The ENTIRE History of China | Ancient to Modern (4K Documentary)

China's earliest settlements arose along the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers, facing constant flooding. The legendary Yu the Engineer, learning from his father Gwen's failures, developed an irrigation system, removing excess water and saving some for crops. His success led to the establishment of the Xia Dynasty, China's first, and the beginning of its dynastic system. Yu's decision for his son Qi to succeed him initiated a hereditary system of rule that lasted for millennia.

The Xia Dynasty ended with the tyrannical ruler Jie, who was overthrown by the Shang Dynasty, demonstrating the concept of the 'Mandate of Heaven.' The Shang Dynasty, lasting around 600 years, is notable for its 'oracle bone inscriptions,' providing a written history. They developed a feudal system, engaged in human sacrifice rituals, and excelled in bronze weaponry. Their downfall, like the Xia, was attributed to the last emperor DiXin's debauchery, leading to the rise of the Zhou Dynasty.

The Zhou Dynasty, the longest-lasting in China's history (789 years), saw significant advancements, including large-scale irrigation, canal networks, and the transition from bronze to iron. It was divided into Western and Eastern periods. The Eastern Zhou period, particularly the 'Hundred Years of Thought,' gave birth to influential Chinese philosophies: Confucianism (social harmony through respect and ethics), Legalism (strict law and punishment), and Taoism (harmony with the universe through inaction). These philosophies profoundly shaped Chinese society and politics.

The Warring States period marked a time of intense conflict among seven former vassal states, notably the Qin. General Sun Tzu authored 'The Art of War' during this era. The Qin, led by Ying Zheng (Qin Shi Huang), leveraged advanced iron weapons to conquer its rivals. Key conquests included Han and Zhao, where a general named Li Mu was eliminated through political trickery. An assassination attempt on Ying Zheng by Jing Ke, orchestrated by the Crown Prince of Yan, failed, leading to Yan's eventual downfall, followed by Wei and Chu. Finally, Qi surrendered, unifying China under the Qin Dynasty.

The Qin Dynasty, though short-lived (15 years), had a lasting impact. Ying Zheng, the first true emperor, unified China by centralizing power, standardizing currency and writing, and dividing the land into provinces. The Qin were known for their harsh legalist punishments and use of fear to maintain control. Peasants lived difficult lives, and women had limited agency. To defend against the northern Xiongnu tribes, Ying Zheng initiated the construction of the Great Wall. Obsessed with immortality, he died from mercury poisoning, but not before commissioning the Terracotta Army, an underground mausoleum to protect him in the afterlife. His death led to a power struggle and the rapid collapse of the dynasty.

Liu Bang, a peasant, founded the Han Dynasty after overthrowing the Qin. He re-established Confucianism, cut taxes, freed slaves, and created a civil service system based on merit. The Western Han (206 BCE-9 AD) was a period of stability, though still threatened by the Xiongnu, to whom they paid tribute. Empress Lu, Gaozu's empress consort, ruled ruthlessly after his death. Emperor Wu (141-87 BCE) launched wars against the Xiongnu, leading to the establishment of the Silk Road for trade and cultural exchange, including the introduction of Buddhism. The dynasty expanded but faced rebellions due to war expenses, culminating in the short-lived Xin Dynasty founded by Wang Mang.

The Xin Dynasty collapsed due to natural disasters and rebellions like the Red Eyebrows. Liu Xiu (Emperor Guangwu) re-established the Han, marking the start of the Eastern Han, with Luoyang as its new capital. This period was a golden age, with lowered taxes, academic institutes, and the promotion of Confucianism. Innovations included paper, cross-bows, and improved iron weapons, strengthening the military. However, the emperors' power waned, leading to corruption, famine, and the Yellow Turban Rebellion. The bureaucratic hand-off of power to nobility led to the rise of warlords and the eventual collapse of the Han Dynasty.

The collapse of the Han led to the Three Kingdoms period (Wei, Wu, and Shu Han), followed by the unification under the Jin Dynasty. Emperor Wu of Jin was known for his indulgence and neglect of political duties. After his death, the 'War of the Eight Princes' erupted, involving nomadic tribes that ultimately seized northern China. The Jin moved south, and instability persisted in both northern and southern China until the Sui Dynasty unified the empire in 589 AD.

The Sui Dynasty, though brief, was crucial for Chinese history. It reinstated Han rule, culturally assimilated barbarians, and fostered Confucianism and Buddhism. Emperor Wen of Sui was influenced by a Buddhist nun. However, Emperor Yang Guang's lavish construction projects and failed Goguryeo campaigns, leading to high casualties and peasant suffering, sparked widespread rebellions. The father-son duo, Li Yuan and Li Shimin, capitalized on this discontent, eventually overthrowing the Sui and setting the stage for the Tang Dynasty.

The Tang Dynasty is considered a golden age, marked by population growth (50 to 80 million) and cultural and scientific advancements. Li Shimin, known as Emperor Taizong, became one of China's greatest emperors after a power struggle and the Shen Wu Gate incident where he eliminated his brothers. He prioritized domestic stability and free speech, building a strong, cosmopolitan empire. Taizong's military triumphs, notably against the Eastern Khaganate, earned him the title 'Khan of Heaven.' Art, poetry, and philosophy flourished. The empire expanded significantly, becoming a dominant force in Southeast Asia.

The Tang's Golden Age peaked under Emperor Xuanzong, but its decline began with the ascendance of corrupt officials like Li Linfu. His policy of appointing non-Chinese military governors led to the An Lushan Rebellion (755 AD), one of the deadliest wars in history. An Lushan, a Turkic general, declared himself emperor of the new Yan Dynasty, capturing Luoyang and Changan. Despite some Tang victories, internal turmoil and inept leadership weakened the empire. An Lushan was murdered by his own son, and though the Tang eventually suppressed the rebellion, it caused immense death (20% of the population) and irreparable damage, leading to a period of decline with poor emperors and rampant banditry.

The weakening Tang Dynasty in the 9th century faced further devastation from rebellions, notably Huang Chao's peasant uprising, which briefly established the Daqi Dynasty and sacked the capital of Changan. Though Huang Chao was eventually defeated, the Tang central government was irrevocably weakened. This era also saw the accidental discovery of gunpowder by Chinese monks (850 AD). The period following the Tang's collapse is known as the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, characterized by intense political instability, rival warlords, and short-lived regimes vying for control of China, until the Song Dynasty reunited the empire.

The Song Dynasty was founded by Zhao Kuangyin (Emperor Taizu), ending the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Divided into Northern and Southern Song, it emphasized scholarly pursuits and Neo-Confucianism. Despite cultural and economic prosperity (e.g., printing press, paper money, magnetic compass, gunpowder in warfare), the Song were militarily weak. The Northern Song fell to the Jurchen (Jin Dynasty) in 1126, who sacked the capital of Kaifeng. The Southern Song, based in Hangzhou, continued artistic and economic flourishing but struggled against stronger northern neighbors, laying the groundwork for eventual Mongol invasion.

Genghis Khan, born Temüjin in Mongolia (1162 AD), rose from a difficult childhood to become a fearsome military leader. He unified the Mongol tribes through ruthless campaigns, displaying strategic brilliance and employing psychological warfare. After defeating rivals, including his childhood friend Jamukha, Genghis set his sights on China. He first conquered the Western Xia, then breached the Great Wall to attack the Jin Dynasty. His death in 1227, after conquering significant portions of northern China, left an unprecedented legacy of conquest and destruction, fathering countless descendants across vast territories.

After Genghis Khan's death, his successors continued the Mongol expansion. Ogadei Khan began the campaign against the Southern Song. Mongke Khan, Genghis' grandson, intensified the conquest, and his brother Kublai Khan ultimately subdued the Southern Song Dynasty in 1279, establishing the Yuan Dynasty. Kublai Khan became the first non-native ruler of China, setting his capital in Khanbaliq (modern Beijing). The Yuan Dynasty implemented a four-tiered caste system, with Mongols at the top, and experienced economic prosperity through a stabilized Silk Road and restored Grand Canal. Marco Polo's accounts detail the advanced nature of Yuan Dynasty China. However, corruption, failed campaigns, and especially the Black Death (1330s) led to its decline and eventual overthrow by the Red Turban Rebellion in 1368.

Zhu Yuanzhang, the leader of the Red Turbans, became the Hongwu Emperor, founding the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). He made Nanjing the capital and focused on reviving traditional Han culture and Neo-Confucianism. The civil service exams were reinstated, and public works projects like irrigation systems boosted the economy and population. The Ming heavily adopted gunpowder technology, developing firearms and cannons, allowing them to defend against Mongol incursions and maintain geopolitical power. Despite its strength, the dynasty had a dark side, with Hongwu employing brutal executions and later emperors facing corruption and peasant rebellions, culminating in the Ming's fall to warlord Li Zicheng in 1644.

The Manchu, capitalizing on the Ming's collapse, established the Qing Dynasty. This second non-native dynasty forced Chinese men to adopt the Manchu Queue hairstyle and ensured Manchu dominance in government. The Kangxi Emperor (1661-1722) was a highly competent and committed ruler, promoting multiculturalism and undertaking major public works. The 18th century saw continued prosperity under Yongzheng and Qianlong. However, the 19th century brought European demands for trade, leading to the Opium Wars. The Qing's restrictive Canton system clashed with British desires for free trade, and the British's introduction of opium into China triggered conflict. The first Opium War (1839-1842) ended with China's defeat and the humiliating Treaty of Nanjing, marking the beginning of the 'century of humiliation.'

In the aftermath of the first Opium War, China faced internal threats, most notably the Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864), which caused 20-30 million deaths. Led by Hong Xiuquan, who believed himself the brother of Jesus Christ, the rebellion aimed to overthrow the 'demon-infested' Qing Dynasty. Hong's God Worshiping Society attracted thousands of peasants, militarizing and eventually capturing Nanjing to establish the 'Heavenly Kingdom of Transcendent Peace.' The Taiping implemented strict laws, outlawing vices. Foreign powers, initially considering support, ultimately backed the Qing due to Taiping violence, rigid policies, and Hong's extreme religious claims. The Tianjing incident, a massacre of rivals, highlighted the cult's brutality. The Qing, aided by Western powers, eventually suppressed the rebellion, but at immense cost.

Unsatisfied with earlier gains, Western powers instigated the Second Opium War (1856-1860). The 'Arrow Incident,' where Chinese officials arrested a British-registered ship's crew, provided Britain with a pretext. France joined, citing the execution of a missionary. Anglo-French forces swiftly defeated the Qing, capturing Canton and exiled Viceroy Ye Mingchen. The Treaty of Tianjin (1858) further expanded foreign rights, including establishing embassies in Beijing, opening more ports, and granting free travel. Chinese resistance led to further Western military action, including the burning of the Summer Palace. The war concluded with the legalization of opium and more concessions, solidifying China's 'century of humiliation.'

Following numerous defeats, internal strife, and western intrusions, the Qing Dynasty was in disarray. The Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) further weakened China, leading to the loss of Taiwan and Korea's independence, and more indemnities. The Boxer Rebellion (1900), an anti-foreigner movement, further destabilized the empire. Widespread peasant rebellions and the rise of nationalist movements, particularly Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Revolutionary Alliance, aimed to overthrow the Qing. In 1911, the Wuchang Uprising sparked a nationwide revolution. Sun Yat-sen was elected president of the Provisional Republican Government. The Qing royal family abdicated in 1912, ending thousands of years of dynastic rule in China and ushering in a new era.

Yuan Shikai became President after the Qing's fall, but his attempt to restore monarchy in 1915 failed, leading to the chaotic Warlord Era (1916-1928). Sun Yat-sen reformed his movement into the Kuomintang (KMT), aiming for national unification. The May Fourth Movement (1917-1921) fueled Marxist ideologies and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was formed. The KMT and CCP initially allied but soon clashed in the brutal Chinese Civil War. After Sun Yat-sen's death, Chiang Kai-shek led the KMT, purging communists in events like the Shanghai Massacre. Mao Zedong, focusing on rural peasantry, rebuilt the CCP. Japanese invasion of Manchuria in the 1930s forced a temporary KMT-CCP alliance, but intense fighting continued, with the CCP employing guerrilla tactics during the Long March.

The Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) was marked by horrific atrocities, including the Rape of Nanjing, where Japanese forces massacred over 200,000 civilians. Despite early Chinese defeats, guerrilla tactics by the CCP and KMT's resilience eventually slowed the Japanese advance. The shared threat forced the KMT and CCP into a 'second united front.' China's tenacity, combined with Allied victory in WWII, led to Japan's surrender. The end of WWII reignited the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949). Mao Zedong's People's Liberation Army, with strong rural support, definitively defeated the KMT, leading to the establishment of the People's Republic of China.

Mao Zedong, as leader of the People's Republic of China (established 1949), initially reduced class inequality through land reform, executing millions of landlords. His 'Great Leap Forward' (1958) aimed for rapid industrialization and collectivization, leading to catastrophic famine and 30-45 million deaths. This forced his temporary resignation. In 1966, Mao launched the 'Cultural Revolution,' a radical campaign to destroy capitalist sentiments and solidify his power. He mobilized the 'Red Guards,' who brutally persecuted intellectuals and perceived enemies, leading to widespread chaos, destruction of historical sites, and 500,000 to 2 million deaths. Mao's 40-80 million deaths from starvation, overwork, and mass executions made him one of history's deadliest leaders. After his death in 1976, Deng Xiaoping initiated economic reforms, leading to rapid GDP growth.

In 1989, calls for political and economic reform coalesced around the death of Hu Yaobang, a liberal leader. Student-led demonstrations erupted in Tiananmen Square, demanding democracy and press freedom. The government declared martial law, and on June 3rd, the People's Liberation Army brutally suppressed the protests. The Tiananmen Square Massacre resulted in hundreds to thousands of deaths, though official figures remain suppressed. The iconic 'Tank Man' became a global symbol of resistance. The incident led to international sanctions and damaged China's global standing. Despite this, China's economy recovered under Deng Xiaoping's market reforms, and it now stands as a powerful, authoritarian state under Xi Jinping, with increasing global influence and ongoing human rights concerns, making Mandarin the language of the future.