Zheng He

I am an explorer who has sailed to Cochin and Africa.  While traveling I have visited 37 countries.  My fleet is unmatched by any country.  I have 62 ships which each are 400 feet long, and also 200 transport ships.  I have been sailing to promote trade and collect tribute from weaker nations.  Now during 1435 CE I am at death's door, and I am afraid that immediately after my death; the Ming Dynasty may recall my fleet.  There is talk that China shouldn't be open for other countries to visit there, and instead should focus on itself.  If the government adopts that philosophy then maybe they will burn my fleet to the ground.  If that destruction to my ships is done, we will be completely susceptible to foreign invaders...

"Zheng He." Image. Instructional Resources Corporation. World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras.
ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 20 Oct. 2010. <http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/>

Sung Dynasty

In 960 CE, I, Zhao Kuangyin, overthrew the Tang Dynasty and started the Sung Dynasty.  Now you can call me Emperor Taizu.  My army is expanding because of new inventions such as steel tipped arrows and even gun powder.  Our advancements in iron and steel production are now being used for agriculture and also for suspended bridges.  We now have rice that grows twice as fast, meaning we can trade some with our new paper money. The Grand Canal is being built.  Thanks to me, trade is expanding.  Book printing is easier so more of my people are able to get and read books.  I say it is a golden age for China because much is being accomplished; I pray it won't come to a close.

"Song dynasty." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras.
ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 19 Oct. 2010. <http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/>

Tang Dynasty

It is 618 CE, 400 years after the Han Dynasty collapsed.  The Tang Dynasty is finally taking off.  Emperor Li Yaun's son, Tan Taizong, is my general in the army.  We have expanded very far westward.  During our army's conquest, my wife has sent me much of Du Fu's new poetry.  She tells me that China has united very well, but taxes have increased.  She also is saying the civil service system has enlarged.  There is word of corruption and drought back home.  It is quite significant to China that we have expanded so much.

"Tang dynasty." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras.
ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 19 Oct. 2010. <http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/>

Mongols take China

 Genghis Khan-
I am... Genghis Khan, ruler of the Mongols, who lives in the steppes!  My father was murdered when I was nine when I was still named Temujin.ow I want revenge.  It is 1211 CE so we should wipe out that pitiful China!  Northern China cannot possibly stop us.
 Ogadai-
That's what my father said, I am Ogadai.  It is now 1235 CE and we have beaten Northern China.  We are now battling the Sung Dynasty. 
Kublai -
We have defeated the Sung!  Now I can rule the Chinese as their emperor!  Now my city Ta-tu and the Yuan Dynasty can prosper in this wonderful time of 1271 CE.  We are a fair and just empire.  Marco Polo is in awe.  Only fellow Mongols can serve in the military.  That is water under the bridge, for our victory over China has changed its history forever.



Jackson, Peter. "Mongols." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras.
ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 19 Oct. 2010. <http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/>

Han Dynasty

Three years ago, Qin Shi Huangdi died.  Now Liu Bang has stepped up and restored stability for those of us who are peasants.  Confucianism has become the official state philosophy.  There is also a civil service test, for which the results determine a person's future. I have been ordered to go out and help with extending the Great Wall during this tough year of 206 BCE.  Qin Shi Huangdi also wants us to build watch towers.  There are rumors that the citizens will revolt before 184 CE.  The spread of Confucianism will probably change China forever.
"Imperial China Comes of Age (Overview)." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras.
ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 20 Oct. 2010. <http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/>

Buddhism comes to China

Last week, during my travels on the Silk Road in the time of 25 CE, I heard talk of this new thing called Buddhism.  Apparently some officials sent by Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty had just gone by with two white horses carrying the scriptures of Buddha.  During the week I traveled back to Chang'an to find out more information.  As I was arriving, the emperor ordered the building of this White Horse Temple.  I'm sure the new religion, Buddhism, arriving in China, will change the country forever.

"Sui dynasty rock-carved Buddha." Image. Alfred J. Andrea. World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras.

ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 20 Oct. 2010. <http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/>

Great Wall

It is 220 BCE and our county's first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, has ordered us to make a great wall.  He has declared that 20% of the country's workforce, including myself, will work on this giant barrier.  The working conditions are terrible.  Anyone who questions us building the wall or tries to escape is killed.  We have to work extremely hard for long hours, and it is bitter cold.  Yesterday, my good friend, Zi Song Chin Lee, died.  Everyone saw viewed his death as normal, and they simply buried him in the wall!  It may be tough, but my work will live on.  Nothing in the entire world can match the strength of this colossal project.

Stockdale, Nancy. "China's Great Wall: Overview." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras.
ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 20 Oct. 2010. <http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/>

Confucius

I am Confucius, born in 551 BCE within Northwest China during the Chou Dynasty.  My father died when I was three so I have lived since then with my mother.  When I was younger, the Chou Dynasty was ending, so people were violent.  I came up with the idea of goodness.  I spoke of society being in harmony if the ruler is good and everybody performs their duties.  Because I said that people should let their rulers know of the leader's wrong doings, I was dismissed.  Now I spend my days as a wandering teacher.  I am sure that my message will live on in the hearts of men forever.  China will never be the same.

"Confucius." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras.
ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 20 Oct. 2010. <http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/>

Unification of China

I am a soldier of the Qin Shi Huangdi during this time of warring states.  The year is 220 B.C.  There is a struggle for power between all of the tribes shown below.  We are far greater than the others, and one by one, the others will fall.   We have been making iron weapons for the past few years, allowing me and my fellow soldiers to act as infantry.  Not only that, we have horses.  Because of our superior weaponry we are conquering all of the other states and establishing a single China.  One country.  That accomplishment will go down in history!
"Era of Warring States." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras.
ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 20 Oct. 2010. <http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/>

Taoism

I am Lao-tzu, the creator of Taoism.  Some people say I am not real, but here I am.  I came up with my idea during the era of warring states after seeing all of that senseless hate and violence.  If you ask me what Taoism is, all I can tell you is, "I don't know".  Many of my followers refer to Taoism as "defining the undefinable".  Things happen because they are meant to be.  Taoism will live on because it is meant to be.

"Taoism." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 13 Oct. 2010. <http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/>