Study On Prohibition Of Alcohol In Qin And Han Dynasties

The prohibition of alcohol in Qin and Han Dynasties was in an important transitional stage in the history of prohibition of alcohol in ancient China.In the pre-Qin period,restricted by productivity,the drinking groups and the objects of prohibition of alcohol were mainly the ruling class and the upper class,mainly because of political considerations,so it was necessary to maintain social order.In Qin and Han Dynasties,with the development of productivity,the increase of grain output and population provided more material basis and consumer groups for the development of brewing industry,and promoted the development and prosperity of brewing industry.Drinking activities became more common,secular and common in daily life.However,with the increase of wine-making and the expansion of drinking groups,a series of problems brought about have gradually been paid attention to by the rulers,and various types of prohibition laws have also been introduced.There are three types of prohibition of alcohol in Qin and Han Dynasties:prohibition of group drinking,prohibition of drinking and monopoly of alcohol.The types and objects of prohibition of alcohol are different in different periods.The prohibition of alcohol in Qin Dynasty was aimed at specific people in a specific period,not in a general sens.In the early years of the Western Han Dynasty,the law of "three people have been drinking in groups for no reason and fined four taels" was promulgated.Its main purpose was to maintain public order,but the punishment was relatively limited,mainly aimed at ordinary people.The prohibition of alcohol in the Han Dynasty was a general prohibition of alcohol,and it was mostly a temporary measure issued when the national consumption was insufficient.In the Western Han Dynasty,the prohibition of alcohol was mainly issued to prevent the possible shortage of consumption,while in the Eastern Han Dynasty,the prohibition of alcohol was issued to deal with the shortage of consumption.In the last years of the Eastern Han Dynasty,the prohibition of alcohol was mostly issued by various separatist forces within their jurisdiction.During Emperor Wudi of Han Dynasty and Wang Mang’s period,there were some factors that increased the government’s financial revenue and hit the powerful and wealthy businessmen,but the emphasis was different in different stages.There are various types of prohibition of alcohol in Qin and Han Dynasties,and the reasons for prohibition of alcohol are complicated,which could be divided into three aspects: prohibition of alcohol for maintaining public order,prohibition of alcohol for insufficient consumption,and prohibition of alcohol for increasing financial resources.The reasons for the prohibition of alcohol are basically corresponding to the types of prohibition of alcohol.The prohibition of group drinking is mainly to maintain public order and prevent people from drinking and making trouble.The prohibition of alcohol is a temporary prohibition measure to prevent or alleviate the shortage of consumption.The monopoly of alcohol is the prohibition of alcohol carried out by the government in order to increase fiscal revenue and crack down on wealthy businessmen.In Qin and Han Dynasties,the prohibition of alcohol corresponded to giving alcohol,and giving alcohol was a gathering of people to drink alcohol with the rural drinking ceremony.Its main purpose was to promote enlightenment and maintain social order at the grass-roots level.No matter whether it’s the prohibition of alcohol or the giving of tobacco,it’s carried out by the ruling class to maintain its rule and social order.Its essence is a kind of super-strong intervention of state power,and it’s the economic reflection of autocratic politics.