History of China facts for kids
The history of China is very long, going back thousands of years. It covers a huge area with many different people and languages. Chinese civilization first started in the Yellow River valley. This area, along with the Yangtze basin, is the heart of Chinese culture.
Traditionally, Chinese history is seen as a series of dynasties. These are ruling families that rise to power, have a period of success, and then eventually fall. This idea suggests that Chinese civilization has continued without a break for thousands of years. It is one of the world's first civilizations. At different times, Chinese states controlled lands stretching far west, north, and south.
The Stone Age saw early communities grow more complex along the Yellow and Yangtze rivers. The Erlitou culture might be linked to the Xia dynasty (around 2070–1600 BCE). The oldest Chinese writing found is from about 1250 BCE. It is on oracle bones used for telling the future. The Zhou dynasty (around 1046–256 BCE) was a very important time. Ideas like the Mandate of Heaven appeared. Philosophies like Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism also began then.
China was first united under one ruler by Qin Shi Huang in 221 BCE. He made rules for writing, weights, and laws the same everywhere. The Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE) followed. This was a key time for China. The main Chinese ethnic group is still called Han Chinese. The Han empire grew very large. Confucianism became the official way of thinking. Paper was invented, which helped spread written knowledge. China became known for its silk production. After the Han dynasty ended, China had a long period of disunity. During this time, Buddhism became very important in Chinese culture.
A new period of unity began in 581 CE with the Sui dynasty. This led to the long and successful Tang dynasty (608–907 CE). The Tang era is seen as another golden age for China. Science, technology, poetry, and trade all grew. China's first official empress, Wu Zetian, ruled during this time. After the Tang dynasty, the Song dynasty (960–1279 CE) brought more growth. Mechanical printing was invented. The imperial examination system helped choose government officials.
Later, the Mongol Empire conquered China, starting the Yuan dynasty in 1271. During the next Ming dynasty (1368–1644), China explored the world and created beautiful porcelain. Many parts of the Grand Canal and Great Wall were rebuilt. The Qing dynasty (1644–1912) was ruled by the Manchu people. It was the largest Chinese empire ever. But China faced more and more conflicts with European countries. This led to the Opium Wars and unfair treaties.
The Xinhai Revolution in 1911 led to the creation of the modern Republic of China. From 1927, a civil war happened between the Republican government and the Chinese Red Army. Japan also invaded China. After the Communist victory, Mao Zedong started the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949. The Republic of China government moved to Taiwan. Both still claim to be the true government of China. The PRC has grown to be a major world economy.
Contents
Ancient China's Beginnings
Early Humans and Stone Age Life (1.7 Million – 12 Thousand Years Ago)
Early human species like Homo erectus arrived in Asia a long time ago. Their remains have been found in what is now China. The oldest is Yuanmou Man from about 1.7 million years ago. Another famous one is Peking Man, found near Beijing, from about 700,000 to 400,000 years ago. Evidence shows these early humans used fire.
Later, modern humans (H. sapiens) appeared. The oldest modern human fossils in China are from about 120,000–80,000 years ago.
Farming and Early Villages (Neolithic Age)
The Stone Age in China began about 10,000 years ago. This was when people started farming. The earliest evidence of rice farming is from 8,000 years ago near the Yangtze River. Millet farming in the Yellow River valley started around 7000 BCE.
The Jiahu site is a well-preserved early farming village. Early symbols, like proto-writing, were found there from around 7000 BCE. Farming led to more people and the ability to store food. This allowed for specialized workers and leaders. Important cultures of this time include the Yangshao culture and the Longshan culture. Pigs and dogs were the first animals to be tamed. Later, cattle and sheep arrived from Western Asia.
Bronze Age Discoveries
Bronze objects have been found from the Majiayao culture (3100–2700 BCE). The Sanxingdui site in Sichuan is believed to be a major ancient city. It belonged to a previously unknown Bronze Age culture (2000–1200 BCE). Iron use began to appear later, around the 6th century BCE.
China's First Dynasties
The Xia Dynasty (2070–1600 BC)
The Xia dynasty is the first dynasty mentioned in ancient Chinese history books. However, Western scholars often see it as a legend. In China, it is linked to the early Bronze Age site at Erlitou. No writing has been found at Erlitou. So, we can't fully prove the Xia dynasty existed. But the Erlitou site shows a complex society. It has the earliest evidence of bronze vessels used in rituals.
The Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC)
We know the Shang dynasty existed because of archaeological finds. These include oracle bones and bronze objects. Many discoveries come from Anyang, the last Shang capital. The oracle bones have the earliest Chinese writing found so far. They show records of telling the future from around 1250 to 1046 BCE.
At least 29 kings ruled the Shang dynasty. Their capital city was moved six times. The last move was to Yin around 1300 BCE. The Shang dynasty was a powerful civilization. But it likely coexisted and traded with other cultures in the area.
The Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BC)
The Zhou dynasty was the longest-lasting dynasty in Chinese history. It ruled for almost 800 years. The Zhou kings introduced the idea of the Mandate of Heaven. This meant that Heaven (tian) chose who would rule China. If a ruler was bad, Heaven would take away their mandate. This would lead to a new ruling family.
Spring and Autumn Period (722–476 BC)
In 771 BCE, the Zhou king was defeated. This started the Eastern Zhou period. It is divided into the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. During the Spring and Autumn period, the Zhou empire broke into many small states. These states began to fight each other for power. Stronger states conquered weaker ones. Many new cities were built. Famous thinkers like Laozi, Confucius, and Sun Tzu lived during this time. Their ideas, like Confucianism and Taoism, greatly influenced Chinese culture.
Warring States Period (476–221 BC)
After more fighting, only seven strong states remained. This time is known as the Warring States period. The Zhou king had very little power. Many new ideas and inventions came from this period. This included a very early multiplication table. States also developed new ways to govern their lands.
The state of Qin became the strongest. Its final expansion began under Ying Zheng. He conquered the other six states. This allowed him to declare himself China's first emperor.
Imperial China Begins
The Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC)
Qin Shi Huang started the Qin dynasty in 221 BCE. This made China an empire. The name "China" likely comes from "Qin." The emperor wanted to rule alone. He called himself "First August Emperor." This title became standard for later rulers. The empire was run by a strong central government.
The Qin government followed Legalism. This idea focused on strict laws and harsh punishments. It also encouraged farming and limited trade. Weights, measures, writing styles, and money were all made the same. Qin Shi Huang ordered the building of a huge system of roads. He also had generals combine many old walls into what we now call the Great Wall of China.
After Qin Shi Huang died, the Qin government quickly fell apart. Rebels captured the capital. This led to the start of the Han Empire.
The Han Dynasty (206 BC – AD 220)
The Han dynasty was a golden age for China. It brought a long period of peace and wealth. China became a unified state with a central government. The Han empire grew to cover most of modern China. Confucianism became the official way of thinking. Art, culture, and science all reached new heights. The Chinese people are still called "Han Chinese" today.
Emperor Wu of Han made the empire very strong. He supported Confucianism and set up imperial universities. He also created government monopolies to help the economy. The Han launched major military campaigns against the Xiongnu Empire to the north. They also opened the Silk Road, which connected China to the West. This brought trade and new cultures, including Buddhism.
After Emperor Wu, the empire slowly declined. The government's money was used up by too many campaigns. Rich families bought up land, which reduced taxes. The dynasty was briefly interrupted by Wang Mang.
The Xin Dynasty (AD 9–23)
In 9 CE, Wang Mang took over and started the short-lived Xin dynasty. He tried to make big changes to land ownership and the economy. He even outlawed slavery. But rich families didn't support his plans. This caused problems and uprisings. The Yellow River also flooded, causing many farmers to lose their homes. Wang Mang was killed in 23 CE.
The Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25–220)
Emperor Guangwu brought back the Han dynasty. The capital was moved to Luoyang in the east. This new era is called the Eastern Han dynasty. The empire regained its glory. The Xiongnu Empire was defeated. The general Ban Chao expanded Chinese control to the Pamirs. This reopened the Silk Road. Trade with the West grew, and Roman embassies visited China.
The Eastern Han dynasty was a time of great scientific and technological progress. Cai Lun invented papermaking. The famous scientist Zhang Heng made many contributions to science and math.
Periods of Division and Reunification
The Three Kingdoms (AD 220–280)
By the 2nd century, the Han empire weakened. Land was taken by powerful families. Invasions and fights between powerful groups caused problems. The Yellow Turban Rebellion in 184 CE led to an era of warlords. Three states emerged from the chaos: Wei, Shu, and Wu. They all tried to unite China. This period is famous from the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
The Jin Dynasty (AD 266–420)
The Jin dynasty briefly reunited China in 280 CE. But it was weakened by internal wars. It lost control of northern China to non-Chinese settlers who rebelled. In 317 CE, the Jin prince Sima Rui continued the dynasty in southern China. This part is known as the Eastern Jin.
Sixteen Kingdoms and Northern & Southern Dynasties (AD 304–589)
Northern China broke into many independent states. These were called the Sixteen Kingdoms. Most were founded by non-Han peoples like the Xiongnu and Xianbei. Many of these groups had already adopted some Chinese customs. Warfare in the north caused many Han Chinese to move south.
In the early 5th century, China entered the Northern and Southern dynasties period. Two separate governments ruled the north and south. In the south, Han Chinese families ruled. They kept many aspects of Chinese civilization alive. In the north, nomadic peoples unified the region. Despite the division, Buddhism spread widely throughout China.
The Sui Dynasty (581–618)
The short-lived Sui dynasty was very important. Emperor Wen reunited China in 589 CE. This ended three centuries of division. The Sui started many new government systems. These included imperial examinations to choose officials. They also improved army recruitment and land distribution. These policies led to a huge population increase.
The Sui dynasty built many large projects. The Grand Canal was built to connect the capitals to wealthy southern China. The Great Wall was also expanded. However, costly invasions of the Korean Peninsula failed. This led to widespread revolts and the fall of the dynasty.
The Tang Dynasty (618–907)
The Tang dynasty was a golden age for Chinese civilization. It was a time of great wealth, stability, and creativity. Culture, art, literature (especially poetry), and technology all developed greatly. Buddhism became very popular. Chang'an (modern Xi'an) was the largest city in the world.
Emperor Taizong was one of China's greatest emperors. He used military victories and diplomacy to expand the empire. The Silk Road remained open, connecting China to Central Asia. Trade by sea also grew. Tang culture and systems were adopted by neighboring countries, especially Japan.
The government was well-organized. Officials were chosen through imperial examinations. Land was given to families by the emperor. Men also had to serve in the military. These policies helped the empire grow quickly.
Empress Wu Zetian was the only official empress to rule China. The dynasty reached its peak under Emperor Xuanzong. Famous poets like Li Bai and Du Fu lived then.
However, the An Lushan Rebellion (755–763) greatly weakened the central government. Regional military governors gained more power. Later, the Huang Chao Rebellion (874–884) devastated the empire. These events led to the fall of the dynasty.
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907–960)
After the Tang dynasty, China was divided again. This period lasted from 907 to 960 CE. Five different governments quickly took control of northern China. More stable, smaller kingdoms existed in the south and west.
During this time, a strategic region was given to the Khitan Liao dynasty. This weakened China's defenses against northern nomadic empires. Vietnam also gained lasting independence. Wars in the north caused many people to move south. This shifted China's cultural and economic centers. The era ended when Zhao Kuangyin started the Song dynasty and reunited China.
Later Imperial China
Song, Liao, Jin, and Western Xia Dynasties (960–1279)
The Song dynasty was founded in 960 CE. It reunited most of China. But large areas were ruled by other empires. The Khitan Liao dynasty ruled parts of northern China. The Tangut tribes founded the Western Xia dynasty in the northwest.
The Song dynasty tried to regain lost lands but failed. They had to pay yearly tributes to the Liao dynasty. This was a big change from China's usual power. However, this trade also helped the Song economy grow.
Later, the Jurchen tribes started the Jin dynasty in 1115. They conquered the Liao dynasty. In 1127, the Jin invaded the Song capital, Kaifeng. This ended the Northern Song dynasty. The Song court moved south and started the Southern Song dynasty. China was divided among the Song, Jin, and Western Xia dynasties. This era ended with the Mongol conquest.
Despite military weakness, the Song dynasty was a high point for Chinese civilization. The economy was very advanced. The population grew to over 100 million. Living standards improved due to better farming and coal use. Cities like Kaifeng and Hangzhou were the largest in the world.
Trade by sea grew. Chinese coins were used as money in many places. The first paper money was used in the city of Chengdu. The Song dynasty also saw great advances in science and technology. Inventions included the astronomical clock and woodblock printing.
The Song dynasty was also important for military history. Gunpowder, invented earlier, was first used in battles by the Song army. They developed new firearms and siege engines. China's first standing navy was created in 1132.
The Mongol conquest brought an end to the Song dynasty. The population dropped sharply. The Southern Song capital, Hangzhou, fell in 1276. The last Song navy was defeated in 1279.
The Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368)
The Yuan dynasty was started by Kublai Khan in 1271. He was a grandson of Genghis Khan. Kublai Khan became the Emperor of China. The Mongols had conquered northern China and then the Southern Song dynasty. The Yuan dynasty was the first time a non-Chinese group ruled all of China. It also controlled the Mongol homeland and other regions.
The Yuan dynasty's capital was Khanbaliq (modern Beijing). The Grand Canal was rebuilt to connect the capital to southern China. This made Beijing an important capital for future dynasties.
This era was known as Pax Mongolica (Mongol Peace). The Silk Road was controlled by one state. This made trade and cultural exchange easier. Marco Polo, a traveler from Venice, lived in China for decades. His detailed travel records inspired Europeans. The Yuan dynasty was also the first to widely use paper money. But too much printing later caused hyperinflation.
The Mongol rulers adopted some Chinese culture. But they also kept their own nomadic customs. Many foreign migrants settled in China. They had higher social status than most Han Chinese. The traditional Chinese scholars lost some influence. This led to the growth of popular culture, like plays and novels.
The Mongol invasion caused a huge drop in China's population. Some historians believe it was due to fighting and disease. In the 14th century, the plague also killed many people.
Eventually, natural disasters and bad government led to peasant uprisings. Zhu Yuanzhang defeated other rebel forces. He started the Ming dynasty in 1368. The Yuan rulers fled back to Mongolia.
The Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)
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The Ming dynasty was founded by Zhu Yuanzhang in 1368. He was the only Chinese emperor to come from a peasant background. The capital was first Nanjing, then moved to Beijing by the Yongle Emperor.
Cities grew as the population increased. Small industries like paper, silk, and porcelain production flourished. China under the early Ming dynasty was not isolated. Trade with other countries, especially Japan, increased. Chinese merchants explored the Indian Ocean, reaching East Africa with the voyages of Zheng He.
The Hongwu Emperor focused on agriculture. He broke up large landholdings and rented them out. Private slavery was forbidden. This helped reduce poverty. The Ming government was strong and centralized. The emperor became more powerful.
The Yongle Emperor tried to expand China's influence. He built a large navy and a huge army. Chinese armies conquered Vietnam for about 20 years. The Chinese fleet sailed the Indian Ocean. The Grand Canal was expanded. The Forbidden City in Beijing was built.
In 1449, Mongol invaders captured the Zhengtong Emperor. After this, the Ming built and repaired most of what we see of the Ming Great Wall today.
At sea, the Ming became more isolated after the Yongle Emperor's death. Overseas voyages were stopped. Laws banned Chinese people from sailing abroad. European traders tried to reach China, but the Ming navy often pushed them away. This led to widespread piracy along the coast. The Portuguese were allowed to settle in Macau for trade in 1557.
In 1556, the Shaanxi earthquake killed about 830,000 people. This was the deadliest earthquake ever.
The Ming dynasty helped Korea fight against Japanese invasions. This saved their ally, the Joseon dynasty. But it cost the Ming many resources. Meanwhile, the Manchu tribes in the northeast grew stronger. They formed the Qing dynasty. The Ming army had to guard the Great Wall against them. This weakened their ability to stop internal peasant uprisings.
The Qing Dynasty (1644–1912)
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The Qing dynasty (1644–1912) was China's last imperial dynasty. It was founded by the Manchus. They were from outside the Great Wall. The Qing roughly doubled the territory controlled by the Ming. In 1644, a peasant rebellion captured Beijing. The last Ming emperor took his own life. The Manchus then allied with a Ming general to take Beijing. They made it their capital.
The Manchus made Han Chinese men wear the Manchu queue hairstyle. Officials had to wear Manchu-style clothes. The Kangxi Emperor ordered the creation of the Kangxi Dictionary, a huge dictionary of Chinese characters.
The Qing empire grew very large. By the end of the Qianlong Emperor's reign in 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of the world's population. It had the largest economy and was one of the largest empires by area.
In the 19th century, the empire faced problems. It was threatened by Western powers. The British defeated China in the First Opium War (1840). This led to the Treaty of Nanking, which gave Hong Kong to Britain. It also allowed opium to be imported. More military defeats and unfair treaties followed.
Inside China, the Taiping Rebellion (1851–1864) was a huge civil war. It was led by a Christian religious movement. It caused massive loss of life, with about 20 million deaths. Many other rebellions followed. These seriously weakened the central government.
The Qing court tried to reform China. This was called the Self-Strengthening Movement. They imported Western factories and technology. But these reforms were often stopped by rivalries. In 1894–1895, China lost the First Sino-Japanese War.
In 1900, the Boxer Uprising fought against foreign influence. They murdered Chinese Christians and foreign missionaries. An Eight-Nation Alliance of foreign troops invaded China and defeated the Boxers. The Qing government had to pay a huge amount of money.
The Qing court then tried new reforms. But young officials and students wanted more change. They were inspired by ideas of a republic. A military uprising began in 1911. The Republic of China was declared on January 1, 1912. This ended 2,000 years of dynastic rule.
Modern China's Journey
The Republic of China (since 1912)
The Republic of China was formed in 1912. Sun Yat-sen became president. But he soon gave power to Yuan Shikai, a military leader. Yuan tried to make himself emperor but failed. His death in 1916 led to a period where different warlords ruled parts of China.
In 1919, the May Fourth Movement began. Students protested against unfair terms in the Treaty of Versailles after World War I. China refused to sign the treaty.
In the 1920s, Sun Yat-sen worked to unite China. He allied with the new Communist Party of China (CCP). After Sun's death, Chiang Kai-shek took over the Nationalist Party (KMT). He united most of southern and central China. In 1927, Chiang turned against the Communists. The CCP forces went on the Long March to the northwest. There, Mao Zedong became their new leader.
The Chinese Civil War between the Nationalists and Communists continued. From 1931 to 1945, Japan occupied parts of China. The two Chinese parties briefly formed a United Front to fight Japan in the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945). This was part of World War II. Japan committed many terrible acts against civilians. China was recognized as one of the main Allies in the war.
After Japan's defeat in 1945, the civil war restarted. By 1949, the CCP controlled most of mainland China. The Nationalist government, led by Chiang Kai-shek, moved to Taiwan. They had taken control of Taiwan after Japan's surrender.
For many years, the Republic of China (ROC) in Taiwan was recognized as the only legitimate government of China by the United Nations and many Western countries. This changed in 1971 when the PRC took China's seat in the UN. The KMT ruled Taiwan under martial law until 1987. In the 1990s, Taiwan became more democratic. The first direct presidential election was held in 1996.
The People's Republic of China (since 1949)
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Major fighting in the Chinese Civil War ended in 1949. The KMT moved to Taiwan. On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong declared the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Mao's government made big changes. The Great Leap Forward was a plan for economic and social reforms. It led to many deaths. Mao's government also carried out actions against landowners and set up labor camps. In 1966, Mao started the Cultural Revolution. This caused major problems in Chinese society and continued until Mao's death in 1976.
After Mao's death, Deng Xiaoping became the leader. He started economic reforms. The government loosened control over people's lives. Farming communities were changed, and peasants got more land leases. This greatly increased food production. Many free market areas were opened, like Shenzhen. This changed China from a planned economy to a mixed economy.
In 1989, the Tiananmen Square protests happened. Students and others protested for more political reform and freedom. The protests were ended by the Army, with some people losing their lives. This event brought worldwide criticism.
In the 1990s, China's economy grew very fast. Millions of people were lifted out of poverty. China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001. Hong Kong (1997) and Macau (1999) became special regions of China.
The government began to worry about the environment and unequal wealth. Living standards improved for many, but political controls remained strict. In recent years, there have been concerns about human rights in the Xinjiang region.
In 2019, the novel coronavirus was first found in Wuhan. This led to the global pandemic.
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The People's Liberation Army enters Beijing in 1949.
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People's Republic of China 10th Anniversary Parade in Beijing.
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The flag of the People's Republic of China since 1949.
See also
In Spanish: Historia de China para niños
- Chinese exploration
- Chinese historiography
- Christianity in China
- Economic history of China
- Ethnic groups in Chinese history
- Foreign relations of imperial China
- Golden ages of China
- History of canals in China
- History of Islam in China
- History of science and technology in China
- History of Taiwan
- History of the Great Wall of China
- List of Chinese monarchs
- List of rebellions in China
- Military history of China before 1912
- Naval history of China
- Population history of China
- Timeline of Chinese history
- Women in ancient and imperial China
