Divided into Western Han (206 BC- 25 AD) and Eastern Han (25-220 AD) The Han Dynasty was one of China’s Golden Ages, when developments in commerce, natural sciences, and the arts reached new heights. Militarily strong, the Han Empire expanded to Central Asia– reaching as far as modern day Vietnam and Korea. To increase their […]
The Ming Dynasty [1368-1644 ]
The Ming dynasty was one of the longest and most stable periods in Chinese history. Despite early naval explorations, the Ming dynasty was mostly inward-looking and insular—preferring to buffer China from the outside world. The best symbol of this was the Great Wall of China, which was extensively rebuilt and expanded during the Ming (the […]
The Deng Years: An Impressive Turnaround
After Mao dies, Deng reemerges from exile and becomes China’s new (informal) leader after a tough power struggle. The country is ready to move on. The new post-Mao government uses the face-saving formula that Mao had been “70% right, 30% wrong” (exceedingly generous if you ask me). “Socialism with Chinese Characteristics” Much more of a […]
The Republic of China [1912-1949 ]
If the second half of the 19th century was bad, the first half of 20th would be worse. Millions more would die after an unrelenting succession of wars, floods, drought and famine. After the fall of empire, China’s political landscape changed dramatically and would soon be dominated by the Kuomintang (KMT or Nationalist Party) and […]
The Mao Years [ 1949-1976 ]
The first years of the China under Mao rule was greeted with relief and joy after decades of conflict. With moral confidence, the CCP got off on a good start—ridding the streets of prostitutes, gangs and opium dens. Women were given a better deal too—granted equal status and the right to divorce (pre-arranged marriages also […]
THE QIN DYNASTY [ 221-206 BC ]
Historians point out that it’s curious that climactic events around the world were unfolding around this same period…even though far apart and totally unconnected. CHINA’S FIRST UNIFIED EMPIRE When the Qin dynasty started, civilizations of Egypt and Greece were in deep decline while the emergent state of Rome barely controlled the Italian peninsula. In Africa, […]