The history of China is one of the oldest and most complex in the world. Over the millennia, China has developed, changed, and influenced other countries and civilizations. Here is a brief overview of the main historical stages of China:
1. Ancient China (until the 3rd century BC)
- Heavenly Beginnings: According to Chinese myths, the history of China begins with mythical rulers such as Emperor Yan Di, the Iron Emperor, and the Yellow Emperor. These myths reflect the worship of nature and the heavens.
- Shang Dynasty (c. 1600 — 1046 BC): One of the first known dynasties of China. It left behind a rich cultural heritage, including bronze artifacts and the earliest records on animal bones.
- Zhou Dynasty (1046 — 256 BC): A period when China was divided into several small kingdoms, but the philosophical and cultural foundations of China began to form. During this time, thinkers such as Confucius and Laozi emerged.
2. Imperial China (3rd century BC — 1912 AD)
- Qin Dynasty (221 — 206 BC): The first unified China under Emperor Qin Shi Huang. He also initiated the construction of the Great Wall of China. During this period, the foundations of centralized bureaucracy were established.
- Han Dynasty (206 BC — 220 AD): A golden age of Chinese culture and science, during which silk, paper, and porcelain production were developed. The Chinese Empire significantly expanded its borders.
- Three Kingdoms (220 — 280 AD): A period of civil wars when China was divided into three states — Wu, Shu, and Wei.
- Tang Dynasty (618 — 907 AD): One of the most enlightened periods in Chinese history, when the country flourished in art, literature, and science.
- Song Dynasty (960 — 1279 AD): A time of the development of trade, industry, and science. During this dynasty, China became a global leader in the production of paper and gunpowder.
- Mongol Yuan Dynasty (1271 — 1368 AD): China came under Mongol rule, which was linked to the conquests of Genghis Khan and his descendants, including the famous emperor Kublai Khan.
- Ming Dynasty (1368 — 1644 AD): China regained its independence from the Mongols and entered a period of stability, but also faced internal problems and external threats.
- Qing Dynasty (1644 — 1912 AD): The last imperial dynasty of China, founded by the Manchus. During this period, China faced numerous wars and internal revolutions, including the Opium Wars with Great Britain and the fall of the dynasty.
3. Modern China (1912 — present)
- Republic of China (1912 — 1949 AD): China became a republic after the 1911 revolution, which overthrew the last imperial dynasty of the Qing. The country was engulfed in a civil war between the Communists and the Nationalists.
- People's Republic of China (since 1949 AD): In 1949, Mao Zedong declared the founding of the People's Republic of China, and the Communist Party came to power. China began radical transformations, including the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and economic reforms in the late 20th century.
Modern China is the most populous country in the world, a leading global economy, and a political power.