Political Change Across Time

The Qin Dynasty reunited and redefined China after the Warring States Period. It was ruled with principles of Legalism. Its fall came with the rebellion that followed the death of its emperor.

After the civil war that followed the death of the emperor of the Qin Dynasty, the Han Dynasty restored political order. It was characterized by a strong central government. The first civil examination system was instated, allowing for the common man to have a place in government in rare cases.

The Sui Dynasty united northern and southern China. Many other political reforms were also created, and its emperor ruled with Confuciansm as his philosophy. The dynasty fell quickly, but attributed to the success to later dynasties.

The Song Dynasty was ruled by a resilient central administration fueled by the examination system. It met much resistance by the Mongol nomads, and fell at their hands.

The Mongols ruled the Yuan Dynasty, and infiltrated the lands which they were previously foreigners to. The Mongols took the Chinese political systems, including its taxation and their postal system.

The Mauryan Empire was an impressive political structure that became India's first wide-scale political system. It was characterized by an efficient tax system and well-known emperors such as Ashoka.

Ashoka was the emperor of the Mauryan Dynasty in India. He left his political edicts transcribed on stone throughout his kingdom. He sought a moralistic approach to governance.

The Mughal Empire established unified control over most of the Indian Peninsula. It gave this area a rare period of political unity and laid the foundation for future British colonization.

The Greek city-states were distinctive due to the fact that they were not found as a cohesive empire, but rather in hundreds of smaller city-states. The empire's most distinctive feature was its concept of citizenship, which allowed popular participation in political life.

Alexander the Great created a Greek empire from Egypt to India, defeating the great Persian Empire in the process.
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The Roman Empire began as a city, but overthrew its monarchy and developed a republic. It then began a 500-year empire building process, accompanied by another political change as an emperor was reinstated. The Pax Romana allowed for imperial Rome's greatest extent and authority. The western half of the empire collapsed due to over extension and rivalry among members of the ruling classes. The eastern half became the Byzantine Empire.

The Seventeen Article Constitution was published in Japan by Shotoku Taishi, who founded Japan on the bureaucratic principles of China. It outlined Japan's political system, establishing a foundation for taxation systems, law codes, and government administrations for the Japanese state.

The Communist Manifesto, written by Karl Marx was the most significant expression of the principles of modern socialism.
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The INC gave expression to the idea that British ruled India was its own nation, giving birth to Indian nationalism. It gave Indians a wider range of opportunities in a colonial system.
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The Mayan civilization was one of Mesoamerica's largest of its time. It made great advances as an empire, expanding its influence through Mesoamerica. Its fall is its most intriguing characteristic. All of the Maya's well constructed and ruled cities mysteriously disappeared, leaving historians to wonder why such an advanced and organized culture suddenly vanished.

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