4/30/2021 0 Comments Japanese Dynasties
Indeed, unlike Western, Islamic, and Indian civilizations, China has managed to remain politically unified for much of its history.Yes, it is true that during the Ming Dynasty, China ships conducted multiple voyages of exploration (1405-1433) before abruptly stopping.But this hardly dented the enormous economic and political influence China wielded for most of its history in East, Southeast, and Central Asia.
![]() Although the people of these regions pursued their own interests as best as they could, China was always the major power to be dealt with. Additionally, to gain increased revenue, the Han created monopolies on iron and salt. The salt monopoly has been a traditional source of revenue for Chinese states since, one that apparently lasted until 2014. Southern China would prove to be very important to China in the future since it can support a large population through the rice crop. ![]() Constant harassment and raids by these nomads necessitated the first construction of the Great Wall during the Qin Dynasty. During the Han, China attempted to outflank its enemies, which led to an expedition westward into todays Xinjiang and Central Asia. Indeed, during this time China became aware of the civilizations of India, the Bactrians, the Sogdians, the Persians, and many more, This event is thought to have stimulated the development of trade routes that would later be called the Silk Road. Buddhism also entered China through this route at this time. The Tang Dynasty was also likely Chinas largest and most powerful dynasty in history and is considered the golden age of imperial China. During this time, China continued to expand northeast and south, incorporating much of Manchuria and Vietnam. It was also during this period that many other state societies developed under Chinese influence, including Korea, Japan, and Tibet. This period thus saw the establishment of the tributary state system to a greater extent than under the Han. Although they did not rule Tibet, the Tang were the first Chinese dynasty to exert influence over the previously foreboding plateau to the southeast. The Tang were crazy about horses, which had previously been relatively rare in China, and imported and breed many different breeds, negating the main advantage of the nomads to their north. The Tang also promoted and used talented Central Asian generals (a decision which would later come back to haunt them). Until the Arabs defeated the Chinese in the Battle of Talas (751), it looked as though Central Asias future was with China. Numerous states near this region such as Kabul and Kashmir became direct tributaries to China. The Chinese also intervened in the affairs of their steppe neighbors and even in the northern heartland of India. Up to half of the empires population is said to have perished in the resulting fighting, famines, and diseases in what has been called one of historys largest man-made disasters. It wasnt until the Ming Dynasty (13681644) hundreds of years later that another dynasty rule over the Chinese heartland without major threats or issues.
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