Classical+China

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Classical China Summary:

Following the age of the **Shang** warrior kings, the **Zhou Dynasty** took over. The **Zhou Dynasty** lasted from 1029-258 B.C.E. The Zhou Dynasty ruled is a bureaucratic-like system in which central authority was very weak and regional responsibilities were given to family members and other supporters. This signaled China's **Feudal** Period, in which the central power relied on a vast network of nobles that promised loyalty for land. The Zhou Dynasty were able to bring settlers to the **Yellow River** Valley, which became Chin'a core "middle kingdom." **The Zhou** eventually feel under their own system due to the rising nobles willing to overthrow the government.

Following the fall of Zhou China, an **era of warring states** followed with maddening political choas. Nobles and certain regions all tried to regain control of China, but only Shi Huangdi was successful in doing so. This signaled the rise of **Qin China** in 221 BCE, a very short-lived Dynasty that emphasized brutal punishment and an unwavering leader. **Shi Huangdi** was able to unite all of China and extended political control and Chinese territory. The tyranny of **Shi Huangdi** ended with his death and a new Dynasty, **the Han**, emerged.

The **Han Dynasty** was an exceptionally successful one. The ideologies of **Confucius** were revived once again, and an extremely effective bureaucratic rule was established over this larger Chinese territory.**Wu Ti** was one of the most successful Han leaders, reviving **Confucianism** and **professionalizing** government positions. Many other Chinese philosophies still remained, such as **Daoism** and **Legailism**, by workings of Confucianism remained for over 2000 years.