China, one of the four oldest civilizations in the world, has a written history of 4,000 years. The cycle of long periods of political unity (the Han, Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties each govern for 250-300 years) are interspersed by periods of political disunity. China has gone over/through a long history of primitive society, slavery society, feudal society and semi-feudal semi-colonial society and the present socialist society.
The territorial pressure and incursions from China's north by nomadic groups, who are attracted by the wealth of the settled, agricultural civilization of China is a significant part of Chinese history. The most illustrative examples are those of the Mongols, who conquered China and established the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 AD); and the Manchu, who again conquered China and established the last feudal dynasty of China – Qing Dynasty, which ruled China for 300 years (1644-1911 AD).
The process of dynastic formation, ascendance, and decline is often referred to as the "dynastic cycle." The last years of many dynasties were marked by inefficient administration and corruption, when compounded by natural calamities such as flood or droughts, led to social unrest among the people. Movements and rebellions incorporating popular religious ideas took place in the last years of the Han, Yuan, and Qing dynasties, while political rebellions brought down the Tang and Ming dynasties.
More information on China historical facts and the time periods of Chinese history and dynasties, please go to China Fact Tours at:
http://www.chinafacttours.com/
