The Pattern of the Chinese Past(II)

In chapter two Elvin starts analysing Chinese imperial history from the Chin dynasty (BC 221-207). Chapter 3 is about the crisis of the Empire in the third century AD, a time when China was divided into three rival kingdoms, with Wei (魏) in the north, Wu (吳) south of the Yantze and Shu (蜀) in Szechwan.1 Chapter 4 focuses on development in Northern China, to see show it was overrun by barbarian armies. Unity of the Empire was restored under the Sui dynasty (AD 589 -617) which was then succeeded by Tang (AD 618-906) .2 These dynasties belonged to two consecutive periods of the middle empire which is discussed in details in chapter 5. In many respects, immediately before this period, the Chinese empire was a synthesis of sino-barbarians. In chapter 6, Elvin talks about the Sung dynasty (AD 906 - 1126). During this period, economic and technological revolution occurred, this had the effect of reducing the burden of the administration, and increasing its efficiency as a war machine. It was also at this moment that the Empire began to diverge significantly from that of Europe in terms of development. Chinese society developed in the direction of manorialism, but the state retained control over defence function, and there was no feudal superstructure in China.3 Sung became a powerful state, yet eventually it was conquered by barbarian forces from the north. (to be continued)

Notes:
1.Elvin, Mark. The Pattern of the Chinese Past. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1973, page 35
2. page 53
3. page 69