The History of China, 2nd Edition : Second Edition

As Chinese society and culture evolves on a seemingly daily basis, due to its booming economy and expansion as a producer of consumer and industrial goods, its influence upon the world grows as well. Perhaps now more than any time in the modern era, the history of China is a topic with great importance and relevance. In The History of China: Second Edition , readers will find a general survey of Chinese society's long history, ranging from accounts of ancient Chinese civilization, to coverage of the individual dynasties of imperial China, through China's whirlwind transition to modernity and its belated arrival in the international community. There is an informative chapter on Taiwan and a final chapter that discusses the formidable challenges China faces in the 21st century, including overpopulation, environmental degradation, and social stability. This Book Presents An Informative Introduction To China's Past And Present, From Traditional Accounts Of Its Beginnings More Than 3,000 Years Ago To Its Modern Emergence As A First-world Nation. China Is Both The World's Oldest Continuing Civilization And An Emerging Global Superpower. Over The Last Two Millennia, This Rich And Complex Nation Has Often Been The Wealthiest And Most Populous Country On Earth, And Within A Few Decades, China May Surpass All Other Nations As The Most Powerful In The World. As Chinese Society And Culture Evolves On A Seemingly Daily Basis, Due To Its Booming Economy And Expansion As A Producer Of Consumer And Industrial Goods, Its Influence Upon The World Grows As Well. Perhaps Now More Than Any Time In The Modern Era, The History Of China Is A Topic With Great Importance And Relevance. In This Volume Readers Will Find A General Survey Of Chinese Society's Long History, Ranging From Accounts Of Ancient Chinese Civilization, To Coverage Of The Individual Dynasties Of Imperial China, Through China's Whirlwind Transition To Modernity And Its Belated Arrival In The International Community. There Is An Informative Chapter On Taiwan And A Final Chapter That Discusses The Formidable Challenges China Faces In The 21st Century, Including Overpopulation, Environmental Degradation, And Social Stability. Geography, Government, Population, And Early History -- Pre-imperial China, Ca. 1122-221 B.c. -- Early Imperial China, 221 B.c.-a.d. 589 -- Middle And Late Imperial China, A.d. 589-ca. 1800 -- The Tumultuous Nineteenth Century : External Aggression And Internal Chaos -- Revolution And Republic -- The People's Republic : From First Breath To Mao's Death -- Deng's China -- China In The 1990s -- The Twenty-first Century : Dealing With A Pushy China -- A Prosperous And Confused Island : Taiwan Since 1945 -- Notable People In The History Of China -- Chinese Dynasties. David Curtis Wright. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

Every school and public library should update its resources on China with this engagingly written and succinct narrative history of China from prehistoric times to 2000. The world's oldest continuing civilization, China's technological, cultural, and philosophical developments have influenced the world throughout its long history. Wright, an expert on China, has written a fascinating history that not only makes the complex history of China clear to the reader, but weaves into each era of that history the thematic strands of diplomatic, cultural, and technological history.

Following a timeline of historical events, the narrative begins with a discussion of geography, government, and population. In successive chapters the chronological narrative covers China's early history, pre-imperial China, early imperial China, middle and late imperial China, the tumultuous 19th century, revolution and republic, the creation of the People's Republic to Mao's death, Deng's China, and China in the 1990s. The work closes with a discussion of China's challenges in the 21st century-overpopulation, a graying population, and economic development. Brief biographical sketches of notable people in the history of China, a chronological list of Chinese dynasties, a glossary, and a bibliographic essay of recommended books for further reading add reference value to the history.

Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 8 Series Foreword......Page 10 Preface to the Second Edition......Page 14 Timeline of Historical Events......Page 16 1 Geography, Government, Population, and Early History......Page 26 2 Pre-Imperial China: ca. 1122–221 B.C.......Page 42 3 Early Imperial China: 221 B.C.–A.D. 589......Page 70 4 Middle and Late Imperial China: A.D. 589–ca. 1800......Page 92 5 The Tumultuous Nineteenth Century: External Aggression and Internal Chaos......Page 124 6 Revolution and Republic......Page 142 7 The People’s Republic: From First Breath to Mao’s Death......Page 170 8 Deng’s China......Page 206 9 China in the 1990s......Page 224 10 The Twenty-First Century: Dealing with a Pushy China......Page 234 11 A Prosperous and Confused Island: Taiwan since 1945......Page 270 Notable People in the History of China......Page 306 Chinese Dynasties......Page 322 F......Page 324 P......Page 325 X......Page 326 Works Cited......Page 328 Bibliographic Essay......Page 334 B......Page 340 C......Page 341 F......Page 343 H......Page 344 K......Page 345 L......Page 346 M......Page 347 O......Page 348 Q......Page 349 S......Page 350 T......Page 351 U......Page 352 X......Page 353 Z......Page 354 This book presents an informative introduction to China's past and present, from traditional accounts of its beginnings more than 3,000 years ago to its modern emergence as a first-world nation.• Presents extensive eyewitness accounts written by witnesses or participants in the events discussed• Includes a chronology, maps, and a bibliographic essay of print and electronic sources