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The '''Five Dynasties''' was an era of political upheaval in 10th-century China. In the northern capital of Kaifeng, five regime succeeded one after another. More than a dozen states, referred to collectively as the [[Ten Kingdoms]], were established elsewhere, mainly in [[south China]].

The '''Five Dynasties''' was an era of political upheaval in 10th-century China. In the northern capital of Kaifeng, five regime succeeded one after another. More than a dozen states, referred to collectively as the [[Ten Kingdoms]], were established elsewhere, mainly in [[south China]].

The Later Liang, the first of the five dynasties, was established upon the fall of the [[Tang dynasty]] in 907. The era ended with the founding of the [[Song dynasty]] in 960. Many states were ruled by independent-minded military governors long before the collapse of the Tang. One of the kingdoms, the Northern Han, survived until 979.

The Later Liang, the first of the five dynasties, was established upon the fall of the [[Tang dynasty]] in 907. The era ended with the founding of the [[Song dynasty]] in 960. Many provinces were ruled by independent-minded military governors long before the collapse of the Tang. One of the kingdoms, the Northern Han, survived until 979.

{{language box|title=Five Dynasties|t=五代|s=五代|p=Wǔdài}}

{{language box|title=Five Dynasties|t=五代|s=五代|p=Wǔdài}}

Poetry and wood-block printing flowered in this period. The [[Five Classics]] were published by [[Feng Dao]], the Chinese [[Johannes Gutenberg|Gutenberg]]. The canal and dam system of northern China fell into disrepair, leading to extensive flooding and famine. Commerce grew so quickly that there was a shortage of metallic currency. This was partly addressed by the creation of bank drafts, or "flying money" (''feiqian''), as well as by certificates of deposi

Poetry and wood-block printing flowered in this period. The [[Five Classics]] were published by [[Feng Dao]], the Chinese [[Johannes Gutenberg|Gutenberg]]. The canal and dam system of northern China fell into disrepair, leading to extensive flooding and famine. Commerce grew so quickly that there was a shortage of metallic currency. This was partly addressed by the creation of bank drafts, or "flying money" (''feiqian''), as well as by certificates of deposi

==Dynasties==

==Dynasties==

{{History of China}}

{{History of China}}

===Later Liang===

===Later Liang===

The Liang Dynasty was founded by a Turkic tribe from modern day [[Kyrgyzstan]]. Despite resistance to outside rule, it was the longest of the major dynasties of this period. It collapsed due to unrest in the territory and pressure from Arabic tribes.

The Liang Dynasty was founded by a Turkic tribe from modern day [[Kyrgyzstan]]. Despite resistance to outside rule, it was the longest of the major dynasties of this period. It collapsed due to unrest in the territory and pressure from Arabic tribes.

===Later Tang===

===Later Tang===

Li Cunxu, a relative of the old Tang royalty, founded the next dynasty. It was to be the restoration of the Tang Dynasty, however most of the royal family died from disease during an outbreak in the capital. With no successors, the dynasty ended with Li Cunxu's death.

Li Cunxu, a relative of the old Tang royalty, founded the next dynasty. It was to be the restoration of the Tang Dynasty, however most of the royal family died from disease during an outbreak in the capital. With no successors, the dynasty ended with Li Cunxu's death.

===Later Jin===

===Later Jin===

In 935, refugees from the fallen [[Silla dynasty]] in Korea arrived in China. The next year, they took advantage of the chaos to start the Jin dynasty. Unlike the earlier Turkic dynasty, the Korean dynasty faced massive opposition. It was eventually overthrown by a rebel coalition.

In 935, refugees from the fallen [[Silla dynasty]] in Korea arrived in China. The next year, they took advantage of the chaos to start the Jin dynasty. Unlike the earlier Turkic dynasty, the Korean dynasty faced massive opposition. It was eventually overthrown by a rebel coalition.

===Later Han===

===Later Han===

After the rebellion, there was major infighting with the rebel leaders over who would rule next. During the struggles, the minor warlord Liu Zhiyuan sneaked into the capital and seized the palace. The old coalition moved quickly to retake the capital. Liu Zhiyuan managed to hold onto his dynasty for just less than five years through military strength alone, as he had no real support.

After the rebellion, there was major infighting with the rebel leaders over who would rule next. During the struggles, the minor warlord Liu Zhiyuan sneaked into the capital and seized the palace. The old coalition moved quickly to retake the capital. Liu Zhiyuan managed to hold onto his dynasty for just less than five years through military strength alone, as he had no real support.

===Later Zhou===

===Later Zhou===

The final dynasty was an early attempt at representative government by Guo Wei. However, after his death his adopted son Chai Rong restructured the dynasty into a traditional imperial form. The dynasty encouraged education, setting the stage for the following Song dynasty.

The final dynasty was an early attempt at representative government by Guo Wei. However, after his death his adopted son Chai Rong restructured the dynasty into a traditional imperial form. The dynasty encouraged education, setting the stage for the following Song dynasty.

===Former and Later Shu===

===Former and Later Shu===

The Shu state was founded by members of the Shu clan, a royal family dating back to the [[Han Dynasty]]. Initially one state, it split into two because of infighting within the family. The Former Shu was controlled by the family patriarchs, the Later Shu was controlled by Shu Xie and his family.

The Shu state was founded by members of the Shu clan, a royal family dating back to the [[Han Dynasty]]. Initially one state, it split into two because of infighting within the family. The Former Shu was controlled by the family patriarchs, the Later Shu was controlled by Shu Xie and his family.

===Southern Tang===

===Southern Tang===

The Southern Tang was composed mostly of [[Manchu]] and [[Tibet|Tibetans]], and is considered the forebear of the [[Qing Dynasty]]. It was one of the first dynasties to fall, after the other states withdrew support for what they saw as an inferior group.

The Southern Tang was composed mostly of [[Manchu]] and [[Tibet|Tibetans]], and is considered the forebear of the [[Qing Dynasty]]. It was one of the first dynasties to fall, after the other states withdrew support for what they saw as an inferior group.

===Wu and Min===

===Wu and Min===

There is less historical information on these states than the others; only personal accounts exist. The Wu state is described as very militaristic, however they hewed to Mohist thought and used their might only for defense. The Min state is described as being wealthy through trade, but weak otherwise. They used trade connections to purchase protection from neighboring states.

There is less historical information on these states than the others; only personal accounts exist. The Wu state is described as very militaristic, however they hewed to Mohist thought and used their might only for defense. The Min state is described as being wealthy through trade, but weak otherwise. They used trade connections to purchase protection from neighboring states.

===Other States===

===Other States===

Among the other kingdoms and states are Yan, Chengde Jiedushi, Yiwu Jiedushi, Ganzhou and Qi. For various reasons, they are not counted as proper kingdoms by most historians.

Among the other kingdoms and states are Yan, Chengde Jiedushi, Yiwu Jiedushi, Ganzhou and Qi. For various reasons, they are not counted as proper kingdoms by most historians.

[[Category:Chinese History]]

[[Category:Chinese History]]