Here’s a short description of Chinese history for those who are interested in Ancient China. Trust me, it’s pretty cool :)
1. Xia Dynasty => 2000 - 1600 BC
The earliest civilisation. Not confirmed as there’s not enough archeological proof.
2. Shang Dynasty => 1600 - 1046 BC
Nothing spectacular happened. The Chinese people were still gradually getting out of the neolithic state and society.
3. Zhou Dynasty => 1046 - 214 BC
Semi-feudal system appeared. Small warlords began conquering other neighbouring states. The Hundred Schools of Thought of Chinese philosophy appeared: Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, Mohism.
First emperor appeared: Emperor Ying Zheng, the King of the state of Qin, who later called himself Emperor Shi Huangdi (the First Emperor) after he unified China’s many warring states.
4. Qin Dynasty => 214 - 207 BC
Picture of Emperor Shi Huangdi
Emperor Shi Huangdi managed to subdue and unite the main Han (almost all Chinese today are decendents of the Hans) ethnic group of China. Established the capital in Xianyang (modern Xi’an). Started the Great Wall of China. Incidentally, the word ‘China’ comes from ‘Qin’, as in the Qin Emperor’s (Shi Huangdi) people, used by foreign merchants.
5. Han Dynasty => 207 BC - AD 220
China’s first Golden Age. Everything was boom-booming there. Confucianism the prominent philosophy. The ruler was Emperor Wu (Han Wudi), and then later, Emperor Guangwu. The Silk Road was opened during this period.
Emperor Guangwu’s power gradually declined. Chaos and war broke out during the Period of the Three Kingdoms between the kingdoms of Wei, Han and Wu (as mentioned in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms novel).
6. Jin Dynasty => 280 - 589
The Three Kingdoms reunited temporarily to form the Jin Dynasty, but not for long. Soon was fragmented into two states, one in the north and one in the south. Hence this period was also known as the Northern and Southern Dynasties.
Minority non-Han ethnic groups controlled the North, cumulating in the formation of 16 kingdoms there. Was temporarily united under Fu Jian who then tried invading the South, but failed. The North was later reunited again under Emperor Taiwu.
Meanwhile, the Han-Chinese migrated south, and reinstated the Jin Dynasty, under Emperor Yuan. The capital was in Nanjing.
7. Sui Dynasty => 589 - 618
China’s North and South reunited again, after 300 years of fragmentation. Made the Grand Canal of China.
8. Tang Dynasy => 618 - 960
Picture of Emperor Tang Taizong China’s Second Golden Age. Emperor Gaozu was first on the throne followed by Emperor Tang Taizong. Buddhism becomes the dominant religion. Chang’an (modern Xi’an) was made the capital and regarded as the world’s biggest and most happening city. There was extensive trading with the outside world.
From 860, Tang Dynasty began to decline, due to internal rebellions. Another period of political chaos ensured: The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period.
9. Song Dynasty => 960 - 1279
Song Dynasty gained power and restored stability and peace. The capital was in Kaifeng. This period was the continuation of the Second Golden Age after Tang Dynasty. There was great technological advances made. This dynasty finally fell to the barbaric Mongols in 1279.
I hope you had fun reading,
Mr Syed
7 comments:
Hi Mr Syed,
How have you been all this time?
SAD? HAPPY? ANGRY?
Well i would like to thank you for posting lots of information on the blog.It really helps.But i don't really understand your latest post.
Hope you can explain it to me.
With lots of respect,
Kush(23)
1A2
Gdlss
Hi Kush,
I am actually quite happy teaching in Greendale except that some of my classes have been quite noisy. But I hope that they will get a bit more serious and work harder for the exams.
Anyway, I admit that this post is a little tougher than the rest. Basically I am providing a summary of the Ancient dynasties in China for those who are interested :)
I also wanted to point out that the Golden Age in China stretched for 3 Dynasties - from Han to Tang to Song Dynasty. This is very different from India because their Golden Age is only during the Gupta Period.
Hope it is much clearer for everybody now...
Best regards,
Mr Syed
Hello!My Dear Mr Syed I Hope you have good day resting.
I know that my class 1A4 have been making you angry since last two weeks,i hope you dont give up because you dont know that i need you.Mr syed i am really telling you the truth that you have been scolding us,nagging at us but all this is our own good,others like sheng jia,teck seng they dont know how you feel but i know ,you feel pain,sad and unhappy since the starts of the term i know you are trying your best to guard us.please mr syed promise me that you won't give up on us especially those who need you very much.All this that i am telling is Through my Heart.Don't you know that i seriously love you as my co-form teacher,Mr Syed.
your LoveLy,
Patrick Koh
1A4 (34)
GDLSS
Mr Syed i know that you are trying your best to guard us by preparing things through the night.last two weeks while you are scolding us you cried dont you know that while you are crying i also feel like crying too.because i knew what i have done wrong.but i wish you will teach us with a happy face on it.
Your Lovely,
Patrick koh
1A4 (34)
GDLSS
Mr Syed, I know that u have been very disappointed with our class. But don't worry we will try our best to change to be a better class and prove it to other teachers, I find that golden age in China is different from the golden age in India. China have Han, Tang and Song dynasty. But India's golden age is only Gupta.
Celia(1A4)
(2)
hi!Mr syed thank you for teaching us very well i like it very much.
jermaine tan
1A4 (9)
GDLSS
Hello, I am not in your class, but thank you so much for some of the information posted on your site.
I desperatly needed this information to write a paper for my class, or I was going to fail..
I do not know you "Mr.Syed" but again, you have my upmost gratitiude for the crucial information i so greatly desired.
Keep up the good work on your site...
sincearly,
-Victoria Xiao
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