Changes And Continuities In China Essay

1 paragragh
China experienced the fall, absence, and eventually the re-establishment of imperial authority while Confucianism prevailed through all levels of society from the period of 100-600 C.E. The history of China has often been a history of periods of political unity interrupted by periods of political division. During the classical period from 100 C.E. to 600 C.E., the Chinese experienced the Han dynasty which was an initially strong and efficient dynasty, until it had a gradual decline and eventually collapsed. This led to a long period of chaos and finally reunification again. During this time of unification, division, and reunification, many cultural and political changes occurred while other cultural patterns and ideas persisted.
2nd
China in 100 CE was under the Han rule which had begun in 202 BCE.
Under the Han dynasty the rulers created an efficient and well governed empire. The Han expanded China hundreds of miles to the west, north, and south and had many innovations such as the expansion of the Great wall. The people followed the teachings and values of Confucianism. They were so strong that they have lasted throughout the centuries of Chinese history and is still well-known today. The Chinese civilization lived in a patriarchal society and Confucius teachings created a guide to how a good family should live. Patriarchy was a continuity for Chinese civilization during the classical period. Many of his beliefs and values survived and withstood many changes to come
3rd
Towards 200 CE things began to change and the Han dynasty began to fall. It first began with the bureaucratic system, it was becoming more corrupt with unqualified officials, etc., and the political structure of China started to fall apart. Peasants became poorer and diseases started to spread causing many to die. The nomads kept trying to invade and the unstable government didn’t do much to push them back. This ultimately led to the Han’s demise.
4th
When the Han dynasty fell in 220 CE, China was left in a state of turmoil for about 300 years called the “Warring States Period.” At this time China’s cultural unity was endangered by the spread of Buddhism. Luckily for China’s streak of continuity, the three century period of chaos ended with the rise of the Song/Tang Dynasties, which would also revive Confucianism. This was also one of China’s continuities, the rising and falling of dynasties which remained in China’s history for centuries. During the Warring States period, the Great Wall became divided between kingdoms and was poorly defended so nomads invaded and overtook the northern plains. Trade and city life declined, technology ceased, and intellectuals wasted away. In 589 CE the Song Dynasty was created which began to revive the country which had been in turmoil for so long. Bureaucracy was reinstated which a scholar gentry administration. By the time the Song era ended China was well on its way to becoming a stable nation again.

5
During the classical era, the Chinese civilization underwent major changes in their government. Despite the nomadic invasions that occurred, they remained strong and united. This was probably because China had a very solid social and political system that was based off of Confucianism and rulers who unified the Chinese culture. The cause of change in China’s government in the classical era can be due to the weakened government plus the nomadic invasions being the final blow in destroying the Han dynasty. Confucianism kept China together, socially. Despite the many changes that took place between 100 C.E. to 600 C.E., China always leveled out culturally and kept their cultural continuity due to Confucius and how his teachings united China.