Early Chinese Empires

After the beginnings of agricultural booms across the world, civilizations led to empires. China was and still is one of the largest nations in the world, with a large population and industrial trade. During the legacy of the past dynasties, the provinces of China were all in position to take totalitarian power over one another. In my opinion, the most impressive feats accomplished by the Chinese were the Great Wall, Grand Canal, and naval fleet, all of which showcased early China’s attempts for a role in global dominance.

The Chinese were far more advanced at the time than the Egyptians and Romans, who were just starting their great civilizations and empires. The first dynasty covered by the documentary, the Qin, started the process of completing

the Great Wall, which served as protection from outside dangers and influences and symbolized unification of all Chinese provinces under Emperor Shi Huangdi. The other interesting aspect of the Qin Dynasty segment was Huangdi’s increasing paranoia, which resulted in the creation of his magnificent mausoleum and nearby Terracotta Army. It will be certainly surprising to see how the inside of the mausoleum has fared and what is uncovered.
With the next Chinese dynasty, the Sui, Emperor Yang Di devised a plan to unite the Yangtze River and Yellow River, which were the two main trade rivers within the nation. The Grand Canal accomplished its purpose to trade goods quickly, just like the Panama Canal. Like the Great Wall, harsh manual labor was used to create the Grand Canal.
The last dynasty discussed, the Ming, created one of the world’s most impressive naval fleets, rivaling the likes of the early Spanish and Allied Forces of World War II. The armada of over 300 ships was prepped for war, utilizing innovative blueprint layouts. If the purpose of the fleet was to project China’s power to the entire world, it certainly accomplished the task.
The early dynasties of China were mostly short-lived, ending in civilian revolts and uprisings, but led to some of the most daring projects completed by human hands. The Great Wall, Grand Canal, and armada showcase China’s efforts taken to gain a significant position in worldwide competency.