Study on imperial clansmen policy of the western Jin dynasty = 西晉宗室政策之研究

Abstract

This thesis aims to discuss the imperial clansmen policy of the Western Jin Dynasty西晉 (265-420). It mainly discusses that the Sima clan changed the imperial policy of the Wei Dynasty魏朝 (220-265) after mastering the real power and adjusted the policy in different periods after founding the Jin Dynasty and death of Emperor Wu of Jin 晉武帝 (236-290). This thesis analyzes the reasons why the Sima clan adjusted the policy in the period of Taishi泰始 (265-274) and the influence on the central government of the adjustment. The political landscape of the Western Jin Dynasty was changing, such as defeating Wu吳 for national unity and Emperor Hui of Jin (259-307) ascending the throne. During these changes, political upheaval made members of the Sima family gradually rise and quickly ruin.

Emperor Hui of Jin was killed by Prince of Donghai 東海王 (?-311) in 306. Prince of Donghai then acclaimed Emperor Hui’s younger brother Prince of Yuzhang (284-313) Emperor Huai of Jin 晉懷帝. In the same year, Prince of Donghai豫章王 killed Prince of Hejian 河間王 (?-306), ending 16 years of civil wars between the princes. In this historical background, the development of the relationship between Emperor Huai of Jin and Prince of Donghai was changing, which in a certain sense became the key problem of the survival of the Western Jin Dynasty. Drawn from different historical materials, this thesis explores their political struggle and its influence.