HISTORY
From the Xia dynasty to the reign of the Ming, which replaced a century of Mongol rule, the record of China 's imperial court extends back nearly 4000 years.
Historical legends remain a powerful symbol of the endurance and unity of Chinese cultural values. During imperial times, emperors claimed to follow the sage kings' examples as rulers; more recently, China's leaders have glorified the length of their history and its early achievements – even while condemning other aspects of the past – to foster unity and nationalism among the people.
Shang Dynasty (16 th -11 th C. BC.)
The elite hunted for sport and fought in horse-drawn chariots, while the peasantry lived in semi-subterranean dwellings. Ancestor worship was ritualized and royal tombs contained valuable objects as well as animal and even human sacrifices. The mobilization of mass labor for public works like city walls attested to the authority and power of the Shang aristocracy.
Zhou Dynasty (11 th C. -256 BC.)
The start of the Eastern Zhou period was marked by the eastward movement of its capital to Luoyang , in 771 BC. In the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), aristocratic family-states formed alliances and fought or absorbed each other until there were only seven large sates remaining by the Warring States era (403-221 BC). The foremost thinkers of the time were Confucius (551-479 BC) and his followers Mencius (circa 370-300 BC) and Xunzi (circa 310-215 BC). Peace and abundance were guaranteed if the ruler ruled fairly, preserved proper relationships in society and cultivated his own moral values. Opposed to any of this reformist ideology was Daoism. Daoists believed in a return to the Way (the dao) by following natural feelings and accepting the experience of life without struggle. It was often said that officials were Confucians while in office, becoming Daoists upon retirement.
Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC)
The Qin state emerged as the most powerful state during the Warring States period. Ruling by strict laws that supported agriculture and strengthened the state, it finally conquered the other states in 221 BC. The first emperor of the Qin dynasty, Qin Shi Huangdi, is considered to be the first ruler of a united China .
Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220)
The Han dynasty reached its prime under the rule of Han Wudi (140-87 BC). The Chinese empire had always sought to control the nomadic tribes in the north and the west and Wudi succeeded in defeating the Huns, who were nomads that had established a strong empire in the north.
Tang Dynasty (618-907)
The strength of the Tang nurtured a vigorous literary and artistic creativity. Later periods looked to Tang poetry in particular as a model of excellence. That the writing of poetry became a requisite in the civil service exams for higher qualifications and promotion can be credited to China 's only female ruler, Empress Wu Zetian, who reigned from around 690 to 705.
Song Dynasty (960-1279)
The Song was the first society with printed books (paper had been invented in the first or second century BC), which was key to the era's educational development. The government initially tried to control printing, but by the 11 th century it was granting land and books to encourage the establishments of schools.
Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368)
Most important posts throughout the empire were filled by Mongols or their non-Chinese allies; few Chinese rose to positions of authority except in cultural affairs. The Mongols were tolerant, however, of differing religions, reflecting the diversity of their multi-ethnic empire. During their rule, Tibet became part of China .
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
During the rule of the Ming, the first Christian missionaries came to China with the arrival of Guangzhou , in 1514, of Portuguese ships. The danger to the Ming emperor's rule, however, continued to come from northern and central Asia . The Great Wall was once again reinforced to protect China from the nomads, and the wars against the Mongols lasted into the 16th century.
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