> [!cite] > ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’. *National Geographic* (online). Last modified 19 October 2023. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/. > [!summary] > From the mythic origins of the Chinese dynasties to the eventual fall of the last imperial house, Chinese emperors have long fought to maintain control over one of the most enduring empires on Earth. The rise and fall of various imperial families oversaw waves of innovation and cultural advancement. --- ‘However, this stability would not last, and the period from 476 to 221 B.C.E. was known as the “Warring States Period” where the seven regions controlled by the Shang began serious infighting.’ [[National Geographic, ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, 2023|(National Geographic 2023)]] ^29ae42 ‘Beginning in 690 C.E., China’s only empress regent, Wu Zetian, reigned for 15 years, instituting many reforms before being forced to abdicate in 705 C.E.’ [[National Geographic, ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, 2023|(National Geographic 2023)]] ^5eedfd ‘The Qin empire marked a period of Chinese unification, where surrounding territories were brought under the rule of the emperor.’ [[National Geographic, ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, 2023|(National Geographic 2023)]] ^449070 ‘During the Qing period, Chinese territory reached its greatest extent. While the Qing empire was relatively stable, the 19th and 20th centuries brought China into increasing conflict with Western powers, and in 1911 C.E., the last of the Chinese emperors, Puyi, abdicated in favor of a republican government.’ [[National Geographic, ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, 2023|(National Geographic 2023)]] ^cc60c8 ‘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. The leader of the rebels, Liu Bang, became the first emperor of the Han dynasty.’ [[National Geographic, ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, 2023|(National Geographic 2023)]] ^b0d1db ‘A period of warring followed the Tang dynasty, and in 960 C.E., the Song dynasty came to power.’ [[National Geographic, ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, 2023|(National Geographic 2023)]] ^220236 ‘The Zhou dynasty saw a flourishing of some of ancient China’s most influential writers and philosophers, such as Mozi, Confucius, and the first writings about Taoism.’ [[National Geographic, ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, 2023|(National Geographic 2023)]] ^def28f ‘The historian Sima Qian wrote extensively during \[the Han dynasty]].’ [[National Geographic, ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, 2023|(National Geographic 2023)]] ^2b7375 --- ‘[[National Geographic, ‘Imperial China’s Dynasties’, 2023|Imperial China’s Dynasties]]’, *National Geographic* (Online), last modified 19 October 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/.