History
Map
East Asia
Ancient Times: Imperial History
East Asia has been ruled by powerful and controlling emperors for more than 7,000 years. From the Ancient Shang Dynasty of 1500 BC, through the Ming and Qing Dynasties of 1300 to the mid-1800s, China’s emperors dominate beyond China’s borders through a lot of East Asia.
Early 1900s: Independence Begins
Japan begins to assert its independence from Chinese influence. Over the next century, China is involved in several wars while trying to keep up its domination of East Asia.
1912: Dynasties End
Imperialist rule ends and China is no longer controlled by a dynasty. Sun Yat-sen becomes president and China is renamed the Republic of China.
1921: Communism is Born
Communist Party of China is founded in Shanghai. Over the next several decades, the communists fight with nationalists for control of the country in a long civil war.
1949: Communists Take Over
The Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, now controls most of China.
Mid 1900s: Chinese Empire Collapses
China slowly loses power over many of the countries it controls, which become independently governed. China’s communist-led Cultural Revolution seeks to advance communism throughout China. Thousands of Chinese, who are seen as enemies of communism, are killed.
Late 1970s: Representative Democracies
East Asian countries still controlled by China, including Taipei and Taiwan, become representative democracies, but are still under China’s rule.
1989: Tiananmen Massacre
Hundreds of students protesting Chinese communists are killed by the government in the Tiananmen massacre. The international community is outraged and China is criticized for ignoring human rights.
Present: Economic Growth
China’s fast-growing economy has made the country a major player in the world market. Environmental issues caused by rapid industrialization are a major concern. So are human rights issues, caused by a rapidly growing population that doesn’t have access to basic needs.