What characterized the decline of the Han Empire around 220 CE?

The decline of the Han Empire around 220 CE was significantly characterized by land taxes and internal power struggles. The Han dynasty, which had experienced a period of prosperity and expansion, began to face difficulties as the population grew and the demands for tax revenue increased. Heavy taxation burdened the peasant class, leading to widespread discontent, revolts, and a breakdown of social order.

Internally, the empire was plagued by power struggles among various factions within the court and noble families. These conflicts often diverted attention from governance and weakened the central authority, ultimately leading to civil war. The inability to effectively manage the empire's vast territory and the disintegration of loyalty among the ruling elite contributed to the overall decline. This period of upheaval was not marked by transformation to democracy or sustained economic prosperity but rather by turmoil and fragmentation.