2. SimilaritiesDifferences Han ChinaImperial Rome Founding of empire  Both emerged in similar time period and grew to be similar land area and population  Both took over land brutally and strongly depended on military  Chinese had previous centralized states and were familiar with this type of political system (Xia, Shang, Zhou, Qin)  Chinese expansion of land was rapid (short lived Qin had doubled China’s size)  More emphasis on maintaining borders than expanding (Great Wall existed from beginning b/c already large size)  Warring state to unified state  Roman empire was a new concept to this area of world (Europe)  Roman expansion of land much slower; grew largely during republic phase (Hadrian’s Wall built during empire stage)  City-state to unified state

3. SimilaritiesDifferences Han ChinaImperial Rome Consolidation of power  Both ruled over large land areas  Both used public works such as roads, bridges, canals, and walls to aid in expansion process  Great Wall in China and Hadrian’s Wall in Britain  Both were guided by supernatural (Roman emperors seen as gods and Chinese emperors seen as Son of Heaven and guided by Mandate of Heaven)  Land empire  Chinese empire mostly composed of Chinese. In addition, they assimilated many non-Chinese).  Chinese language and ideology (Confucianism) provided unity  Chinese Confucianism emphasized trained officials; civil service exam ensured this  Strong bureaucracy (government workers)  Filial piety: family was a model for state  Land and sea empire  Roman empire was very diverse (Romans were in the minority). Romans did not culturally assimilate its people.  While Latin was language of empire, many in east spoke Greek  No unifying ideology  Romans relied on elaborate laws instead  Strong aristocracy

6. SimilaritiesDifferences Han ChinaImperial Rome Collapse of empire  Both empires became too big and expensive to maintain; poverty overtook the majority of people  Both experienced political instability and foreign invasions  Both experienced decline in cities, trade and population  Both experienced a period of chaos and disorder upon collapse  Division of China into three kingdoms after collapse  Collapse was followed by decentralization, however China later regroups into several more centralized empires  Peasant rebellion (Yellow Turban) also contributed to collapse  Division of Rome prior to collapse (east survived and became Byzantine Empire)  Western Europe never really had a successful large scale empire again  Decentralized feudal system

7.  Need to address both similarities and differences.  Can express this in more than one sentence.  This is the bulk of your introduction.

8.  Give some background / characteristics of the civilizations  Thesis statement

9.  Great starting/transition words - “While”/ “Despite”/ “Although”/ “However”  Thesis must incorporate all parts of the prompt question and a time period (if given)  A good thesis “lights the way” and provides a travel direction for the rest of the essay

10.  YOU CAN NEVER SAY… “THERE WERE MANY SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THESE TWO CIVILIZATIONS”  Thesis must be more specific in stating how they were similar and different

11.  The Han Empire and Roman Empire had many similarities and differences.  NOT ACCEPTED!!!!

12.  The Han and Roman Empires were both large, centralized states that exerted tremendous control over the people they ruled. However, varying ideologies and past experiences led to Han China having a more unified and cohesive political system than the Romans.

13.  Provides an overview of what will be discussed in the paragraph