Map Description

The Western Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 9 CE), also known as the Former Han, together with the Eastern Han (Later Han) constitutes the Han Dynasty. It was a powerful and unified feudal dynasty in ancient China that succeeded the Qin Dynasty. On February 28, 202 BCE, Liu Bang declared himself emperor, establishing the Han Dynasty, historically known as the Western Han.

Initial Establishment and Consolidation of Power
After defeating Xiang Yu in the Chu-Han Contention, Liu Bang established the Western Han Dynasty in 202 BCE, initially setting the capital at Luoyang before moving it to Chang'an. The early Han implemented a "Recovery and Rest" policy, reducing taxes (initially 1/15 of the harvest, later 1/30) and restoring agricultural production, a period historically termed the "Rule of Wen and Jing." During this time, central authority was gradually consolidated through measures like lightening corvée labor and taxes, and weakening the power of the feudal princes.

Strengthening of Central Authority
During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han (141–87 BCE), reforms were implemented:
- Political: Issued the "Decree of Favor" to weaken the feudal princes and established the "Inner Court" to enhance the emperor's decision-making efficiency.
- Economic: Instituted state monopolies on salt and iron, and standardized currency and measurements.
- Ideological: Adopted Dong Zhongshu's policy of "Dismissing the Hundred Schools, Reverencing Only Confucianism," establishing Confucianism as the official state philosophy.
- Military: Launched campaigns against the Xiongnu in the north, expanded into the Western Regions (dispatching Zhang Qian as envoy), and opened the Silk Road.

Prosperity and Crisis
The late reign of Emperor Wu saw intensified social contradictions due to overexpansion, leading to issues like land annexation and peasant uprisings. The "Zhao-Xuan Restoration" (73–48 BCE) revived national strength through administrative reforms and reduced burdens, but failed to resolve the underlying conflicts completely.

Decline and End
In the late Western Han period, interference by powerful maternal relatives, severe land annexation, and social turmoil intensified. In 8 CE, Wang Mang usurped the throne and established the "Xin Dynasty," marking the end of the Western Han. Liu Xiu later reestablished the Han Dynasty, known historically as the Eastern Han.

Legend

The Online Historical Map of the Western Han Dynasty in China includes the following legend items: * Western Han Capital — Chang'an * Commandery-level Seat — Xihe Commandery * Other Settlements — Yangguan * Political/Tribal Boundaries * Provincial-level Administrative Boundaries * Present-day National Borders * Present-day National Capital — Beijing * Location of People's Government of Present-day Municipality, Province, Autonomous Region — Shanghai * Location of Present-day Municipal People's Government — Dandong * Present-day Other Settlements — Mohe

Map Source

Online Historical Map of the Western Han Dynasty in China is sourced from The Historical Atlas of China, Volume 2(2)—Maps of the Western Han Dynasty, published by SinoMaps Press on October 1, 1982, with Tan Qixiang as its author.

The Historical Atlas of China is an atlas focusing primarily on the historical administrative divisions and territories of China throughout its dynasties, compiled under the chief editorship of Tan Qixiang. The entire work spans from the primitive society to the end of the Qing dynasty, organized into 8 volumes and 20 sections according to historical periods, containing a total of 304 maps (not including illustrations). All maps juxtapose historical and modern geography. The compilation of this atlas began in the 1950s, it was seriously disturbed during the cultural revolution. The internal edition was published in 1975 but contained numerous errors. Publication of Volumes 1-8 occurred successively starting in 1982. The Historical Atlas of China is a rare and valuable resource for studying the historical administrative divisions of China.

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