Chinese Dynasties Part Two: The Song Dynasty through the Qing Dynasty, 960 to 1911 CE

Comprehensive Unit285 pagesGrade Level: High SchoolIncludes curriculum unit + CD-ROM of images Chinese civilization has endured for thousands of years, held fast by the notion of unity and challenged by the constant struggle to maintain it. To understand this notion, how it evolved, and why it has endured for thousands of years is to understand the very essence of Chinese civilization. For 3,500 years, China was ruled by a succession of kings, emperors, and their respective dynasties. The dynastic years were a time of repeated fragmentation and reunification, with frequent wars followed by periods of peace that sometimes lasted for centuries. As each dynasty came to power, it strove to expand and maintain its power over a vast territory of diverse lands and peoples until it ultimately failed and another dynasty took power. Despite constant political turmoil and frequent wars, Chinese culture and civilization flourished and took shape during the dynastic years. Each dynasty left b