandate of Heaven.

His followers put on yellow turbans and started a rebellion.

The government soon discovered the plan for this rebellion.

The top leaders died early on.

Smaller groups of Yellow Turbans continued to fight and expose the weakness of the central government.

This led to the rise in power of the warlords.

Overthrowing of the Han Empire

In 220 A.D. ambitious warlords overthrew the last Han emperor.

After 400 years of unity, China was divided into several kingdoms.

After the division invaders came over the great wall and founded their own states.

During these times, many newcomers were absorbed into Chinese Civilizations.

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Szczepanski, Kallie. “Why Did Han China Collapse.” asianhistory.about.com/od/ancientchina/f/why-did-

han- china-collapse.htm. About.com, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.

Szczepanski, Kallie. “The Yellow Turban Rebellion in China.”Asianhistory.about.com/od/ancientchina/fl/the-yellow-turban-rebellion-in-china-184-205-ce.htm. About.com, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.