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Chinese history began with the advent of the [[Shang dynasty]] about 1500 BC and continues to the president day. [[China]] has long been the most populous country in the world. It's warring states were united into a single nation by [[Qin Shihuang]] in 221 BC. For the next two thousand years, China was ruled by a series of imperial dynasties who followed the principles of [[Confucianism]]. In 1949, a Communist state was established. Market-oriented reforms have allowed the country to prosper economically since 1980. However, the Communist Party maintains a monopoly on political power. In 1989, the army killed thousands of anti-Communist demonstrators in the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

Chinese history began with the advent of the [[Shang dynasty]] about 1500 BC and continues to the president day. [[China]] has long been the most populous country in the world. It's warring states were united into a single nation by [[Qin Shihuang]] in 221 BC. For the next two thousand years, China was ruled by a series of imperial dynasties who followed the principles of [[Confucianism]]. In 1949, a Communist state was established. During the [[Great Leap Forward]], the Communists starved the nation to maximize rice exports. The money raised was used purchase materials and equipment from Russia required to build a nuclear bomb. Market-oriented reforms have allowed the country to prosper economically since 1978. However, the Communist Party maintains a monopoly on political power. In 1989, the army killed thousands of anti-Communist demonstrators in the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

[[File:China1.jpg|thumb|200px]]

[[File:China1.jpg|thumb|200px]]

{{History of China}}  

{{History of China}}