The Northern and Southern Dynasties period (386 - 589) was a time of division in Chinese history, during which the Yellow River watershed of China first experienced a period of cultural transformation under the rule of a minority group.
After the fall of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317 - 420), four regimes - the Song, the Qi, the Liang, and the Chen appeared one after the other in south China. In north China the Northern Wei, the Eastern Wei, the Western Wei, the Northern Qi, and the Northern Zhou regimes also emerged at the same time. In Chinese history, the northern and southern regimes together are known as the Northern and Southern Dynasties. This period of time began in 386 and ended in 589, during which time China experienced 203 years of division and wars.
The Southern Dynasties
In 420, General Liu Yu deposed the emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, made himself emperor, and made Song the state title. Learning a lesson from the destruction of the Eastern Jin, Liu Yu refused to give important positions to noble families. Because he himself was from a poor family, he favored those of similar background to his and gave military power to his sons. As a result, the Song didn't repeat the mistake of the Eastern Jin. Unexpectedly, there was fighting and killing among the sons. In 422, Liu Yu died, and Emperor Wendi inherited the throne ruling for 30 years. Song experienced a prosperous period of time under the reign of Emperor Wendi, during which time the economy and culture both developed. Although there were wars against the Northern Wei in north China, each side achieved victories and suffered defeats, balancing power between the north and south. In 454, Wendi died, and Emperor Wudi took over the throne followed by Emperor Mingdi. They were both tyrants who killed their brothers and distrusted their ministers and generals. During their rule state politics fell into disorder. In 479, Minister Xiao Daocheng seized