Posted inChinese History

The Establishment of the Tang Dynasty (618 CE): A New Golden Age Begins – Examine the Events Following the Fall of the Sui, Exploring How Li Yuan (Emperor Gaozu) Seized Power and Established the Tang Dynasty, Which Would Go on to Rule for Nearly 300 Years and Usher in a Period of Great Prosperity and Cultural Achievement.

The Establishment of the Tang Dynasty (618 CE): A New Golden Age Begins – Or, How to Dethrone an Emperor (and Not Get Your Head Chopped Off!) 👑 Good morning,…
Posted inChinese History

The Sui Dynasty’s Fall (618 CE): Overextension and Rebellion Lead to Collapse – Examine the Causes of the Sui Dynasty’s Short-Lived Rule, Exploring the Costs of Grand Canal Construction, Failed Military Campaigns (Against Goguryeo), And Widespread Rebellions That Led to the Dynasty’s Rapid Collapse.

The Sui Dynasty's Fall (618 CE): Overextension and Rebellion Lead to Collapse – A Spectacularly Short Reign (A Lecture on How Not to Run an Empire) Welcome, class! 👋 Settle…
Posted inChinese History

The Uprising of the Five Barbarians (beginning 304 CE): Nomadic Invasions and the Fragmentation of the Jin Dynasty – Examine the Period of Widespread Uprisings and Invasions by Various Nomadic Groups (Xiongnu, Xianbei, Jie, Qiang, Di) Against the Western Jin Dynasty, Leading to its Collapse and a Long Period of Division in Northern China.

The Uprising of the Five Barbarians: A Nomadic Knockout of the Jin Dynasty (304 CE Onwards) (Lecture Hall Scene: Projector displays a chaotic map of fragmented China, circa 4th century.…
Posted inChinese History

The Jin Dynasty’s Unification (280 CE): A Brief Period of Unity After the Three Kingdoms – Examine the Conquest of the Kingdom of Wu by the Western Jin Dynasty, Bringing an End to the Three Kingdoms Period and Briefly Reunifying China, Although This Unity Proved Short-Lived.

The Jin Dynasty's Unification (280 CE): A Brief Period of Unity After the Three Kingdoms – A Lecture Alright, settle in, settle in! Today, we're diving headfirst into a period…
Posted inChinese History

The Establishment of the Han Dynasty (206 BCE): Liu Bang Becomes Emperor Gaozu – Examine the Events Following the Fall of the Qin Dynasty, Exploring the Struggle for Power (Chu-Han Contention) Between Liu Bang (Han) and Xiang Yu (Chu), And Liu Bang’s Eventual Victory in Establishing the Enduring Han Dynasty.

The Establishment of the Han Dynasty (206 BCE): Liu Bang Becomes Emperor Gaozu – A Battle Royale for the Ages! (Lecture Starts) Alright, history buffs and future time travelers! Settle…
Posted inChinese History

The Rebellion of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang (209 BCE): The Spark That Ignited the Fall of the Qin Dynasty – Examine the Peasant Uprising That Was One of the First Major Rebellions Against Qin Rule, Exploring the Causes of Discontent and How This Initial Revolt Grew into a Movement That Contributed to the Dynasty’s Collapse.

The Rebellion of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang (209 BCE): The Spark That Ignited the Fall of the Qin Dynasty (Lecture Hall doors creak open. Professor struts in, wearing a…
Posted inChinese History

The Establishment of the Qin Dynasty (221 BCE): Unifying China Under a Single Emperor – Examine the Military Conquests and Political Reforms That Allowed Qin Shi Huang to End the Warring States Period and Create the First Centralized Imperial Dynasty, Laying the Foundation for Future Imperial Rule and Administration.

The Establishment of the Qin Dynasty (221 BCE): Unifying China Under a Single Emperor – A Lecture (Professor Shi Huangdi impersonator strides confidently to the podium, adjusting his (slightly crooked)…
Posted inChinese History

The Xinhai Revolution (1911): The Collapse of the Qing Dynasty and the Birth of the Republic of China – Examine the Causes, Key Figures (Sun Yat-sen), And The Relatively Swift Overthrow of the Last Imperial Dynasty, Ending Centuries of Monarchy and ushering in a Period of Republican Rule, Although Marked by Instability and Warlordism.

The Xinhai Revolution (1911): From Dragon Throne to Democratic Chaos! 🐉➡️🗳️ (Sort Of) (A Lecture in Three Acts) Alright class, settle down, settle down! Today, we're diving into a truly…
Posted inChinese History

The Qing Dynasty’s Establishment (1644): How Did the Manchu Conquerors From the North Establish and Consolidate Their Rule Over Han Chinese? Explore the Military Strategies, Political Policies (Including the Queue Order), And The Initial Challenges Faced by the Qing in Establishing a Stable and Enduring Empire.

The Qing Dynasty's Establishment (1644): From Barbarian Hordes to Mandarins in Magnificent Robes! (A Lecture on Military Prowess, Political Shenanigans, and Really, Really Bad Haircuts) (Opening Slide: Image of a…
Posted inChinese History

The Ming Dynasty’s Fall (1644): What Internal Rebellions and External Threats Led to the Collapse of the Ming and the Rise of the Qing? Examine the Role of Peasant Uprisings (Like Li Zicheng’s), Manchu Invasion, And Internal Corruption in Bringing an End to This Dynasty and Ushering in a New Era of Rule.

The Ming Dynasty's Fall (1644): A Comedy of Errors Leading to the Qing (Lecture Hall Doors Slam Open with a Dramatic Flourish. Dust motes dance in the single spotlight illuminating…