IMPERIAL
CHINA - THE DYNASTIES - There
is little doubt that the era of Imperial China is a major
part of the Chinese legacy. It is here that you will find
the roots to many of the Chinese’s greatest cultural
themes. Imperial China begins during the Qin Dynasty in
221 B.C. and during this time period, many rulers would
come - and each would leave their mark on this great country.
The Qin Dynasty is said to be
the beginning of Imperial China. In its first years, King
Zheng would lead the country through a series of battles
that would eventually defeat all of the rival states. The
country was divided and ruled through governors. We also
see the standardization of weights, writing, money, measures,
and more. In fact, during this period, the Great Wall of
China was first built. But, King Zheng was fearful of subversion
and he tended to treat scholars brutally. During this period
of early imperial China the terracotta warriors guarding
the tomb were fashioned – some 6000 soldiers of pottery
making the Terracotta Army.
The next significant dynasty
we encounter is that of the Han Dynasty which followed on
the short reign of the Qin Dynasty. This dynasty dates from
the time that Lui Bang battled with the Qin army and won.
This was a long, 400 year ruling in which many things of
note happened. The Silk Route was established and trade
flourished. The Imperial Academy was established. Education
was beginning to shift to a more merit driven system rather
than lineage. You will also find the first dictionary of
over 9000 characters coming from this time frame. Iron was
used more so and paper was refined. We also find that in
tombs, more rural and daily life events were captured in
paintings. The beliefs in yin and yang begin here as well.
During this time period we also find the beginnings of the
Buddhism religion, although it took time to find its place.
After the Han Dynasty there was
much strife and fighting and many kingdoms were set up and
overcome. In 580 AD the Sui dynasty began. There were two
Emperors in this dynasty and the canals were extended and
the Great Wall further fortified.
The T’ang Dynasty was to
bring even more change in culture and customs to Imperial
China. Poets and all sorts of artists were beginning to
appear. Travel abroad brought more literature and a new
way of looking at life. Trade continued to flourish and
tourists came to one of the largest cities in the world,
Chang’an. Things such as imported horses and jewelry
as well as various spices were found and brought to this
culture. One of the largest differences during this time
period was that women were offered a higher status. They
played polo, rode horses and enjoyed dance and music. The
canals were further extended allowing increased trade and
travel. Great strides were made in rice growing. When this
dynasty came to an end around 900 AD a period of strife
followed.
The Later Imperial China period
starts with the Yuan Dynasty – 1279 during a time
when China were ruled by the Mongols and the grandson of
Ghengis Khan, Kubla Khan became the first Yuan emperor.
This was a troubled time in Chinese history with the Chinese
being oppressed by their Mongol rulers.
The Ming Dynasty began around
1360 and lasted for almost three hundred years. It was unique
in that the founder of the Ming Dynasty was a peasant and
he tended to improve the lot of the ordinary Chinese people.
Writing and art flourished. Ming pottery, with its distinctive
coloring became popular as did general learning with a new
Chinese dictionary being devised and widely introduced.
Earlier dynasties had built many great walls but it was
during the Ming Dynasty that the Great Wall of China was
strengthened, enlarged and the result was much as we see
it today.
The Qing Dynasty followed and
again China was ruled by outsiders – the Manchu. Dating
from 1644, the Qing dynasty continued right up to 1911.
Although the start of this dynasty was a peaceful time many
Chinese customs and dress were changed. Men had to shave
their heads and wear Manchurian style clothes. Trade was
increased and in particular much trade was conducted with
England. There were a number of internal rebellions and
this weakened the country. Following the reign of Tzu His
and a short reign of a very young emperor a Rebellion succeeded
and in came the Republic of China.More detailed information
on the dynasties can be found on this mnsu.edu
website.
|
