China is one of the few countries with the oldest civilizations in the world, with powerful dynasties that reached prosperity and contributed significantly to its development.
According to National Interest, contrary to the Western perception that ancient China was isolated and weakened, many Chinese dynasties thrived and had a substantial influence on the world.
By the time of the Ming Dynasty, Chinese ships had sailed around the globe to promote trade and diplomacy. It can be said that China, with the largest population in the world and an ancient civilization, has always been a formidable power that cannot be underestimated.
Below are the three most powerful dynasties in Chinese history, as assessed by National Interest.
The Han Dynasty
Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, is credited with founding the Han Dynasty. (Illustrative Image).
The Han Dynasty ruled China for four centuries, from 206 BC to 220 AD. Inheriting a unified China from the Qin Dynasty, the Han Dynasty was the one that maintained this unity and developed the most characteristic institutions in Chinese history.
The Han Dynasty upheld a centralized autocratic government through an effective tax collection system, more thorough than any contemporary institution. To generate revenue, the Han also held monopolies on iron and salt.
This abundant wealth allowed the Han Dynasty to expand China’s borders further south. Weaker tribes with less powerful cultures were quickly defeated.
However, a longstanding problem for China at that time was the harassment from nomadic peoples in the north. That is why Qin Shi Huang of the Qin Dynasty ordered the construction of the Great Wall. The Han Dynasty continued to expand military campaigns further north, reaching present-day Xinjiang and Central Asia.
This significant development helped China rapidly expand trade relations with other civilizations, leading to the establishment of a large-scale trade route known as the Silk Road.
To control trade routes and defeat enemies, China controlled Xinjiang, using it as a foothold to expand its influence westward. Buddhism also entered China through this route.
The Tang Dynasty
The powerful Tang Dynasty faced defeat against the Islamic Empire.
After the fall of the Han Dynasty due to civil wars, China entered a period of chaos and division until it was unified again by the Sui Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty subsequently emerged, dominating China from 618 to 907.
The Tang Dynasty is regarded as the dynasty that expanded China’s influence internationally. The military power of China during the Tang period reached its peak, marking the golden age of autocratic rule.
At its height, the Tang Dynasty controlled a territory twice that of the Han. The population at that time reached 80 million, greatly surpassing neighboring ethnic groups.
During this period, the influence of the Tang Dynasty spread to Korea, Japan, and Tibet. Although it did not govern Tibet, the Tang was the first Chinese dynasty to extend its influence to this plateau.
A part of the Tang Dynasty’s success was due to learning how to combat nomadic peoples. The Tang placed great emphasis on breeding and incorporating warhorses into the military. The Tang was also willing to employ talented generals from Central Asia.
The Tang Dynasty once again extended its control over Xinjiang, reaching the borders of the Persian Empire. The Tang’s defeat against the Arab forces in 751 ended the Chinese emperor’s dominance in Central Asia.
In the later years of the dynasty, the An Lushan Rebellion broke out, plunging the Tang into instability and decline. It is estimated that half of the Tang population during this period perished due to war, famine, and disease.
The Qing Dynasty
Qianlong is the most famous emperor of the Qing Dynasty. (Illustrative Image).
All dynasties after the Tang led to China’s weakening and descent into war. It was not until the establishment of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) that China became unified again.
However, historians regard the Ming as one of the worst dynasties due to the rampant corruption of eunuchs.
With the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), China experienced its final peak of autocratic rule. Not only achieving significant cultural and historical accomplishments, the Qing also played a crucial role in maintaining the vast territory of China as it is today.
However, the Qing was also criticized by historians for its weak leadership system, which created opportunities for the West to tear it apart.
The Qing actually did not originate from China. They were Manchus from northern China who surged down through the Great Wall. But once they controlled China, they were also assimilated, maintaining more Chinese customs than their traditional ones.
Gunpowder was discovered during this period, allowing the Qing to more effectively control distant lands such as Tibet, Xinjiang, Manchuria, and Mongolia.
The Qing also achieved diplomatic success by preventing Russia and Britain from further territorial expansion. China was seen as the perfect buffer zone preventing conflicts between Russia and Britain.
However, the Qing could not withstand threats from the sea, first from the West and later from the Japanese Empire.
It can be said that the Qing played a role in preserving a vast territory, laying the foundation for China to enter a new era.
