History of China
There were many significant eras during the civilisation of China, the following will explore a few important eras throughout Chinese history...
Prehistory
Palaeolithic Era
The palaeolithic era of China is believed to exist approximately 1 million years ago. China was inhabited primitive human species known as Homo Erectus. The Peking man was a famous Homo Erectus specimen. Stone tools was first recorded to be used in China during the palaeolithic era.
Neolithic Era
The neolithic era was recorded to exist during 10,000 BC. Agriculture has already become a predominant way of living: people cultivated crops as well as hunt and scavenge. Cliff carvings were already used during the neolithic era.
Ancient China
Xia Dynasty: 2070 BC - 1600BC
The Xia dynasty was the first known Dynasty of China, lasting from 2070 BC to 1600 BC. The capital city of Xia was Yang Cheng. The ruling system became a social hierarchy during the Xia Dynasty, marking the beginning of the class society. Emperors were the rulers of the kingdom: originally, the emperor was chosen by the society according to their ability, this was called the abdication system. Shortly after, the hereditary system replaced the abdication system, and the descendants of the emperor took the throne. Some emperors of this era were Xia Yu - the founder and first emperor of Xia Dynasty, Qi - the son of Xia Yu, Huai and Shao Kang - great emperors that significantly helped with the advancement of Chinese civilisation, and Jie - a tyrant that ended the Xia Dynasty.
Prehistory
Palaeolithic Era
The palaeolithic era of China is believed to exist approximately 1 million years ago. China was inhabited primitive human species known as Homo Erectus. The Peking man was a famous Homo Erectus specimen. Stone tools was first recorded to be used in China during the palaeolithic era.
Neolithic Era
The neolithic era was recorded to exist during 10,000 BC. Agriculture has already become a predominant way of living: people cultivated crops as well as hunt and scavenge. Cliff carvings were already used during the neolithic era.
Ancient China
Xia Dynasty: 2070 BC - 1600BC
The Xia dynasty was the first known Dynasty of China, lasting from 2070 BC to 1600 BC. The capital city of Xia was Yang Cheng. The ruling system became a social hierarchy during the Xia Dynasty, marking the beginning of the class society. Emperors were the rulers of the kingdom: originally, the emperor was chosen by the society according to their ability, this was called the abdication system. Shortly after, the hereditary system replaced the abdication system, and the descendants of the emperor took the throne. Some emperors of this era were Xia Yu - the founder and first emperor of Xia Dynasty, Qi - the son of Xia Yu, Huai and Shao Kang - great emperors that significantly helped with the advancement of Chinese civilisation, and Jie - a tyrant that ended the Xia Dynasty.
Zhou Dynasty: 1046 BC to 221BC
Established by King Wu, the Zhou Dynasty was the longest lasting dynasty in the history of China. It was during this era that the Mandate of Heaven was created, stating that if an emperor does not fulfil his obligations as ruler, he will be overthrown, the Mandate of Heaven was an important factor of political philosophy in China for many years. The Zhou dynasty is classified as Western Zhou Dynasty and Eastern Zhou Dynasty.
Hao Jing was set the capital of Western Zhou (1046 BC - 771 BC). Bronze was especially popular during Western Zhou, used to craft weaponry, equestrian items and funeral objects and temple sacrifices, thus this period was called the Bronze Age of China.
The Zhou Dynasty can be separated into two periods: Spring and Autumn period (771BC - 476BC) and Warring States period (476 BC - 221 BC).
During the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, emperors possessed little to no power, they were only of nominal influence. The Zhou Dynasty began to split into separate states. By 770 BC, nearly 1000 states inhabited China. During the Spring and Autumn period, war was frequent and violent. Arts and philosophy also flourished during this period, many schools of thought was established: Confucianism - the practice of all encompassing humanism, Taoism - the practice of living in harmony with the Tao, Legalism - the practice of law, and Moism - the practice of collective love.
The Warring States Period was an era of war and conflict. The Warring States Period consisted of 8 chief states, the Zhou dynasty has then become one of the major states, Qin was also another powerful state. Shang Yang was a leader of Qin, he significantly changed the philosophy and politics of ancient China. Ying Zheng was the last leader of Qin, he built a great army and conquered all seven other states, thus marked the end of the Warring States Period.
Established by King Wu, the Zhou Dynasty was the longest lasting dynasty in the history of China. It was during this era that the Mandate of Heaven was created, stating that if an emperor does not fulfil his obligations as ruler, he will be overthrown, the Mandate of Heaven was an important factor of political philosophy in China for many years. The Zhou dynasty is classified as Western Zhou Dynasty and Eastern Zhou Dynasty.
Hao Jing was set the capital of Western Zhou (1046 BC - 771 BC). Bronze was especially popular during Western Zhou, used to craft weaponry, equestrian items and funeral objects and temple sacrifices, thus this period was called the Bronze Age of China.
The Zhou Dynasty can be separated into two periods: Spring and Autumn period (771BC - 476BC) and Warring States period (476 BC - 221 BC).
During the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, emperors possessed little to no power, they were only of nominal influence. The Zhou Dynasty began to split into separate states. By 770 BC, nearly 1000 states inhabited China. During the Spring and Autumn period, war was frequent and violent. Arts and philosophy also flourished during this period, many schools of thought was established: Confucianism - the practice of all encompassing humanism, Taoism - the practice of living in harmony with the Tao, Legalism - the practice of law, and Moism - the practice of collective love.
The Warring States Period was an era of war and conflict. The Warring States Period consisted of 8 chief states, the Zhou dynasty has then become one of the major states, Qin was also another powerful state. Shang Yang was a leader of Qin, he significantly changed the philosophy and politics of ancient China. Ying Zheng was the last leader of Qin, he built a great army and conquered all seven other states, thus marked the end of the Warring States Period.
Imperial China
Han Dynasty: 202 BC - 220 AD
The Han Dynasty was an important era, significantly impacting what is now modern China. Currently, China's majority ethnic group is known as "Han People", and Chinese characters are also called "Han Characters". China's economy and industry also prospered during this era. Liu Bang, also known as GaoZu, established the Han Dynasty after a scramble for power against Xiang Yu. Wu Di, the seventh emperor of the Han Dynasty, extended the Han territory and built a strong army. Cai Lun also invented paper during this era. Paper was originally used to wrap fish and other foods, however, it gradually became a writing material.
Tang Dynasty: 618 AD - 907 AD
The Tang Dynasty is known as the golden age of culture within China. Religion flourished during this era: buddhism became a largely recognised religion, temples were built across the Tang territory; Christianity and Islam religion was also introduced to the people of China. Literature, especially poetry, reached a pinnacle during this period. Li Bai, world-acclaimed genius on classical poetry, lived during the Tang Dynasty; other poets include Han Yu, who composed a polemic against buddhism, and Wang Wei. "Shi Tong" was also written in the Tang Dynasty by Liu Zhi Ji, the first Chinese work revolving around historiography.
Han Dynasty: 202 BC - 220 AD
The Han Dynasty was an important era, significantly impacting what is now modern China. Currently, China's majority ethnic group is known as "Han People", and Chinese characters are also called "Han Characters". China's economy and industry also prospered during this era. Liu Bang, also known as GaoZu, established the Han Dynasty after a scramble for power against Xiang Yu. Wu Di, the seventh emperor of the Han Dynasty, extended the Han territory and built a strong army. Cai Lun also invented paper during this era. Paper was originally used to wrap fish and other foods, however, it gradually became a writing material.
Tang Dynasty: 618 AD - 907 AD
The Tang Dynasty is known as the golden age of culture within China. Religion flourished during this era: buddhism became a largely recognised religion, temples were built across the Tang territory; Christianity and Islam religion was also introduced to the people of China. Literature, especially poetry, reached a pinnacle during this period. Li Bai, world-acclaimed genius on classical poetry, lived during the Tang Dynasty; other poets include Han Yu, who composed a polemic against buddhism, and Wang Wei. "Shi Tong" was also written in the Tang Dynasty by Liu Zhi Ji, the first Chinese work revolving around historiography.