The correct response is:
Both the Qin and Han had a strong central government, but the Han used a civil service system and the Qin did not.
Similarities:
- Both the Qin and Han dynasties were ruled by powerful emperors.
- Both empires implemented centralized governance.
Differences:
- The Qin dynasty was marked by strict legalism, while the Han dynasty incorporated Confucian principles alongside their legalist governance.
- The Qin did not develop a civil service system, whereas the Han established a merit-based civil service that utilized examinations to select officials.
- The Han dynasty experienced significant economic benefits from trade along the Silk Road, while the Qin had just begun to focus on these trade routes toward the end of its rule.
This distinction showcases both the continuities and changes between the two dynasties in terms of governance, ideology, and economic practices.