History

Chinese history is categorized by dynasties. Dynasties are successions of rulers of the same line of descent. The Zhou Dynasty(1045 BCE to 256 BCE) legitimized their rule with The Mandate of Heaven. The mandate justified the fall of previous dynasties and the rise of new ones. The mandate was lost by rebellions or natural disasters. The first dynasties began roughly 2,200 BCE. Various dynasties took control of china from that time until 1912.

Imperialism began in China around 1800. During this time Europeans wanted Chinese goods such as silver. The Chinese began to trade less silver due to lack of trade in their own favor. In order to keep the silver trade the Europeans began trading opium. The opium being traded led to the opium war in 1839. An unequal treaty was made to end this conflict, even though the Chinese had beaten the British forces. This treaty opened new ports for westerners. Europeans fought for these ports. From the ports came different spheres of influence.

On January 1st,1912 China was declared a republic. This change came following the civil unrest during the last years of the Manchu Dynasty. The Republic lasted until the communism

1945-1949 the communist revolution took place. Japan had invaded parts of China. After the defeat of the Japanese, communist and nationalist rushed to seize the newly free land. America sent troops to help the nationalist against the communist. The nationalist won at first. Despite the win, communist controlled northern China and parts on Manchuria still. The nationalist had rewritten the Chinese Constitution in 1947 as they were confident they would succeed in the war. Between 1946 and 1947 the communist or Red Army had grown. This growth helped lead to many important wins in the civil war. The last year of the war the nationalist lost 1.5 million + soldiers. Without having full control of china the Communist leaders declared the nation to be the People's Republic Of China. Since then they have been communist. media type="custom" key="6342861"