The Political Development of Imperial China

IMPERIAL CHINA

The term imperial refers to leadership that is belonging or related to a emperor or king.  Imperial China refers to a time period where China was under the rule of emperors. 

DYNASTIES

Historians divide Chinese history into periods ruled by dynasties, or ruling families.  In a dynasty, power is passed from father to son so the sequence of rulers are considered to of the same family. 

BUREAUCRACY

This is depicting Chinese bureaucrats (government officials) at work.   The members of the bureaucracy were employed to help the emperor run the large nation.

ARISTOCRACY

The aristocracy was a wealthy ruling class, or government run by a wealthy class.  In other words, the bureaucracy would be made up of rich landowners.

MERITOCRACY

 Meritocracy, is a system were the government officials, members of the bureaucracy, are chosen for their merit and ability.  The civil service examination was designed to select the best candidates for the Chinese bureaucracy.  The test had questions on Chinese classics, poetry, legal and administrative issues.  They were mainly based on the works of Confucius, China's great philosopher and teacher. 

WARLORD

Throughout Imperial China's history there have been times of chaos and division were governments grew weak and cold not protect their citizens.  During these times, warlords rose up to fight the emperor and cease power. A warlord is a military leader operating outside the control of the government not unlike a gangster.  These leaders use violence, force, and fear to control people. 

GOVERNMENT BY FOREIGNERS

In the 13th century, the Mongols conquered almost all of Asia.  The Mongol leader, Kublai Khan (the grandson of Genghis Khan), took the title of emperor of China.  He called his dynasty the Yuan dynasty.  For nearly 100 years China was under Mongol rule.  

This is a painting entitled Auspicious Cranes by Huizong of Song (1082-1135) a Chinese emperor and painter during Song Dynasty.

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