Chinese Dynasties | Historic Events
Compare the History of Chinese Dynasties With Western Events!
Take a look at some of the significant events in Chinese history through the evolving backdrop of the feudal monarchies within the Chinese dynasties. Then, take a look at what was happening in Western society to see if there is any similarities or differences. From Pre-history to the present day, China has a long narrative that is worth studying and comparing with the progress of Western civilisation. Take a look at this comparison from 600,000 BCE to the present day. Image: drs2biz | Lens U...

Chinese Dynasties | The Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty a Golden Age Of Chinese Dynasties!
The Tang Dynasty was a watershed in China's development, lasting from 618 to 907 CE, interrupted by Empress Wu Zetian in 690 to 705 CE. At that time in Chinese history, it was the most powerful ruling government on earth and is now known as one of the most interesting of the Chinese Dynasties. The first codified legal system was created in 624 CE. A system of examinations based on Confucianism was implemented to select the best candidates for civil service, and was so effective it continued u...

Chinese Dynasties | The Xia Dynasty
The Xia Dynasty Was First of the Chinese Dynasties
There's still debate if this dynasty actually existed. In 1959, however, archaeologists uncovered ruins at Erlitou in Yanshi, Henan Province, dating back to the time of the Xia. Until this evidence can be matched to what little written historical evidence remains, there will still be controversy about whether this civilisation is just a legend described in the Records of the Grand Historian and Bamboo Annals. The Xia lived in the West of Henan and South of Shanxi Provinces of China. Their po...

Chinese Dynasties | The Shang Dynasty
The Shang Dynasty Was a Slave Society Based on Agriculture, Hunting and Animal Husbandry!
In the Shang Dynasty, there is evidence of the use of horse-drawn chariots with spoked wheels, as well as huge organised armies. The successful use of bronze technology was refined and used to create weapons for their armies and ornamental objects for the wealthy. Hereditary slavery was practised, as in the Xia Dynasty, with this manpower mainly being used in agriculture to produce hemp, millet, mulberry, rice and wheat as well as animal husbandry. Improved fabrication of jade objects and po...

Chinese Dynasties | Warring States Period
Warring States Period Was Chaos in Chinese History
This was a period of time when people were very disturbed about what was going on in the world around them. The Warring States Period was in the second half of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, when the stronger states were waging war on the weaker, and consolidating their power. Even though there were battles raging throughout China, it was also a time of "The Hundred Schools of Thought". Intellectual and cultural expansion flourished throughout China, and the period became known as the "Golden Age...

Chinese Dynasties | The Zhou Dynasty
Zhou Dynasty Was The Longest of Chinese Dynasties
The Zhou Dynasty was the longest in Chinese history, lasting from 1045 to 256 BCE. The Zhou believed in the moralisation of political events. In other words, they were not rulers just because they were from a certain family, but they had a moral quality that enabled them to reign. One of the subject clans from the Western section of the Shang Dynasty, they alternated between being a hunting and gathering to an agricultural society, until stabilising into an agricultural farming community, re...

Chinese Dynasties | Eastern Zhou Dynasty
Eastern Zhou Dynasty Was a Period of Decline
The power of the Zhou Empire was undermined in 771 BCE when a combined force of the Marquess of Shen, and the Quanrong nomadic tribe raided the capital, Haojing. The Marquess was the father of the empress, who had just been replaced by King You of Zhou for a concubine. As a result, the capital was moved East to Luoyang. For the next few hundred years the Zhou kings remain but their power has been eroded, with only lip service being retained. This period is known as the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. I...

Chinese Dynasties | Western Zhou Dynasty
Western Zhou Dynasty Had The 'Mandate of Heaven'
The early years of the Zhou Dynasty brought population growth, stable and peaceful domestic order, and generally fulfilled the terms of the "Mandate of Heaven", bringing peace and prosperity, until they were forced to move their capital to the East in 770 BCE. This marks the end of the Western Zhou. Image: drs2biz | Lens Updated: August 18, 2010 @ 4:33 pm Beijing time.