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An Introduction to Chinese History

© John Walsh

However, the inventiveness and diligence that had given China the pre-eminent place in the world economy was already slipping away, as the ruling class secluded themselves from the rest of society and the desire for improvement became complacence with what had already been achieved. This is symbolised by the voyages of the great admiral Zheng He, whose voyages extended to Africa and Arabia, but who was then ordered to desist in the early C15th as further attempts to communicate with the rest of the world were dramatically reduced.

By the time of the Qing dynasty (1644-1912 CE), China was quite unprepared for an industrial revolution. Instead, it fell further behind the European powers until, despite its huge size and population, it was unable to resist colonisation and humiliation as Hong Kong, Shanghai and Macao came under foreign control as the curse of widespread opium use was introduced by western traders. The failure of the Chinese state to respond effectively to these threats meant that revolutionary ideas spread more rapidly and deeply. Communism and capitalism warred briefly and both fought against the conquering Japanese invaders.

Ultimately, the nationalists under Chiang-Kai Shek fled to Taiwan, leaving the mainland for the Communists, who established the People's Republic of China with the expulsion of the Japanese at the end of WWII. Communism under Chairman Mao failed to achieve the economic growth of the west and the miseries of the people under a repressive social system were not rewarded. The Communist party still rules and, while it has accepted the need to experiment with western methods of economic development, it is not yet prepared to permit political pluralism.

Further Reading

There are more than a few general histories of China and more still on specific aspects and periods. Serious students would probably be best advised to consider the numerous volumes of The Cambridge History of China.

However, for general readers looking for a single volume book covering the entirety of Chinese history are recommended to Patricia Buckley Ebrey's China, which is part of the Cambridge Illustrated History series (published by Cambridge University Press in paperback in 1999). This book has an engaging style and a generous number of excellent illustrations.

Readers interested in the personalities of Chinese history are recommended to look at Ann Paludan's Chronicle of the Chinese Emperors (London: Thames and Hudson, 1998), which contains fascinating information on all the emperors of Chinese history and many useful accompanying entries.