Examining China’s Dynasties: Change Over Time

871 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: write about religious faith of the people of ancient chinese

Between 206 BC and 1279 AD, ancient China transitioned through 3 major dynasties (the Han, Tang, and Song) in addition to others. Through change and continuities over time, these dynasties evolved China’s technology and innovation, religious beliefs, and trade and economy. As new ideas and inventions shaped and defined each dynasty, the 3 dynasties tended to be very different from each other as their changes outnumbered their continuities.

From 206 BC - 220 AD, China experienced its second greatest Chinese Imperial dynasty: The Han Dynasty. This dynasty, founded by Liu Bang, is considered by historians to be the prototype for all later Chinese dynasties. The Han lived in a country divided into a series of administrative areas ruled by centrally appointed officials, an arrangement adapted from the highly centralized Qin administrative structure. Economically, agriculture produced the wealth and taxes that supported Han China. For religion, the Han adopted a Confucian ideology that emphasized moderation and virtue throughout the Han dynasty’s reign. In 220 AD, Han power finally declined amidst land acquisitions, invasions, and feuding between consort clans and eunuchs. After the fall of the great Han dynasty around 220 AD, China broke apart into many smaller kingdoms. Unfortunately, for such an impressive dynasty, not many inventions punctuated this time period.

At the start of 618 AD however, China would face a tidal wave of new developments among warfare technology, trade, and navigational tools as the Tang dynasty came to occupy China. In between 618 AD and 755 AD, the Tang Dynasty (founded by the Li family), was a time of endless possibility for the Chinese. The Tang territory, acquired through the military campaigns of its ...

... middle of paper ...

...e most advanced places in the world.

Each of these 3 dynasties was founded by force during a period of disorder, was ruled by vigorous rulers who created stable, prosperous states , and all 3 collapsed after leadership declines due to internal uprisings and/or foreign invasions. However, amongst the many continuities and trends these dynasties shared, they tended to be different from each other in their technology and innovation, religious beliefs, and trade and economy. Though they expanded upon each others’ ideas and methods (best represented in their religions) in ways that made them appear similar, differences in these dynasties could be seen in how their technology, innovation, trade, economy and religion affected the dynasty as a whole. Though similar in many ways, each dynasty experienced just enough changes over time to differentiate them from each other.

Show More
Related

  • The Dynastic Cycle

    647 Words  | 2 Pages

    The occurance of the dynastic cycle in these two dynastys was similar and differnet in many ways. Both empires were

    Read More

  • Changes And Continuities In The Shang Dynasty

    1657 Words  | 4 Pages

    Each dynasty had plenty of unique aspects they created. Although many are more well-known than others, not all of them were considered the most effective or beneficial, so not all aspects were continuities. Although many of the changed systems worked at the time, they were not compatible at the time, hence why they had to be altered or defected from. Even though it may not be as apparent as the use of the continued aspects, the abandoned aspects had their uses too. Obviously, the continued features are important because they were used throughout later time periods of China, and some ideas even spread outside of the civilization. However, the less superficial and less easily-recognized importance of the changed features is that they teach why or why not something works. Failure teaches more than any success can, so that is why the trial-and-error of cast-aside ideas is so important. Between the dynasties of the Zhou, the Qin, and the Han, there have been many continuities and changes that have developed across the timeline of

    Read More

  • Liang Fa's Good Words To Ext The Age

    496 Words  | 1 Pages

    China has an extensive history that spans thousands of years and various dynasties. Each dynasty has made their own significant achievements which have contributed to the shaping of China. However, some historians believe that because China followed a "dynastic cycle" for so long, the society was unchanging and stagnant. But the fact of the matter is that China was actually undergoing massive changes within itself which would lead to the shaping of a new China.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Han Dynasty And The Roman Empire

    1168 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Han dynasty and the Roman Empire were both powerful empires during their era. However, the ways they obtained their power varied greatly because they used different methods that involved their political structures, which revolved around their centralized governments. The Han dynasty and the Roman Empire acquired very unique techniques that allowed them to control social and political. For example, the Han dynasty adopted a religion known as Confucianism, which monitored everything in the lives of the Chinese. Contrary, the Roman Empire established a monarchy but allowed its residents more freedom as compared to the Han. Nevertheless, the two empires were similar in political structures in that the power was depended on the wealthy that were in authority, the peasants struggled with their lives because of concerning issues such as food supply. The empires were able to create and preserve a peaceful and sustainable lives for a long time, unlike the past empires. Social distribution were under the control of the wealthiest and they could effortlessly impact community viewpoints and interactions among the residents. These two empires existed during the Classical Period had comparable and various social, political, religions, as well as economical values and practices. However, they both possessed differences and similarities in their economic and social perspectives even though the two empires were established around the same era.

    Read More

  • Roman and Chinese Empires

    839 Words  | 2 Pages

    More than two thousand years ago, two great empires arose. The Chinese and the Roman Empires. Having different locations, there were obvious differences from the start, assembly and the collapse of the empires, but there were also astonishing similarities. Located in modern time Asia and Europe, the Chinese and Roman empires were revolutionary with their ideas and accomplishments in their time from the start to the end of their empires.

    Read More

  • The Periods of Success and Decline in the Dynastic Cycle

    1108 Words  | 3 Pages

    After the fall of the Qin Dynasty, the Han dynasty drew from the teachings of Confucius to create the Han Synthesis. This formed the traditional belief in China that history repeats itself and directly contributed to the Dynastic Cycle. This is demonstrated by the use of Confucius teachings, the Dynastic Cycle and the Han Synthesis when addressing the Good Life, Good Society and Good State respectively. Each of these philosophies highlight that Chinese history repeats itself by casting light on this theme of repetition through the three different areas. This makes the state accountable for its actions to its people. Confucius was a Chinese philosopher whose ideas greatly affect China in every aspect of its culture. In The Analects, he preached how to be a good man through living a life of filial piety, being a gentleman, and the way a ruler should govern his empire. The Han Synthesis used many of Confucius’ ideas to be the guiding force in China’s political ideology which contributed to the Dynastic Cycle of an empire, which stated that empires go through periods of success and decline. All of these highlight the cyclical nature of history in China, and its importance in the development of the state.

    Read More

  • The Sui, Tang, and Song Dynasties

    469 Words  | 1 Pages

    Major changes in political structure, social and economic life define the Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties. Each period laid the foundation for the next, with changes and improvements to create a new order.

    Read More

  • Tang Dynasty Essay

    1309 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Tang Dynasty (618 -907 A.D), also known as China’s glorious revelation, was a time of major change both politically and economically in the Chinese Empire. During this time period, trade became greater than ever. The military power strengthened. The population also increased during this time period from fifty million to eighty million in just two centuries with its large population base, the dynasty was able to raise professional and conscripted armies of hundreds of thousands of troops to contend with nomadic powers in dominating Inter Asia. The Tang also has a strong influence on its neighboring states such as Korea (which was at the time made if of three kingdoms) and Japan. During this time period the Silk Road expanded and trade

    Read More

  • The Han Dynasty

    1393 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Han Dynasty, the amazing Chinese era to have said to unified China for over 400 years old. This era in China’s history began in 206 B.C when a rebel armies rose up against the Qin army. One rebellion, led by Chen Sheng and Wu Kuang was later joined by Xiang Liang, Xiang Yu, Ying Bu, and Peng Yue joined forces with Liu Bang. The people of the Qin Dynasty were unhappy under the rule of Qin Shihuang who was ran his empire with an iron fist. His rule was absolute and disagreeing was punishable by death, though Emperor Qin was the one who to end the Warring States as well as complete the conquering of China in 221 B.C, thus expanding the Chinese state. After the takeover, Liu Bang took the name as Emperor of China and changed his given name to Emperor Gaozu and the Qin laws were abolished.

    Read More

  • GWC

    1897 Words  | 4 Pages

    From 1700 to roughly 220 BCE (before the Common Era), the region currently known as China was divided into six states: Qin, Wei, Zhao, Qi, Yan and Zhongshan, each ruled by different kings. These inter-warring states were already familiar with wall building techniques, each having constructed extensive fortifications to defend their own borders. When Shih Huangdi, the young king of the ancient Chinese state of Qin (also spelled Ch’in, from which the word China derives), conquered each of the remaining five states in 221 BCE, the continuous warring finally came to an end. By conquering these states, Shih Huangdi established the Qin Dynasty, thus creating the first unification of China, and the first Chinese central government. In his efforts to make this new concept of centralized rule “stick”, as well as prevent the reemergence of feudal lords, Shih Huangdi ordered the destruction of the wall sections that divided his empire along the forme...

    Read More

  • The Safavids And The Ming Dynasties

    1246 Words  | 3 Pages

    How can two dynasties that evolved in similar eras be so different? This is a question that many historians over the years have frequently asked. As the Safavids and the Ming dynasties developed in different countries they were influenced by rituals and ways of being from either their ancestors or individuals such as a ruler or emperor.

    Read More

  • Comparing the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire

    2784 Words  | 6 Pages

    The Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire were two grand empires that rose out of preexisting territories and provided relative peace over wide areas. The collapse of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE), which was the first great land-based empire in East Asia, came after a period of war, confusion, and tyrannical rule. Due to the political disorder that stemmed from the early dynastic activity, the emergence of the Han Dynasty (206 BCE- 228 CE) sprung to focus on restoring order. On the other hand, the rise of the Roman Empire (44 BCE- 476 CE) originated from consolidating authority over aristocratic landlords and overriding the democratic elements of the earlier Republic. Instead, the Roman Empire redefined the concept of “citizen” as subjects to the Roman emperor. Both empires shared similar agendas to exploit their vast territories and resources, which helped them expand their political dominance; however, despite having similar political goals and foundations, their government system, cultural ideologies and imperial expansionist natures diverged.

    Read More

  • Comparing Han China and Ancient Rome

    660 Words  | 2 Pages

    When comparing different societies in ancient history you may not think that Han China and Ancient Rome had a lot in common. These two great societies had many similarities and differences, especially in their social structures. These similarities and differences are all due to Han China’s and Ancient Rome’s governments, family structures and religions. Both of these wonderful empires lasted for approximately 400 years and had lasting effects on the lands they conquered.

    Read More

  • The Achievements of the Tang and Song Dynasties

    1139 Words  | 3 Pages

    Today we can look around ourselves and see thousands of technical innovations that make life easier; But if we take a step back and ask ourselves “How?” we will soon realize that most often, these technological advancements did not just “poof” into existence, but are usually the outcome of building upon yesterday’s technology. If we follow this cycle back into time, we can attribute almost any modern day invention to an ancient civilization during its golden age. China was no exception. China’s Song and Tang dynasties fostered scientific advances comparable to Rome’s during its Pax Romana. The most significant and impacting of these were the development of primitive gunpowder and porcelain of the Tang and paper money, and the magnetic compass of the Song Dynasties. Although these may seem very far off, if you look hard enough, you can see traces of their impacts in society today because most of the advancements today we owe to them.

    Read More

  • Tang And Song Dynasty Essay

    871 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Tang and Song Dynasties are both pertinent to China’s development. During the Tang period, which is also considered the “Golden Age”, art and literature was embraced and thrived. During the Song Dynasties, many technical inventions allowed China to grow as a nation, and emerge as one of the greatest nations in the medieval world. Both dynasties played a key role in the history of China.

    Read More

More about Examining China’s Dynasties: Change Over Time

Open Document