[ **up:: [[China]] | [[History]]** ] --- # China – History [[“China is considered one of the four great ancient civilizations of the world, together with ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and India.”]][^1] China has “the longest continuous history of any country in the world, with more than 3,500 years of written history and its roots dating back more than 5,000”—but it’s history cannot be described as *uninterrupted.*[^2] --- ## Eras - [[2024-0415. Timeline of Chinese dynasties.|Timeline of Chinese Dynasties]] ### Xia dynasty (c. 2100–c. 1600 BCE) [[2024-0415. The Xia dynasty was the first of many ancient Chinese ruling houses (although it's existence might be mythical).|The Xia dynasty was the first of many ancient Chinese ruling houses (although it's existence might be mythical).]][^3] [[2024-0726. The first Xia king, King Yu, is said to have achieved the Mandate of Heaven by repairing the damages done by a massive flood.|The first Xia king, King Yu, is said to have achieved the Mandate of Heaven by repairing the damages done by a massive flood.]][^4] [[2024-0726. While the story of King Yu and the Flood has been commonly dismissed as a creation myth, there is archaeological evidence of large-scale floods around the Xia time period.|While the story of King Yu and the Flood has been commonly dismissed as a creation myth, there is archaeological evidence of large-scale floods around the Xia time period.]][^5] --- ### Shang dynasty (c. 16000–c. 1046 BCE) [[2024-0415. The Shang dynasty was a 600-year-long 'Golden Age' of cultural and economic stability; it saw the invention of writing.|The Shang dynasty was a 600-year-long 'Golden Age' of cultural and economic stability; it saw the invention of writing.]][^6] --- ### Zhou dynasty (c. 1046–256 BCE) [[2024-0726. The Zhou dynasty (1046 BCE - 256 BCE) was the longest of Chinese dynasties.|The Zhou dynasty (1046 BCE – 256 BCE) was the longest of Chinese dynasties.]][^7] [[2024-0726. The Zhou period is divided into two eras - Western Zhou (1046 BCE - 771 BCE), with the capital at Haojing; and Eastern Zhou (770 BCE - 256 BCE), with the capital at Luoyang.|'The Zhou period is divided into two eras: Western Zhou (1046–771 B.C.E.), with the capital at Haojing, and Eastern Zhou (770–256 B.C.E.), where the capital was moved to Luoyang due to conflict.']][^8] [[2024-0415. The Zhou dynasty was the time of some of ancient China's most influential writers and philosophers, such as Mozi, Confucius, as well as the first writings about Taoism.|The Zhou dynasty was the time of some of ancient China's most influential writers and philosophers, such as Mozi, Confucius, as well as the first writings about Taoism.]][^9] - Artefact: [[Bell (Bo Zhong) (400s BCE)]] --- #### Warring States period (c. 574–221 BCE) [[2024-0726. From 476 BCE to 221 BCE was known as the Warring States period.|From 476 BCE to 221 BCE was known as the Warring States period.]][^10] - Artefact: [[Finial (Artefact)]] - Text: [[Book of Changes (Yijing)]] --- ### Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE) [[2024-0726. 'The Qin empire marked a period of Chinese unification, where surrounding territories were brought under the rule of the emperor.'|'The Qin empire marked a period of Chinese unification, where surrounding territories were brought under the rule of the emperor.]][^11] [[2024-0726. Qin Shin Huang embarked on an authoritarian government augmented with significant infrastructural development, including what would become the Great Wall of China.|Qin Shin Huang embarked on an authoritarian government augmented with significant infrastructural development, including what would become the Great Wall of China.]][^12] [[2024-0415. Qin Shin Huang died in 210 BCE. He was buried in a mausoleum with the now-famous terracotta army of 8,000 statues (designed to serve him in death).|'Qin Shin Huang died in 210 B.C.E. and was buried in a mausoleum with a massive terracotta warrior army consisting of almost 8,000 statues to serve the emperor in death.']][^13] [[2024-0726. Qin Shin Huang was succeeded by his son, Qin Er Shi. Qin Er Shi's reign lasted only three years; he was very unpopular.|'Qin Shin Huang was succeeded by his son, Qin Er Shi, whose reign lasted for only three years before he was unseated in 206 B.C.E. due to his unpopularity.']][^14] [[2024-0726. After Qin Er Shi was unseated in 206 BCE, the leader of the rebels (Liu Bang) became the first emperor of the Han dynasty.|After Qin Er Shi was unseated in 206 BCE, the leader of the rebels (Liu Bang) became the first emperor of the Han dynasty.]][^15] [[2024-0602. China's protected horticultural production dates back to the Qin Dynasty.]][^16] [[2024-0726. The 'Qin' in Qin dynasty might be the origin of the European name for China.|The 'Qin' in Qin dynasty might be the origin of the European name for China.]][^17] --- ### Han dynasties (202 BCE–220 CE) One of the “Golden Ages” of Chinese history.[^18] [[2024-0726. After Qin Er Shi was unseated in 206 BCE, the leader of the rebels (Liu Bang) became the first emperor of the Han dynasty.|After Qin Er Shi was unseated in 206 BCE, the leader of the rebels (Liu Bang) became the first emperor of the Han dynasty.]][^19] [[2024-0726. The Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) marked another Golden Age of China.|'The Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) marked another Golden Age of China.']][^20] [[2024-0726. The historian Sima Qian wrote extensively during the Han dynasty.|The historian Sima Qian wrote extensively during the Han dynasty.]][^21] [[2024-0415. The Silk Road was established by the Han emperors; trade flourished.|The Silk Road was established by the Han emperors, and trade flourished.]][^22] [[2024-0726. The last Han emperor was deposed in the year 220.|The last Han emperor was deposed in the year 220 CE.]][^23] --- ### Three Kingdoms Period (220–280) [[2024-0415. The Three Kingdoms was a period where the region was divided between the rulers of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Dong Wu.|The Three Kingdoms was a period where the region was divided between the rulers of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Dong Wu.]][^24] [[2024-0726. Buddhism was introduced to China during the Three Kingdoms period (220-265 CE).|Buddhism was introduced to China during the Three Kingdoms period (220-265 CE).]][^25] --- ### Western Jin dynasty (266–316) ### Northern dynasties (386–581) ### Southern dynasties (420–589) --- ### Sui dynasty (581–618) [[2024-0415. The short-lived Sui dynasty unified the Northern and Southern territories.|The short-lived Sui dynasty unified the Northern and Southern territories.]][^26] --- ### Tang dynasty (618–907) The second of the “Golden Ages” of Chinese history.[^27] [[2024-0415. The Tang dynasty enjoyed significant stability and is often described as the greatest of the dynasties.|'The Tang dynasty enjoyed significant stability and is often described as the greatest of the dynasties.']][^28] [[China's only empress regent, Wu Zetian, was forced to abdicate in 705.|China's only empress regent, Wu Zetian, was forced to abdicate in 705.]][^29] --- ### Five dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period (907–979) --- ### Song dynasties (960–1279) The Song dynasty would become known for its “philosophical sophisitication” and “advances in science, technology, and economy”.[^30] [[2024-0726. The Song dynasty came into power in 960.|The Song dynasty came into power in 960.]][^31] [[2024-0726. The Song dynasty lasted until 1279, when it was defeated by the Mongols under the leadership of Kublai Khan.|The Song dynasty lasted until 1279, when it was defeated by the Mongols under the leadership of Kublai Khan.]][^32] [[2024-0415. The world's first paper money was issued during the Song dynasty (960-1279).|The world's first paper money was issued during the Song dynasty (960-1279).]][^33] - [China in 1000CE: The Most Advanced Society in the World](http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/songdynasty-module/index.html) (external resource). + This [piece on r/AskHistorians](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/l8es9o/the_mongols_while_invading_song_dynasty_china/) claiming that China was pretty much heading into industrialisation, except then the Mongols turned up, is… probably not valid, ha. --- ### Yuan dynasty (1260–1368) During the Yuan, China “expanded its interaction with West Asia and Europe, and the repertoire of available commodities for everyday life followed suit.”[^34] [[2024-0415. The conquest of China by the Mongols marked the greatest reach of the Mongol Horde, who then ruled China as the Yuan dynasty from 1279-1368.|The conquest of China by the Mongols marked the greatest reach of the Mongol Horde, who then ruled China as the Yuan dynasty from 1279-1368.]][^35] - *see also:* [The Mongols in World History](http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/mongols/index.htm) (external resource). --- ### Ming dynasty (1368–1644) The Ming dynasty was stable, yet autocratic; Ming emperors oversaw extensive building and repair along the Great Wall. Still, northern forces eventually ended the dynasty in 1644.]][^36] - Artefact: [[Jar with Dragon and Phoenix Design (1522-1566)]] --- ### Qing dynasty (1644–1912) [[2024-0415. The Qing rulers were Manchu people rather than Han Chinese; the Manchu have their own language and customs, originating from what is now north-eastern China.]][^37] [[2024-0726. 'During the Qing dynasty, Chinese territory reached its greatest geographical extent.']][^38] [[2024-0726. Although the Qing empire was relatively stable, the 19th and 20th centuries brought China into increasing conflict with Western powers.]][^39] [[2024-0726. The Qing dynasty marks the last of the Chinese emperors.|'The Qing dynasty marks the last of the Chinese emperors, ruling from 1644 C.E. to 1911 C.E']][^40] - *See also:* [Recording the Grandeur of the Qing](http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/qing/index.html) (external resource) --- ### Republic Era (1911–1949) [[“… in 1911 C.E., the last of the Chinese emperors, Puyi, abdicated in favor of a republican government.”]][^41] --- ### People’s Republic of China (1949–present) [[“… in 1911 C.E., the last of the Chinese emperors, Puyi, abdicated in favor of a republican government.”|'… in 1911 C.E., the last of the Chinese emperors, Puyi, abdicated in favor of a republican government.']][^41] --- ## External resources ### Historiography - [Classical Historiography for Chinese History](https://libguides.princeton.edu/c.php?g=513803&p=3688629) (external resource) — Bibliography put together by Princeton University. --- ### Sources - [Silk Road Narratives : A Collection of Historical Texts](https://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/texts/texts.html) (external resource). - [Chinese Text Project](https://ctext.org/) —The Chinese Text Project is an online open-access digital library that makes pre-modern Chinese texts available to readers and researchers all around the world. The site attempts to make use of the digital medium to explore new ways of interacting with these texts that are not possible in print. With over thirty thousand titles and more than five billion characters, the Chinese Text Project is also the largest database of pre-modern Chinese texts in existence. - Topics include: Confucianism, Mohism, Daoism, Legalism, School of Names, School of the Military, Mathematics, Miscellaneous Schools, Histories, Ancient Classics & Chinese Medicine - (Mostly an aggregator-style site, but a good place to figure out where to start to find reputable texts on certain topics.) [^1]: Ping Yao, *[[Yao. 'Women, Gender, and Sexuality in China', 2022.|Women, Gender, and Sexuality in China: A Brief History]]* (Routledge, 2022), p. 1. [^2]: Ping Yao, *[[Yao. 'Women, Gender, and Sexuality in China', 2022.|Women, Gender, and Sexuality in China: A Brief History]]* (Routledge, 2022), p. 1. [^3]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^4]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^5]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^6]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^7]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^8]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^9]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^10]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^11]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^12]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^13]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^14]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^15]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^16]: Xia Ma, et al., ‘[[Ma, et al. ‘The history of protected horticulture production in China’, 2024.|The history of protected horticulture production in China]], *Acta Hortculturae* 1391 (March 2024), p. 205. [^17]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^18]: Ping Yao, *[[Yao. 'Women, Gender, and Sexuality in China', 2022.|Women, Gender, and Sexuality in China: A Brief History]]* (Routledge, 2022), p. 1. [^19]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^20]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^21]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^22]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^23]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^24]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^25]: Amy Vladeck Heinrich, ‘CHINA—Timeline of Historical Periods’, *Asia for Educators*, retrieved 15 April 2024, http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/timelines/china_timeline.htm. [^26]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^27]: Ping Yao, *[[Yao. 'Women, Gender, and Sexuality in China', 2022.|Women, Gender, and Sexuality in China: A Brief History]]* (Routledge, 2022), p. 1. [^28]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^29]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^30]: Ping Yao, *[[Yao. 'Women, Gender, and Sexuality in China', 2022.|Women, Gender, and Sexuality in China: A Brief History]]* (Routledge, 2022), p. 1. [^31]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^32]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^33]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^34]: Ping Yao, *[[Yao. 'Women, Gender, and Sexuality in China', 2022.|Women, Gender, and Sexuality in China: A Brief History]]* (Routledge, 2022), p. 1. [^35]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^36]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^37]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^38]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^39]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^40]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. [^41]: ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, *National Geographic*, updated 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/.