The statement that best describes how the Han government differed from the Qin government is: The Han revived Confucian learning suppressed by the Qin.
To elaborate:
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Confucianism vs. Legalism: The Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) heavily favored Legalism, which emphasized strict laws and harsh punishments. In contrast, the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) promoted Confucianism, which emphasized moral integrity, social harmony, and the importance of education and family values. The Han's revival of Confucianism included the establishment of an imperial academy for training officials based on Confucian principles.
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Laws and Governance: The Han did not impose harsher laws than the Qin; in fact, they moderated the harshness of Qin’s laws, favoring a more benevolent approach to governance.
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Centralization: While both dynasties had centralized governments, the Qin's government was more rigidly centralized. The Han maintained central authority but also allowed for some degree of local governance and autonomy compared to the Qin.
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Trade: The Han actually encouraged trade and commerce more than the Qin, expanding trade routes and engaging in trade with regions such as Central Asia.
Overall, the Han Dynasty represented a significant shift in philosophy and governance from the Qin, particularly with the revival of Confucianism.