On The Political Situation Of Middle And Later Stages In The Western Han Dynasty

The political situation of middle and later stages in the Western I-Ian dynasty is not only one of the important questions, but also a relatively weak link in the field of the political history of Han dynasty. This dissertation studies the political situation at that time carefully, basing on achievements of former scholars and making use of materials of wooden tablets and bamboo slips. The dissertation consists of five chapters. The first chapter studies the reasons and the influence of the Case of Witchcraft on reign in the period of Chao-ti and Hsuan-ti. In my opinion, the Case of Witchcraft was the outcome of the inside contradiction and struggle of the dominant class. The death of the heir apparent Liu Chu led to a series of events later, such that Wu-ti had to hand out the throne to the youngest son, which created chances for Huo Kuang to master power and Wu-ti抯 several sons to struggle for the throne and especially Hsuan-ti to strengthen emperor抯 authority to uproot the Huo family under the pretext of exonerating for his grandfather. At the same time, this chapter researches some other questions about the validity and the influence of Wu-ti抯 last decree on the politics of Chao-ti, and Wu-ti committing his youngest son to Huo Kuang, Shang-kuan Chieh, Chin Mi-ti, Sang Hung-yang, T抜an Ch抜en-ch抜u etc. when he is dying. The second chapter studies the relation between the prophesy of 揋ong-sun Bing-i was sited?and the situation of Chao-ti抯 reign. This chapter points out the reign of Chao-ti praised by historians was not peaceful but full of struggle among Chao-ti, Huo Kuang, kings and the survivals of the Wei family, which connected with some important political events of Chao-ti, through analyzing the appearance of the prophesy. This chapter also researches the reasons that the king of Chang-i was thrown from the throne. The third chapter tells how Hsuan-ti carried Out all kinds of political steps to achieve his reign. The author thinks the aim that Hsuan-ti gradually got rid of the control of the Huo family, comforted kings and developed his o~i power was to enhance Emperor抯 authority and change the political situation which the power of Emperor is weak but that of officials is strong after Wu-ti. This chapter also studies the document written in wooden tablets, which named The Document of Ch抏ng-hsiang(Chancellor) and Yu-shih(Imperial Counselor) in the Second Year of (Jan-lu, and the question about the origin of Huo Shan and l-luo Yun. The forth chapter chiefly researches the variation of rule of Hsuan-ti and Yuan-ti and rise of relatives of imperial consorts. The author thinks attitudes of Wu-ti, Hsuan-ti and Yuan-ti to Confucianism were different. After Yuan-ti, the power of Confucian scholars occupied a dominant position, which meant the politics of the Western Han dynasty was weaker and weaker. The fifth chapter studies the expansion of the Wang family and reasons that Wang Mang usurped the Western Han dynasty and points out that the Wang family could win at last in the struggle with other relatives of imperial consorts chiefly connected with the Wang family抯 admiring Confucianism. That Wang Mang took place of the Western Han dynasty was not resulted in by ambition of Wang Mang but the rule of Confucian scholars.