Characteristics of ancient Chinese political system

1. The political system of the Shang and Zhou dynasties

1. The political system of the Shang Dynasty: the central government: prime ministers and ministers (participating in the decision-making of the king of Shang); divination, Zhu and Shi (responsible for offering sacrifices, divination and recording dynasty events); division (in charge of military power). Place: Hou, Bo.

2. The enfeoffment system of the Western Zhou Dynasty:

(1) Purpose: In order to strengthen regional rule, the king of Zhou "screened the Zhou Dynasty with vassal vassals".

(2) Measures: The king of Zhou assigned clan in-laws to various places to "grant land" and "grant people" to build the country. The feudal state bears tribute, military, labor and other obligations. The feudal states included seven states: Lu, Qi, Yan, Wei, Song, and Jin. The hierarchical sequence of "King of Zhou - princes - ministers, officials - scholars" was formed. (3) Function: The king of Zhou achieved the status of "the most powerful person in the world", and the enfeoffment system consolidated his rule and expanded his ruled area.

3． The patriarchal system of the Western Zhou Dynasty: it was a tool to maintain the feudal system. The patriarchal system is a system in ancient China that maintains the hereditary rule of nobles. It combines blood ties with political relations.

(1) Purpose: Stabilize the ruling order and resolve internal conflicts among the nobility.

(2) Content: eldest son inheritance system, "Shiqing Shilu" system, patriarchal patriarchal system, etc., large and small sects. Function: Maintained family hierarchical relationships and political affiliations; guaranteed the privileges of the nobles "Shiqing Shilu"; prevented internal disputes within the family, strengthened the royal power, and closely integrated the "country" and "family".

(3) Characteristics of the patriarchal system: ①The biggest characteristic is the eldest son inheritance system; it combines blood ties with political relations (the patriarchal system and the feudal system are mutually exclusive, and the patriarchal system has the internal and external aspects of the political system) The embodiment is the enfeoffment system), where "family" and "country" are closely integrated; ② It ensures that nobles at all levels enjoy the privileges of "the world's nobles and the world's wealth", and the hierarchy is strict.

(4) Function: It is conducive to the stability and unity within the ruling group and strengthens the royal power.

4. Zhou Rites: The Western Zhou Dynasty maintained the ritual and music system of patriarchal clan system and feudal system. There are strict rules on class etiquette and no "transgression" is allowed. (Dinghe Chimes)

5. Characteristics of China's early political system: Both the patriarchal system and the feudal system had strong blood relationships and a strong autocratic flavor.

2. The formation of the centralized system of Qin Dynasty

1. The establishment of Qin: From 230 BC to 221 BC, King Qin Yingzheng destroyed the six kingdoms of Han, Zhao, Wei, Chu, Yan, and Qi, and established the Qin Dynasty.

2. "The First Emperor" and the Three Gongs and Nine Qings

(1) The origin of the "First Emperor": After King Qin Yingzheng unified the world, he believed that he had "high virtues, three emperors, and more merits than the five emperors", and regarded the "emperor" as his own name. Ying Zheng declared himself the "First Emperor" and believed that "the descendants should be counted, and the second and third generations will be counted for all generations, and their inheritance will be endless."

Emperor system: the supremacy of imperial power; all the power of the country, namely judicial, legislative, administrative, military and other powers are concentrated in the hands of the emperor; the succession system of the throne of "family and world" is established. ——The authoritarian system of centralized power with a high degree of imperial power was established.

(2) Three Gongs and Nine Ministers System (a relatively complete central official system): The three Gongs refer to the Prime Minister (assist the emperor in handling national government affairs), the Yushi Dafu (in charge of laws, books, and supervision of officials), the Taifu Wei (assist the emperor in managing military affairs); Jiuqing refers to many important official positions in the central government under the three princes. The three ministers and nine ministers were directly managed by the emperor; they assisted in handling military, political and financial affairs; they were not subordinate to each other and restrained each other; it facilitated the emperor's centralization of power.

3． Abolition of enfeoffment and establishment of counties and counties (full implementation of the county and county system)

(1) Establishment of the county and county system: In the Qin Dynasty, local counties were established (the highest level of local administrative agencies below the central government. Initially in 36 The county later increased to more than 40 counties.), counties (the lower-level administrative agencies of the county. The main task of the county chief is to govern the people, manage finance, justice, prison litigation and military service.), rural institutions; the chief is appointed by the emperor; the election begins The official examiner system.

(2) Qin’s measures to consolidate unification: attack the Xiongnu in the north, immigrate to Hetao, build the Great Wall, and pacify the Yue people in the south. Build post roads; unify writing; ("cars on the same track, books on the same text") unify weights and measures, currency and carriage tracks; formulate Qin laws.

(3) Stage characteristics of the pre-Qin political system:

The Western Zhou Dynasty attached great importance to the construction of national institutions, and the "Zhou Rites" system including the patriarchal system, the feudal system, the well-field system, and the official system were established establish. This is an era of declining divine power, strengthening royal power, and rising humanistic spirit. The reform movement of the Warring States Period destroyed the aristocratic hierarchical society and created a series of new systems. Monarchy, bureaucracy, county systems, etc. emerged one after another, which had a profound impact on subsequent history.

The Qin Dynasty established a centralized government system with the emperor as the center, and the system of prefectures and counties was promoted nationwide. The Western Han Dynasty inherited the political system and legal system of the Qin Dynasty; the "parallel prefectures and states" system was implemented in the local areas, and the supervision of local officials was strengthened. During the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the establishment of prefectural governors marked a more rigorous supervision system.

4. The role and impact of centralization:

Positive:

① It completely broke the traditional feudal system of nobles and laid the foundation for the unified dynasty system in ancient China. It had an important impact on Chinese politics and society for the next two thousand years.

② It was conducive to the development of feudal economy and culture, and played an important role in establishing the territory of the motherland, consolidating national unity, and forming the Chinese nation with the Huaxia ethnic group as the main body.

Negative:

① The Qin Dynasty relied on the autocratic authority of the emperor to intensify the oppression of the people, making the people's situation increasingly worse and class conflicts rapidly intensifying. The Qin Dynasty fell apart more than ten years later.

② It has affected the free development of China’s politics, economy, culture and other aspects to a certain extent.

Supplement: 1. Qin Shihuang established the emperor system: ① High concentration of power: The Qin Dynasty established a strong centralized system, and the concentration of power became the basic feature of the political system of the Qin Dynasty. ② The supremacy of imperial power: First of all, the emperor has all the power of the country, and the imperial power is supreme. Secondly, the emperor's succession system of "family world" was established.

2. Qin’s measures to consolidate unification: the establishment of the emperor system; the central government implemented the system of three officials and nine ministers, and the local government implemented the system of counties and counties; formulated a system for selecting and inspecting officials; unified writing, currency, weights and measures ; Enacting strict laws; building the Great Wall to defend against the Xiongnu; building Chidao from the capital to other places; opening the Ling Canal; large-scale immigration, etc.

3. The establishment of a centralized system of authoritarianism

Causes (inevitability): ① Economic roots: The decentralized feudal economy requires strong national power to ensure national unity; ② Political roots : The landlord class needs to use a strong political power to safeguard its own economic interests and suppress people's resistance; ③Ideological roots: Legalist thought;

Establishment: The Qin Dynasty's central-to-local governance structure has clear official positions The division of responsibilities not only cooperated with each other, but also restrained each other. The supreme power of the ruling body was in the hands of the emperor, which ultimately ensured the autocratic rule of the landlord class over the working people. The establishment of this set of governance institutions from the central to local governments marked the establishment of the feudal authoritarian centralized system.

3. The evolution of the political system from the Han Dynasty to the Yuan Dynasty (centered around how to strengthen imperial power and centralize power between the central and local governments)

1. The internal and external dynasty systems and the governor system during the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (both central and local)

① The internal and external dynasty system: draw lessons from the "Rebellion of the Seven Kingdoms" in the early Han Dynasty when the princes' power caused great chaos to the country; in order to strengthen the imperial power, weaken the The need to strengthen the power of the prime minister, strengthen the branches and strengthen the weak branches, and consolidate unity. The emperor's cronies formed the Inner Dynasty (i.e., the Central Dynasty: Shangshutai), which became the decision-making body of the imperial court; the three ministers and nine ministers became the Outer Dynasty, and the Central Dynasty became the central decision-making body under the direct control of the emperor.

② The governor system: To strengthen the central government’s control over local kingdoms, prevent local rebellions, and consolidate unity. 13 states and counties were established, and low-ranking and powerful governors were assigned to supervise the princes, kings and local officials. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, he was called "zhou shepherd", wielding military and political power and becoming the highest official of the state. Drawing on the practice of “reducing vassal orders” in the early Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty’s “enhancing orders” successfully weakened the power of local kingdoms and strengthened the central government’s direct jurisdiction over local areas.

③ Advantages and Disadvantages: It strengthened centralization of power, consolidated and developed unification, and promoted social and economic development; however, the emperor's power was too concentrated, which later resulted in the exclusive power of relatives and eunuchs. (Eastern Han, Tang, and Ming Dynasties)

2. The system of three provinces and six ministries during the Sui and Tang Dynasties

① The powers of the three provinces: the decision-making body: Zhongshu Province; the review body: Menxia Province; the administrative agency: Shangshu Province; it consists of six ministries: officials, households, rituals, soldiers, punishments, The Sixth Ministry of Industry

② Function: The three provinces not only restrained but also complemented each other, and the division of labor was clear, which improved the efficiency of work; it divided the power of the prime ministers and prevented powerful officials from monopolizing power, which was conducive to strengthening the imperial power.

3． Measures and characteristics of strengthening centralization in the early Song Dynasty - strong cadres and weak branches

①Measures: A. Central: Set up Zhongshu Menxiasheng (involved in political affairs) to divide the power of the prime minister, set up a Privy Council to take charge of military affairs, and called it "Second House". The "Ji Xiang" (called the "Three Secretary Envoys") of the Duzhi, Yantie, and Hubu Departments were set up to be in charge of finance. B. Local: Recruit elite troops, ban the army and set up "three yamen" (strengthening the branches and weak branches, guarding the inside and the outside; separating the power of troop deployment and commanding the troops.); reduce the real power of the generals; set up general magistrates at the local level, send civil servants to know the state, and send transfer envoys Manage money.

②Function: Achieve the purpose of strengthening the weak branches and strengthening the centralization of power; avoiding the split situation of feudal vassals and towns. However, it caused the consequences of poverty and weakness, such as "redundant officials, redundant soldiers, and redundant expenses". (In the middle period of the Northern Song Dynasty, there were financial difficulties and the people revolted. The Liao and Xia invaded the country and the court was in a hurry.)

4. The provincial system of the Yuan Dynasty

The central government: ① The Yuan Dynasty abolished three provinces and established a one-province system (i.e. Zhongshu Province) as the highest administrative agency to improve administrative efficiency. ② The Privy Council is the highest military institution; ③ The Xuanzheng Yuan is established to direct religious affairs and govern the Tibetan area.

Local: Set up a provincial system (such as Yunnan, Liaoyang, Lingbei, etc.), and the highest governor of the province is Pingzhang Zhengshi; the provincial system consolidates the central government’s jurisdiction over local areas and promotes the development of frontiers. It consolidated the situation of great unification and established the administrative divisions of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, which had far-reaching influence.

The development trend of the centralized power system in ancient China: with the imperial power as the supreme core; successive dynasties actively adjusted the relationship between monarchy and prime ministerial power, and the relationship between the central and local governments. In general: the power of the monarch continues to strengthen, the power of the prime minister continues to be dispersed and weakened, the local power continues to weaken, and the central power continues to strengthen; at the same time, in order to strengthen the autocratic rule, the supervisory system and the official selection system have been constantly adjusted and reformed in the past dynasties.

From beginning to end: full of conflicts between the emperor and the prime minister, and the central and local governments.

This high degree of centralization makes local officials absolutely dependent on the central government and the monarch, which inevitably leads to overstaffing. Local governments do not have corresponding autonomy and it is difficult to implement effective management. (Attention should be paid to combining it with the influence of the centralization of power in the Qin Dynasty.

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Four. The continuous strengthening of the autocratic monarchy system in the Ming and Qing Dynasties

1. The abolition of the prime minister system - Zhu Yuanzhang, Taizu of the Ming Dynasty

The establishment of the cabinet in the Ming Dynasty: drawing on the lessons of the Yuan Dynasty's exclusive power and frequent civil strife, the prime minister was abolished through the "Hu Weiyong case", and power was divided into six departments. (It only prepares memorials for advisors and associates, and does not participate in decision-making); Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty established a cabinet; the cabinet is an internal service organization that provides advisors to the emperor, and is a product of the strengthening of the monarchy. Set up a factory security agency. The autocratic imperial power developed to its peak.

2. The Cabinet of the Ming Dynasty and the Military Aircraft Department of the Qing Dynasty

① The Ming Dynasty established a cabinet of bachelors to participate in military and national affairs, "voting and approving".

② Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty established the Military Aircraft Department to handle military affairs: handle domestic and foreign affairs, formulate military and national plans, and hear cases, etc. Quick action and high administrative efficiency. The establishment of the Military Aircraft Department marked the peak of the development of authoritarian centralization.

3. The influence of the autocratic monarchy of the Ming and Qing Dynasties on Chinese society:

In the autocratic monarchy, decision-making is characterized by personal arbitrary and randomness, which is prone to tyranny; officials are only obedient, which encourages The officialdom follows the old-fashioned way; it causes the expansion of bureaucracy; it causes the loss of individual natural rights; the establishment of modern democratic institutions and systems lacks a social foundation, hindering social progress, etc.

5. The establishment and evolution of the centralized system of monarchical absolutism:

The Qin Dynasty established an absolutist centralized system, which was consolidated in the Western Han Dynasty, perfected in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, strengthened in the Northern Song Dynasty, developed in the Yuan Dynasty, and had unprecedented imperial power in the Ming and Qing Dynasties strengthen.

Understanding: Development trend: ① It is to continuously adjust and reform the central administrative structure and weaken the power of the prime minister to strengthen the imperial power. Taizu of the Ming Dynasty abolished the prime minister and divided the central administrative power into six ministries, which basically resolved the contradiction between imperial power and prime minister power. ② It is to continuously adjust and reform the local administrative structure and strengthen the central government’s strict jurisdiction over local areas, especially border areas. Song Taizu's strengthening of centralization basically eliminated the conditions for the formation of local separatist forces. The conflicts between the central and local governments eased. In the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, there was no major national split again. ③The control over people's thoughts is increasingly strengthened. The Ming Dynasty's eight-part essay system for recruiting scholars and the Qing Dynasty's Literary Prison are typical manifestations.

Positive effects: ① It is conducive to the establishment, consolidation and development of a multi-ethnic feudal country, and it is conducive to maintaining the country's unity and territorial integrity. ② Be able to effectively organize human, material and financial resources to carry out large-scale economic construction and production activities, which is conducive to social and economic development. ③In a unified social environment, it is conducive to the integration of nationalities and the exchange, development and improvement of economy and culture in various regions, allowing ancient Chinese people to create an ancient civilization that is ahead of the world.

Negative impact: ① Monarchy can easily lead to tyranny and corruption, which has become a factor that hinders historical development. ② The dominance of one family in terms of thought has suppressed people's thoughts, resulting in a sad situation where thousands of horses are silent. ③During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it seriously hindered the emergence and development of capitalism. To sum up, in the early stage of feudal society, its positive role was the main one. In the later period of feudal society, its negative role gradually increased. Especially in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the further strengthening of the centralization of feudal absolutism restricted the further development of social productivity, and its harm was particularly serious. When evaluating this historical phenomenon, it should be analyzed under specific historical conditions and cannot be generalized. For example: Even during the Ming and Qing dynasties, this system still played a positive role in maintaining the consolidation of a unified multi-ethnic country and countering foreign aggression.