Emperor K’ang-hsi was one of the greatest Chinese emperors of all time. Ruling from 1662 to 1722 he was also one of the longest ruling emperors in Chinese history and for that matter the world. K’ang-hsi brought China to long-term stability and relative wealth after years of war and chaos. Jonathan Spence writes from the eyes of K’ang-hsi getting his information from K’ang-hsi’s own writings. Though a little biased towards himself this book still provides important insight into his mind. Emperor of China is divided into six parts; In Motion, Ruling, Thinking, Growing Old, Sons, and Valedictory.
Following the collapse of the Han Dynasty in 220, China declined into an elongated term of division. China was divided and in a time of war, with a lack of leadership. It was only in the Sui Dynasty (589-618) reunited North and South China as one. The Tang (618-906) and Song (960 - 1279) Dynasties that followed created the “Golden Ages of China”. Although the Tang and Song Dynasties existed in a similar time and had a similar economy, there are also many differences between the influential dynasties such as certain aspects of their society and politics.
Emperor Gaozu unified China by doing many things. He conquered regions near the Tang, expanding the Dynasty. He also implemented rules put in place by Emperor Wen of Sui that were replaced when Emperor Yang came to power. Under his ruling, a new coin was minted and trade was promoted. (Totally History)
China was divided for almost four centuries. It became unified in 581 with the founding of the new dynasties, Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties. During the time of these dynasties, many changes took place. There were changes in the political, social, and economic structures. The first changes took place during the Sui dynasty in 581. Additional changes took place during the Tang dynasty in 618, and the Song dynasty in 960.
Emperor Gaozu unified China by doing many things. He conquered regions near the Tang, expanding the Dynasty. He also implemented rules put in place by Emperor Wen of Sui that were replaced when Emperor Yang came to power. Under his ruling, a new coin was minted and trade was promoted. (Totally History)
After much political disunity and chaos China was finally united under the Sui dynasty (589-618) and Sui emperors allowed
Shi Huangdi was a part of China. He was the first to unite all the states in China during the Warring States period and became the first self-proclaimed Emperor of China. Also to top it off, Shi Huangdi was considered a ruthless tyrant; a person who is cruel to all the people of China and is considered this in history. Shi Huangdi’s strict attitude towards the empire was essential for his Legalist beliefs. Although he is considered to be a tyrant, Shi Huangdi helped China to be in a strong, well-vised government.
In 211 BCE, another ruler was thinking the same thing about himself. Shi Huangdi looks at the field of peasants laboring away. He liberated all of China, started the production of the Great Wall of China, reformed the political system, and put down any opposition dared to show its head. He smiles to himself, remembering his claim that his
As already mentioned Genghis’ grandson and the Mongols, had reunited China. According to Chapter 12.3 in the Textbook packet it states “both China and the Mongols had a reciprocal impact on culture. The Mongols had reunited China, invented the Silk Road, and helped with trade routes. While the Chinese gave law, art and literature, more land, and many more.” Now the Chinese will not get into “cat fights” anymore thanks to the Mongols. To conclude the uniting of China was very important, since they could get along with each other
Whether he should be remembered more for his creations or his tyranny is a matter of dispute, but everyone agrees that Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, was one of the most important rulers in Chinese history.
authority. The Mongols were finally driven out of China by Zhu Yuanzhang and he became the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty and took the name of Hongwu (DuTemple 58).
Emperor Qin formed the the Qin Dynasty and became the first emperor of an integrated China at 13 years old. He was known to be a brutal and harsh leader for his techniques to conquer the remaining regions of China to become a unified state.
Rhoads Murphey describes the history of China history is on the succession of dynasties that ruled it over a period of time until around 1912 when Republic of china was formed before rising to the current People’s Republic of China was formed in 1949. In China, a dynasty was made up of Kings or emperors that came from the same family. They ruled in succession where a king could be inherited by his son or his immediate relatives. Although china’s history is majorly regarded on the basis of dynastic ruling, other small kingdoms were established that ruled different part of china. For example, in 200AD, the fall of great Han dynasty triggered formation of smaller kingdoms all over the china which were later united by a short lived Sui Dynasty that reigned between 580 and 618 AD.
My first point depicts Emperor Qin’s amazing skill as a leader, analyzing Qin’s overall impact in his society. Facts and opinions combined, Emperor Qin had a great influence over China, one that positively impacted the entire country; he unified China, creating a new type of government and standardizing many things for the Chinese.
Over a span of several decades, Wu Zetian inalterably changed life in China for woman as well the clergy and the poor. By doing so, she left a perpetual footprint on China’s long history that transcends the mere fact that she was the first woman to rule the “Red Dragon”.