CHINA
Map
of Xia China c.2000 BC :
The
semi-mythical first dynasty of China emerged in territory along
the Yellow River, quickly conquering and dominating the rival early
states around it, especially the Shang tribe who would later pose
such a threat to Xia hegemony, but also others such as the largely
mysterious Pi, and Ge.
![](Map_China_2000BC_big.jpg)
Map
of Shang China c.1500 BC :
The
Shang controlled central China, including a long stretch of the
Yellow River and a large number of subject tribes or kingdoms, and
they ushered China into the historical record - however, the Shang
did not form China's only civilisation; the Sanxingdui culture had
formed in western China entirely independently of the Yellow River
cultures.
![](Map_China_1500BC_big.jpg)
Map
of Zhou China c.1000 BC :
The
Zhou took over the Shang kingdom and expanded it eastwards to encompass
much more of the coast and north-westwards at the expense of the
barbarian tribes, while in the west the Sanxingdui culture was enjoying
its last days before two natural disasters in half a century finished
it.
![](Map_China_1000BC_big.jpg)
Map
of Zhou China c.700 BC :
The
Middle Zhou or 'Spring and Autumn Period' witnessed the gradual
breakdown of imperial authority and the rise of semi-independent
feudal states which eventually tore the kingdom apart.
![](Map_China_700BC_big.jpg)
Map
of Zhou China c.400 BC :
The
Late Zhou period also heralded the 'Warring States Era' which saw
almost three centuries of bitter rivalry and warfare between a mass
of fractured Chinese kingdoms. Eventually the kingdom of Qin, on
the western edge of early China would conquer the rest, while the
Shu and Ba people were also brought into the kingdom for the first
time.
![](Map_China_400BC_big.jpg)