- Published: October 4, 2022
- Updated: October 4, 2022
- University / College: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- Level: College Admission
- Language: English
- Downloads: 17
The paper ” Alien Rule: The Liao, Jin, and Yuan Dynasties” is a great example of a history book review.
This chapter gives the wide view of life in China under Alien rule after the fall of the Tang dynasty in 907. It gives the chronological conquering of China by the non-Chinese people over a period. Each of the three dynasties gained dominance in China by utilizing the achievements of its predecessors. The Khitans’ Liao dynasty (907-1125) conquered a strip along the Northern part of China proper which was once dominated by the Chinese. The Jurchens’ Jin dynasty (1115-1234) expanded the territory to include the whole of north China, after defeating the Lioa, and then came the Mongols’ Yuan dynasty that took the whole of China after defeating Jin (Ebrey164). The Yuan was able to take control of the whole of China by assembling invincible machinery led by Chinggis Khan in 1212-13 (Ebrey 169). However, all these invasions never eroded the heritage of the Chinese people.
The Mongol conquests led to wide interaction across Eurasia, leading to the rapid spread of the deadly plague. This interaction also led to the exchange of technical and scientific knowledge, with visitors such as Marco Polo spreading information about the richness and splendor of the Chinese cities, as well as the prowess of Chinese in printing and making of gunpowder (Ebrey 171). This critically highlights the technological history of China that is currently at its peak.
The chapter also highlights the turbulent relationship between the steppe nomads and the inner Asian states. The China proper and the inner Asians would at times fight over the exchange of foodstuffs during the drought seasons while at the time make good friends for coexistence. The inner Asians were sparsely populated in non-arable lands and therefore, relied on China proper for foodstuffs (Ebrey 164).
These three conquest dynasties had a significant impact on the Chinese political consciousness, Chinese government institutions and on food, dress, language, and music.
