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When you talk about the history of China, you have to go back in time starting in the Bronze Age which is the time of China's first dynasties: namely the Xia-, the Shang- and the Zhou-Dynasty. The Powerplay among and within these Chinese dynasties would continue throughout China's history. But intrigues and wars were often followed by eras of great prosperity and innovation. And so it is no wonder that things like the codification of law can be traced back to the dynasties at the Yellow River. Follow Guy to learn all about ancient China on IT'S HISTORY.
The invention of script, paper and printing can be credited to the Chinese. It was in China that Cai Lun, in his emperor’s service, made the production of paper suitable for the masses. Originally planned as a means to wrap things in, it soon became obvious that paper was more suitable for writing than the common bamboo stick. Guy will explain, how the Chinese printed written pages long before Gutenberg was born, how Chinese writing actually works and how emperor Qin tried to establish the standardized Chinese Han Characters, or Hanzi, attempting to unify the writing symbols for his country.
Confucius is probably the best known Chinese philosopher of all times. Although he developed his theories about 2500 years ago, his ancient ideas of morality can still be applied today. He taught his philosophies of confucianism at his "School of Ru". Little is known about his life and biography but his maxims have survived and to this days are practised in the religion of Confucianism. His so-called five constants, made up of humanity, tradition, rectitude, scrupulousness and knowledge should help humanity become content and make the best out of their worldliness. All about Master Kung in this episode of IT'S HISTORY.
Some linguists say, the name of today's China originates from the name of the Qin dynasty. Marking the beginning of the age of empire in China and founded by Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of imperial China. Qin arrange for the first version of the Great Wall to be built and ushered a new era of military tactics, appointing many peasants as soldiers. Following great changes and ambitious totaliarism the people revolted against the imperial family. Thus, shortly after, the Qin dynasty was to fall to the Han dynasty. Declared by Emperor Gaozu, an era of great expansion began, including contacting the Roman Empire and developing the Silk Road trade highway. Many industrial innovations and inventions were developedduring that era Lasting for 600 years, with a short interregnum of the Xin dynasty. All about the true birth of Imperial China in this episode of IT’S HISTORY.
Kung fu, tai chi, Wing Chun - China's martial arts have many faces. Used as a mean of attack, self-defense or merely to train for the perfect balance between body and mind, many of the techniques have established themselves as active sports to this day. But where did the tradition orginate? What did the Shaolin Monks have to do with it? And how did these techniques find their way to the big screen? Explore the history of martial arts with Guy on IT'S HISTORY!
The Three Teachings Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism have been a backbone of Chinese society and culture since the bronze age. The Three teachings are still intertwined strongly with today's China. There are different interpretations to China's chore faiths. Over time, different dynasties favoured different faiths, if only to define themselves against their predecessor. Ultimately though, its all about the philosophy of combining spirituality with every day life. All about the Three Teachings now on IT'S HISTORY.
The Tang Dynasty has left legacies that remained until the end of imperial China. Founded after the victory of Li Yuan, who became the first Emperor of the Tang. He soon would fall to his son Li Shimin, known as Taozong who quickly introduced many reforms. Expanding massively and increasing export, the Golden Age of China would beginn. But the fall would follow soon after the great rise of the Chinese Empire. Following a short interregnum by the first and only female Empress Wu Zetian, the beginning of the Second Tang Dynasty would at the same time usher the end of this influential period. All about the rise and fall of this dynasty now on IT'S HISTORY.
Wu Zetian was the first and only Empress of China. Skillfully, she worked her way up, entering the imperial court of Emperor Tang Taizong as a concubine. After his death she would marry his son, Emperor Kaozong. Later she would ruthlessly dethrone two of her own sons and take power herself, effectively introducing an interregnum to the Tang dynasty. During her very own Zhou dynasty she was known as a kind and fair ruler and made Buddhism state religion. Learn all about the Biography of one of the most popular and at the same time merciless women in Chinese history in today's episode of IT'S HISTORY.
Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" is a book on military strategies written around 500 BC, between the collapse of the Zhou dynasty and the rise of the first emperor of imperial China. Today Tzu's guidelines are still as applicable as ever. They are still being read by military commanders, politicians and businesspeople all over the world. Also known as "Master Sun's Military Methods", the book explains basics like the "Strategy of Attack", "Moving the Army" and even "Employing Spies" in 13 short chapters, restricting itselfs to general principles rather than detailed instructions of strategy and tactics. Learn all about this timeless and influencial military masterpiece on IT'S HISTORY.
The Song dynasty is often described as an early modern economy. It marked a lot of economical changes from previous dynasties. Starting with the decentralisation of power and reduced economical involvement, it brought on industrial growth and agricultural expansion. Although being forced to advance in military technology due to wars with the Liao and the Jurchen, the Song would eventually fall to the Mongols. Crumbling under Genghis Khan's attacks it would only take one generation until his successor Kublai Khan would declare a new Yuan Dynasty. Find out all about this Epoch on IT'S HISTORY!
Dao, Gun, Jian and Quiang are the four main traditional fighting weapons of China. Even though, the Chinese had already invented gunpowder by the end of the tenth century. So besides of having an arsenal of swords, spears, sabres, crossbows and bow and arrows, the Chinese military could also choose from cannons, rockets, mines and even handheld firearms. Still, close combat would remain the favoured means of battle for a long time. All about the history of Chinas weaponry now on IT'S HISTORY!
The legendary Battle of the Red Cliffs marks the end of the four century old Han dynasty. Poverty, famine and floods lead to uprisings such as the Rebellion of the Yellow Turbans. The weakened empire got split into smaller regions after the death of Emperor Ling. It was only under imperial general Cao Cao that the empire managed to reunite the northern territories. Shortly after, Cao set off to conquer the land south of the Yangtze River and reunite the former territory of the Eastern Han. His efforts were crushed by the allied forces of the southern warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan who held up their line of defence. Find out all about the battle that would mark the beginning of the Three Kingdoms' aera, now on IT'S HISTORY.
With the dynasties of the Ming and the Qing came social security and flourishing international trade. The White Lotus Movement advocated progressive thinking in the time of the conservative Ming dynasty. In 1616 the Qing dynasty came to power. Also known as the Manchu dynasty, the Qing refused to open their borders to limitless trade which led to frustrated European merchants. This caused hostility and mistrust of the "barbaric Chinese". Shortly thereafter China's economy lost its race against European Colonialism and would lose military influence after gunpowder reached Europe. All about the fall of the former Chinese superpower in this episode on IT'S HISTORY!
Imperial China was a great seafaring nation. With the invention of the junks, massive, nearly unsinkable ships, it is safe to say that by the 14th century China had the best sea vessels in the world. The invention of the compass made navigation as trustworthy as never before and Admiral Zheng He's treasure fleet eagerly explored the Seven Seas. The first Chinese navy also depended on the mighty junk for their fighting tactics. But not all emperors were convinced of seefare and so the Chinese maritime power ended somewhat abruptly, giving the rest of the world time to catch up. Learn all about China on the water on IT'S HISTORY.
The Opium War started as a dispute over trading rights between China and Great Britain. Regular trade between Europe and the Chinese had been ongoing for centuries. But China's trading restrictions frustrated the British who were eager to supply the Chinese people with the increasingly popular narcotic Opium. Circumventing the government's attempts to ban opium trade by smuggling and bribery, China declared the death sentence on Opium smuggling and refused to compensate British tradesmen for any losses. Furiously, the Brits sent out a fleet to demand compensation and end the Cohong trading monopoly. Fierce battles and attacks on the Chinese coast were followed. Find out all about the First Opium War from Indy in our new episode of Battlefields!
The period between the 1840s and the 1940s is known as China’s Century of Humiliation. During this time, the country suffered huge internal fragmentation, embarrassing loss of territory and invasion from powers that had, for thousands of years, been inferior to China. Invasions were followed by uprising and revolutions, forcing Imperial China to its knees. Learn all about the era that led to the foundation of the Republic of China in this episode of IT'S HISTORY.
The Boxer Rebellion was one of China's biggest uprisings against the unwanted European, US-American and Japanese Imperialism. Distrust and tensions marked all contacts with foreigners. Secret societies were formed to propagate against the enemy. The Yihequan, also known as Boxers, quickly rose to one of the biggest organisations in Northern China. Masters of close combat, they mainly targeted converted Chinese Christians and attacks increased wildly in the 1880s. From 1900 Empress Dowager Cixi was less and less opposed to the Rebellion, as she hoped to fight back foreign influence. Shortly after, even the Chinese Army started helping the rebels and foreigners were fought, killed or driven out. Consequently, an alliance of the imperial powers sent in 50.000 soldiers to end the massacre. Tough reprisals and treaties followed. Learn all about the Boxer Rebellion on IT'S HISTORY.
Empress Dowager Cixi took over the rule of mighty Imperial China in the late 19th century. After her son Tongzhi succeeded his father Emperor Xianfeng, she made herself custodian to the minor emperor on the dragon throne. During audiences she sat behind the curtains and determined what the Chinese ruler would "decide". Following her son's death she then placed her minor nephew Guanxu on the throne. But Cixi's reign was not easy, as the country suffered under oppression by imperial powers and uprisings of its unhappy people. Learn all about the secret Empress Cixi in this episode of IT'S HISTORY.
The oppression of the Chinese people during the first half of the Century of Humiliation increased unrest in the country. More and more revolutionary groups formed and tried to destroy the ruling Qing dynasty. The Qing would finally fall by 1912, and because Sun Yat-sen had passed on his role as the new president of the Republic of China, Yuan Shikai took power. Later however Sun Yat-sen's Chinese National Party Kuomintang would try to overthrow Yuan's Beiyang government and unify the country. The Kuomintang defeated the Beiyang government in 1928 under its new anti-Communist leader Chiang Kai-shek. Reuniting China would have to wait until after the Second World War had ended. It would be the Communist leader Mao Zedong who would, on October 1 1949, declare the People's Republic of China. Learn all about the era that led to the founding of the People's Republic of China in our second special on The Century of Humiliation.
Sun Yat-sen is known as the 'father of modern China'. He spent his adult life fighting against imperial China and the ruling Qing dynasty. First as revolutionary leader and later as politician. He founded the Tongmenghui League in 1905 and supported rebellions in China. After the Wuchang Uprising, Sun handed over the presidential office for the Republic of China to Yuan Shikai who soon after would ban Suns political party, the Kuomintang. So he reformed it as China's National People's party. His military and political work laid the groundwork from which his successors would later call out the People's Republic of China.
After the fall of the Qing dynasty China fell apart and both, forces loyal to Chiang Kais-shek's National Kuomintang Party and as Mao Zedong's Communist Party of China, fought to rule the country. This bloody struggle would ultimately result in the Chinese Civil War. It would take more than 22 years but would come to a halt during the 2nd Sino-Japanese War. After Japan's defeat, Mao's troops grew strong quickly and soon after they were able to force Chiang Kai-shek and his followers out of China. They sought refuge in Taiwan. Shortly after, Mao Zedong called out the People's Republic of China. Learn all about the Chinese Civil War in this episode of Battlefields with Indy Neidell.
