Chinese Empire

We explain what the Chinese Empire was, how it originated and its different stages. In addition, its general characteristics, religion and more.

What was the Chinese Empire?

The Chinese Empire was a state that existed between 221 to. C. and 1912 d. C. in Oriental Asia. Throughout its history, the Empire was under the government of different dynasties, although its unit was interrupted on different occasions by civil wars, invasions of foreign peoples or by the territorial division in various kingdoms.

The Qin dynasty was the first to unify the Chinese territory under its government, and the last to do so was the Qing dynasty.

See also: Byzantine empire

Location of the Chinese Empire

The Chinese Empire was located in Oriental Asia, on the plains surrounded by the Yellow River and the Blue River. It is a fertile territory that is between the Central Asia plateau to the north, the blue and yellow rivers to the south, the mountain chain of Tibet, Pamir and Himalayas to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east.

Throughout its history, the territory controlled by the imperial government was changing. In its moment of greater extension, the Empire came to occupy the territories of the current Popular Republic of China and Mongolia.

Origin of the Chinese Empire

Being surrounded by mountains, deserts and seas, Chinese culture remained isolated from the other civilizations of the ancient world. The first permanent settlements in the Chinese territory arose towards 3000 a. C., on the shores of the yellow and blue rivers. It is believed that towards the 18th century a. C., the King Dynasty Chang ruled part of the region. Then, in the eleventh century a. C., the Chou dynasty happened.

The 5th century arrived. C., a period known as the “combatant kingdoms” began, during which seven kingdoms faced the control of the territory. In the year 221 a. C., Shi Huang-Ti, the monarch of the Kingdom of Qin, managed to impose himself on the rest of the kingdoms and founded the Chinese empire.

Early Empire (221 AC-589 DC)

The first stage of the Chinese empire began with the Qin dynasty. To control the noble warriors and keep them under their central influence, the emperor adopted legalism as an essential doctrine of the empire, a philosophical school that postulated that the State should be enhanced for the welfare of the people. The sovereign had to be obeyed unconditionally and had the right to use force to impose itself in case of disobedience.

In turn, the population was subject to rigorous discipline and the expansion of opposite ideas was prohibited. The emperor established the burning of confucian books (another Chinese philosophy, based on confucio ideas) and pursued opposition intellectuals.

On the other hand, Shi Huang-Ti created a professional state administration system. To do this, he founded a civil administration school in which officials were formed with the specific objective of fulfilling state administration tasks. He also divided the Empire into 36 administrative regions and established a civil and military organization.

With the aim of consolidating the Imperial Union, the construction of a network of roads and channels began, and unified the currency, writing and the system of weights and measures throughout the territory. In addition, it established mandatory military service for men.

Also, during the Qin dynasty, the works of the Great Wall began, through the unification of the different pre -existing fortifications.

By the year 206 a. C., the Qin were defeated and replaced by the Han dynasty, which ruled for four centuries and introduced confucism to the State. Confusionism postulated the importance of moral norms for the king and their counselors, and the moral discipline of subjects through education and work.

This period culminated in the year 220 d. C., when the Empire was divided into three different kingdoms: Wei, Shu and Wu. It was the first step towards the era of the six dynasties, a prolonged division period and civil wars that saw its end towards the year 589 d. C., when the sui dynasty defeated all its rivals.

Middle Empire (589-1279 AD)

In 589, the Sui dynasty achieved the reunification of the Chinese Empire. Carried out a series of institutional reforms with the aim of consolidating imperial power. In addition, it began great public works, such as the Grand Canal and the extension of the Great Wall.

In 618 the government assumed the Tang dynasty with Emperor Li Yuan. His government is considered a time of state greatness and cultural splendor, in which poetry and painting were especially developed.

Between 907 and 960 d. C., the Empire was divided during the period known as “the five dynasties and the ten kingdoms”, Until the Song dynasty managed to gather part of the territory. At this stage, the Chinese population grew greatly and a series of inventions appeared that promoted cultural activities, such as an impression system with ink and new porcelain work techniques. It is a time marked by the dissemination of literature, shows and neoconfuctionist philosophy.

In 1279, China was conquered by the Mongol Empire, in the hands of the Successors of Genghis Khan. This town controlled the entire nation, reunited its government, called the “Manzi” region and left it in the hands of a dynasty created by them, the Yuan.

Late Empire (1368-1912 d. C.)

The late empire began with the fall of the Mongol Empire and the return of Chinese dynasties, which were the ming and qing. This period culminated in the defeat of the Empire at the hands of foreign powers such as the British Empire (in the Opium Wars) and a situation of discomfort and instability that forced the Qing to a series of institutional reforms.

However, the disastrous Sino-Japanese war that culminated in 1895, snatching the control of the Peninsula of Korea and the Island of Taiwan, caused sufficient discomfort in the population to dare to more substantial reforms. Sun Yaet-sen led the republican forces until triggering the Xinhai revolution (or Japanese revolution of 1911), in which there was a military uprising that formally ended the Chinese empire.

Religion and beliefs in the Chinese Empire

In the history of the Chinese Empire, different belief systems and ways of conceiving life were developed. All of them lived in Chinese society over the years and influenced all areas of society. Among the most important are:

• Confusionism It was a philosophy founded by Confucius in the 5th century. C., who taught the importance of moral education to achieve personal harmony and social harmony. He promoted honor, benevolence, loyalty and respect for tradition and the elderly.
• Legalism. It was a political ideology that had great influence in China since the fourth century. C. Shang Yang philosophers and have Feizi maintained the need to establish an order through discipline and obedience. This ideology defended the use of force and the establishment of strict laws for general well -being.
• Taoism It was a belief system developed by Lao Tsé towards the seventh century BC. C. (There is no certainty about their years of life). This philosophy is based on the notion of the Tao, which is understood as the “path” that underlies the universe and guides all things. It promotes a life in harmony with the natural order, spontaneity and simplicity to achieve inner and exterior peace.
• Buddhism. This religion was introduced in China towards the 1st century. C. and is based on the teachings of Buddha, a teacher of India. Through introspection and meditation, it seeks to overcome suffering and spiritual lighting.

Chinese Empire Culture

Throughout its history, the Chinese Empire has developed a great cultural tradition, very heterogeneous and marked by the different transformations of Chinese society. Confucianism, Taoism and legalistic school influenced the cultural practices of the different moments of Chinese history.

However, there are certain common elements that characterized Chinese art and differentiated it from other cultures:

• Harmony search. Artistic compositions sought a balanced and harmonious visual representation. In aesthetics, serenity and calm were chosen.
• Emphasis on symbolism. Artistic expressions were linked to the transmission of values, beliefs and ideas. Through the use of different materials, colors, textures and objects, the Chinese sought to symbolize deeper meanings. Among the most common symbols of Chinese art are the dragon, the phoenix, the lotus flower, the water and other elements of nature.
• Admiration for nature. Respect for the natural order and life of all beings is a characteristic motive of all Chinese art. This feature derives from the influence of Taoism, which promoted life in harmony with the natural flow of the universe.
• Preference for simplicity. The choice of simple aesthetics, with clear and formal strokes, marked the art of different periods of Chinese history. Although there could be intricate and detailed motifs, they were made in composition with simplicity and refinement.

On the other hand, the Chinese culture developed an architectural style based on bilateral symmetry, the use of tips hunched over in the eaves, the enclosure of spaces, the emphasis on the horizontal lines and the incorporation of philosophical notions over the space (Feng Shui).

The Republic of China

The Republic of China was the form of government that happened to the Empire from 1912. It lasted until 1949, when the Chinese civil war culminated with the victory of Mao Tse-Tung and the communist revolutionary forces.

From then on, the country was renamed People’s Republic of China and the forces of the former Republic had to exile on the island of Taiwan, where they still govern.

Chinese Empire of 1915-1916

The Chinese Empire of 1915-1916 was the failed attempt by the military Yuan Shikai to return the Republic of China to its imperial tradition, in a very brief dictatorial and then constitutional monarchical government, which had numerous opponents. The end of this fleeting empire immersed China in the era of the Lords of the War (1916-1928).

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References

• Ackermann, Me (2008). Chronology; Tang Dynty; Neo confucianism; Song Dynsty. In Encyclopedia of World History, Vol II:The Expanding World: 600 to 140. Facts on File.
• Ceinos, P. (2006). Brief history of China. Objective editor.
• Galliano, A., Katz, M. and others. (2015). The Far East: China. Social Sciences. History and geographical spaces from the origin of man to the Middle Ages. Edelvoves.
• Lewis, JW, Young, EP, Zürcher, E. and others. (2023). China. Britannica Encyclopedia. https://www.britannica.com/place/china