River Dynasties in China

The earliest forms of civilizations were said to be located on the three river valleys of the Tigris-Euphrates River in ancient Mesopotamia, the Nile River in ancient Egypt and the Huang He and Indus River in ancient India and China. These three river valley civilizations had many differences yet still lived common life styles. Although the civilizations are located on different continents, they share similar social, political, and economic beliefs from their intellectual developments to types of government to religious beliefs and trading systems.

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.

The Great Wall probably remains his most famous contribution to Chinese civilization. The wall scaled off walls originally built for defense against nomads and served as protection as well as a punishment for those who broke Qin laws. Due to the strict nature of the law code and the efficiency of the Qin government, many Chinese were sentenced to construction labor. The new infrastructure, including highways, canals, and irrigation systems, connected distant regions together and allowed the central government to more effectively carry out duties (53). The new routes undoubtedly facilitated travel and

In fact, the Chinese were the first civilization to have dynasties. A dynasty is a ruling family. New dynasties mean very new things for the people of China. Whenever someone new took over they would lower taxes, restore peace and rebuild the roads and irrigation systems. As the dynasty aged they would eventually raise taxes. This would get the people very mad. People revolted because they were mad at all the problems going on. Then a new dynasty will take over. This continues for every dynasty. This is also called the Dynastic Cycle. Another thing the Chinese invented was the compass. We still use the compass today to tell us what direction to go in. The Chinese civilization’s achievements had a large effect on our life

Each consisted of two sections—an elevated citadel, or fortress, and a lower residential area.The Shang may simply be one of several early Chinese civilizations. But it is China’s first historical state. That is, the Shang were the first to record their dynasty’s history using a formal writing

These three civilizations created cultures that built societies and people for future generations. Starting around 3100 BC they began. The rule of King Menes began the Egyptian civilization by unifying the Upper and Lower Egypt into one kingdom (Duiker and Speilvogel 17). The Mesopotamian civilization located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, began with the Sumerians people (Duiker and Speilvogel 9). Also, in now what is modern day India, another civilization began. It was located in the Indus River Valley with the Harappan people (Duiker and Speilvogel 38). Three early civilizations laid the foundation for what would be the progression of future civilizations, all of which would greatly influenced the world.

Ancient river valley civilizations are one of the earliest societies in the world. The rises of these ancient river valley civilizations started the first cradle of civilization. The Indus Valley Civilization, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Mesopotamia, and Ancient China are the earliest civilizations that were successful enough to make enough food for everybody. Every one of these civilizations had three things in common: they all had a special relationship with the river, they created their own writing system, and they all relied on trade.

Systems of government have a major influence on the development and success of a civilization and culture. This can be said about Athens during its Golden Age and about China during the Han dynasty. Han China was ruled by an imperial bureaucracy based upon the teachings of Confucius which allowed only a tiny part of its population to participate in government. In contrast, 5th Century Athens was a direct democracy which allowed a greater number of its inhabitants to take part in governing. These civilizations differed greatly in geography, population and size which influenced their development. They also held contrasting beliefs regarding the source of political authority and how it was maintained. However, these civilizations also shared

The Han Dynasty lasted from 206 B.C. until 220 A.D., making them one of China’s longest lasting empires. Their power and reputation rivaled that of the Roman Empire, which was also around at the same time. With only a few moments when they had some difficulties, they lasted four centuries that went through the times of B.C. and through the A.D. times. The Han Dynasty was thought to be the golden age of the Chinese, with their main points of development being in politics, technology, and the arts. Every following Chinese dynasty looked to the Han dynasty as their role model.

Chinese invented iron casting in the fifth century BCE. Tools made were used for decorative purposes in upper class, and also agricultural purposes. Iron weapons were developed for warfare.

China is the world's oldest civilization, with recorded history from almost 4,000 years ago. In that time it has had many dynasties such as the Qin dynasty, Han dynasty, Sui dynasty, Zhou dynasty, Song dynasty, Yuan dynasty, Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty. For 300 years China was divided into three kingdoms: the Wei, the Shu, and the Wu, but they reunited during the Sui dynasty in 581. The last of the Chinese dynasties was the Qing dynasty which started in 1644.

The Qin dynasty lasted from 221 B.C. to 206 B.C. Its founder was the First Emperor of China. He wanted to unify the nation. He made a standard measurement system for all of china. The standardization of the Chinese characters was considered the most important of changes in this dynasty.

Perhaps the most famous thing we have inherited from Ancient China, however, is the Great Wall. One of the eight wonders of the ancient world, construction first began on this gigantic border fortification was built from stone, brick, tamped earth and wood during the Shang Dynasty in the 7th Century BC. Some of its most famous parts were constructed as the era that we know as Ancient China was drawing to a close in the 3rd Century BC by the man who would unify China into a country bearing his name, Emperor Qin Shi Huang.

Chinese culture is truly one of the great civilization our world has come across. It boasts a vast geographic expanse, over 4000 years of written history, as well as a rich and profound traditional society. Many aspects of Chinese civilization can be traced back many centuries. It is so diverse and unique, yet harmoniously blended, and presents itself a priceless benefit to the world.

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.