Just as the name implies, the Three Kingdoms were made up of three kingdoms - the Kingdom of Wei, Kingdom of Shu and Kingdom of Wu. As a single dynasty, the Three Kingdoms Period originated in 220 AD when the Kingdom of Wei replaced the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 AD-220 AD) and ended in 280 AD when the Kingdom of Wu was defeated by the Court of Jin. It is considered to be a special historical period full of power struggles and sophisticated military strategies.
Political History
In 189 when Emperor Ling of the Eastern Han dynasty died, a young emperor - Emperor Shao was put on the throne. Resenting the manipulation of eunuchs, two generals Yuan Shao and He Jin plotted to murder them. During the chaos caused by the fighting between the eunuchs and generals, Dong Zhuo, a treacherous court official of the Eastern Han drove his army into Luoyang. With full political power in his hand, Dong Zhuo dethroned Emperor Shao and put Emperor Xian on the throne. All Dong's deeds aroused strong protest from the courtiers and many local officials. As the political situation became acute, a large-scale civil war finally broke out.
After Dong Zhuo invaded Luoyang, Cao Cao fled to Chenliu (currently southeast of Kaifeng in Henan Province) and began to assemble military forces to revolt. In 193, Dong was killed in a mutiny but the melee remained. This period of unrest continued until 196, Balkanized areas were formed among which the most two powerful ones were those of Yuan Shao and Cao Cao.
In 196, Cao Cao held Emperor Xian under duress and took this advantage to strengthen his military power. In 201, with comparatively weaker strength, Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao in the Battle of Guandu after which he gradually unified the northern area of China. In 209, Cao Cao drove his troops to the southern area and captured Jingzhou. But when he wanted to expand his power further to the south, he was defeated by the allied forces of Liu Bei and Sun Quan in the Battle of Red Cliff and thus he withdrew his army back to the central plains of China.
In 220 when Cao Cao died, his eldest son Cao Pi proclaimed himself emperor, with Wei as his National Title and Luoyang as his capital city. In 221, Liu Bei proclaimed himself emperor, with Shu his national title and Chengdu the capital city. And in 229, Sun Quan proclaimed himself emperor in Wuchang (currently Wuhan), and later moved the capital to Jiankang (currently Nanjing), with the national title Wu. Since then, the so-called Three Kingdoms' Tripartite Confrontation was formed. On the whole, Wei occupied the north, Shu occupied the southwest and Wu occupied the southeast.
Upon the founding of the three kingdoms, rulers of each kingdom all committed to improve the way of ruling and develop their national economy. In the Kingdom of Wei, Cao Cao made many reforms to discard old policies inform previous dynasties. The Tun Tian (farming done by soldiers) System was also carried out, which greatly promoted the national productivity. In the Kingdom of Shu, Zhuge Liang set up strict social order and tried to govern the kingdom by law. With his assistance, Shu's agriculture and handicraft industry developed rapidly. Additionally, Shu formed a friendly relationship with ethnic minorities in southwestern areas. In the Kingdom of Wu, the shipbuilding industry was much more prosperous. As for the national strength, the Kingdom of Wei ranked first, Wu second and Shu third.
Throughout the Three Kingdoms Period, battles between the three countries were countless. Among those, battles between Shu and Wu fighting for Jingzhou, Shu and Wei fighting for Hanzhong as well as Wei defeating Shu were all illustrious ones in Chinese history.
Finally, the end of the Three Kingdoms Period started from the Sima Yan (son of Sima Yi and chancellor of Wei)'s usurpation of Wei and the establishment of the Jin Dynasty (265 - 420). In 282 when the Jin army conquered the last kingdom - Wu's capital, the Three Kingdoms Period was ended.
Emperors of the Three Kingdoms Period
| Order | Name | Notes | Reign Time (years) |
| Kingdom of Wei (220-265) | |||
| 1 | Wei Wendi (Cao Pi) | The second son of the Chinese politician and poet Cao Cao; he is considered the founder of the Kingdom of Wei | 220 - 226 |
| 2 | Wei Mingdi (Cao Rui) | Son of Cao Pi; during his reign, the Shu and Wu become more entrenched. Before he died, he entrusted his son Cao Fang to the regency of Cao Shuang and Sima Yi - ultimately a fatal mistake for his empire. | 226 - 239 |
| 3 | Wei Qiwang (Cao Fang) | Adopted son of Cao Rui, he was rumored to be the son of Cao Kai who was a grandson of Cao Cao. Although, he reigned longer than any other emperor in Wei's history, he did not have any real imperial authority. He was eventually deposed by Sima Yi. | 239 - 254 |
| 4 | Gaoguixiang Gong (Cao Mao) | A grandson of Cao Pi, his reign was under the domination of the Simas. He attempted a coup against Sima Zhao, but was killed by Sima's troop. | 254 - 260 |
| 5 | Wei Yuandi (Cao Huan) | A grandson of Cao Cao, and the last emperor of Wei who was still a figurehead of the Simas. During his reign, the Shu was defeated by the Wei. He was forced to abdicate by Sima Yan, and was given the title of "Prince of Chenliu" which he retained for the rest of his life. | 260 - 265 |
| Kingdom of Shu (221-263) | |||
| 1 | Zhao Liedi (Liu Bei) | A descendant of the Western Han (206 BC - 24 AD) imperial family and born into the commoner class. With military counselor Zhuge Liang's assistance, he founded Kingdom of Shu and became the first emperor of the Shu. | 221 - 223 |
| 2 | Hou Zhu (Liu Chan) | The second and last emperor of the Kingdom of Shu. During his reign, he surrendered to the Kingdom of Wei in 263. | 223 - 263 |
| Kingdom of Wu (222-280) | |||
| 1 | Dadi (Sun Quan) | Son of Sun Jian and founder of the Kingdom of Wu, Sun Quan had the longest reign among the emperors of Kingdom of Wu | 222 - 252 |
| 2 | Kuai ji wang (Sun Liang) | Sun Quan's youngest son and heir, he was known as the Prince of Kuaiji , a title given to him after he was removed by the regent Sun Lin | 252 - 258 |
| 3 | Jingdi (Sun Xiu) | Another son of Sun Quan and brother of Sun Liang, Sun Xu was known for being tolerant of differing opinions and for being studious | 258 - 264 |
| 4 | Wen Cheng Hou (Sun Hao) | The eldest son of Sun He and a crown prince of the first emperor Sun Quan. During his reign, he surrendered to the Jin Court. | 264 - 280 |
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Travelers' Voices on Three Kingdoms Period
1.
May. 18,2009 10:08 Reply
Mr.Tanyijiang(Singapore) said:
I love Guan Yu aka yun cheng because he is so brave and smart and he is also very strong ...why here don hav about him so many i wan know more i like history XD
Sep. 28,2009 19:45
Mr.Xander(USA) replied:
sorry to burst ur bubble but Guan Yu was Captured at mai da after Liu Beis nephew refused Guan yus Reinforcements after the Battle of Fan castle went wrong for shu......wei made a deal with wu to split jing in half but wu ripped wei of....Wu surrounded Guan Yu and his son Guan Ping Sun Quan ordered guan yu to join wu when guan yu scoffed at sun quan Quantook out his sword and endedboth father and son......a week later wu sent Cao Cao Guan yus head who gave him a heroes burial Pings Head was supposedly left to rot at mai da castle when Liu Bei caught wind of this it wasnt pretty
Nov. 7,2009 02:12
Mr.Lame(Singapore) replied:
Guan Yu(Yun Chang)is one of China's most admired man,why?There are two stories.
One is when Cao Cao managed to capture Guan yu and Guan Yu promised to serve him temporarily until he finds out where Liu Bei is.he went through a series of fights and troubles when Cao cao's men tried to kill him even though Cao Cao ordered to let him pass.
Second is that of"Guan yu went for banquet but Armed".this is the last time when Lu Su requested for Liu Bei to return Jing zhou to Wu.Lu Su planted ambush secretly then.
2.
Apr. 5,2009 18:42 Reply
Ms.Kristi(troutman) said:
What is all this about i don't understand it and then i have 2 do a project on it HELP ME!!!
May. 20,2009 21:29
Mr.Chakraborty(USA) replied:
Cao Cao was a brilliant visionary who ruled the Kingdom of Wei, the biggest on in the north. Shu was ruled by Liu Bei, the goody-two shoes, and Wu by Sun Quan, who just wanted his kingdom to be safe. Most wars were between Cao Cao and Liu Bei. Say if u want more.
Oct. 16,2009 21:55
Mr.Xander(USA) replied:
The Three Kingdom period in china started whenthe yellow turbans rebelled.....He Jin grew a army large enough to crush the newly risen rebellion....dong zhao was part of this ary butthe yellow turbans convinced him that the han was falling so he rebelled
a new coalition rose up against him after his death the yuans went to war with Cao Cao Sun Ce newly risen ruler of the Sun clan after SunJians death than Ce killed jians killer only for him self to die just days later so in the quest for Wu the Sun family lost the father and the eldest so the new ruler of the family was the young Sun Quan mean while Cao Cao fought and destroyed his enemy but friend Yuan Shao
the young liubei was a Vagrant after he left the Coalition against Dong Zhao cao cao took him in and gave him troops on one condition:Guan Yu stayed with Cao Cao.CaoCao had a plan he was gonna assasinate LiuBei when he went to kill the throne usurper Yuan Shu when the attempt failed liubei and his brother Zhang Fei ran with 5000 of Cao Caos best horsemen and troops but Guan Yu remained CaoCaos guestwhenGuan finally ran it was time for a battle the new state Wu planned to go u against the northern state Weiliubei nd Sun Quan joined for a battle at the red cliffs [chibi] when cao caos master fleet was destroyed lubei seized jing from wei
the Tree Kingdoms Period has begun:Wei Wu and Liu Beis force still unnamed liu bei knew that when CaoCao regained his forces he would obviously go after Beiwhen Cheng Du...liubeis land...was a target for bei he was upset because his kinsmen Liu Zhang owned the land of Shuwhen chengdu fell there were indeed three kingdoms wei wu ans shu
Cao cao of the north Sunquan of the south and liubeu of the han though shu wasnt a kingdom hanzhong was the birthplace of the han it had to be the birth place of shu too good bye and good luck
Nov. 7,2009 02:06
Mr.Lame(Singapore) replied:
I got the whole volume of disc and I finished it.
The Three Kingdom starts when the Han falls and the kings are too young.Zhnag Jiao led the Yellow Turbans andrebelled.It was why Liu Bei,Zhang Fei and Guan Yu became sworn brothers and fought of the Yellow Turbans.
next Dong Zhuo seized power,but after a while the traitor was killed by his own foster son Lu Bu.
Now Yuan Shao and Cao Cao battled and Cao Cao won,as well as ending the Yuan Clan.Unfortunately when the whole battle almost ended Guo Jia,one of Cao Cao's best straegists,died.His calculations were are always correct and enemies repeatly fell into his traps.
then the Battle at Red Cliff(Chi Bi)comes in.After that Liu Bei,with Zhao Yun and Zhuge Liang along,conquered the whole West Shu.This is where the Kingdoms are lauched.
3.
Oct. 14,2009 09:27 Reply
Mr.Dman(USA) said:
I've read up on the three kingdoms, even read th whole novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms and I'm pretty sure that Lu Bu tried to rule, but no one liked him. I even own the games that goes along with this part of history. To be honest, I think Liu Bei was a coward until he found out that Sun Quan murdered Guan Yu and Guan Ping. Even though that I could never find out how Sun Jian dies, I'm sure it was of old age or illness.
Oct. 16,2009 21:59
Mr.Xander(USA) replied:
Sun Jin died of a poison arrow i attempt to gain control of Wu
Oct. 31,2009 03:35
Ms.Mat(China) replied:
where is Sun Shang Xiang
Oct. 31,2009 03:38
Mr.biliard(USA) replied:
Dong Zuo was lubu's adopted father he married Dao chan and was a lover of horse. YEllow people were just a school who believed in communism.
Nov. 7,2009 01:58
Mr.Lame(Singapore) replied:
sun Jian died by been shot by an arrow as he sweared to the heavens to Yuan Shao that if he had the imperial seal,he will die of an arrow.
Nov. 7,2009 01:59
Mr.Lame(Singapore) replied:
Sun Shang Xiang is the last wife of Liu Bei,the third.She commited suicide when she heard that the message from Sun Quan that the Dowager is ill is a fake.
4.
May. 7,2009 18:14 Reply
Mr.Alex(Croatia) said:
i hate Liu Bei, a hypocrite ... Cao wanted democracy , Quan for united states similar to USA, and Bei to be the emperor .
The only warlord that wanted Han to continue was Ma Teng...
if any has some books or documentary about this period , please write me to alexander.baliko@gmail.com or on playstation network i'm Raccoon!
May. 20,2009 21:26
Mr.Chakraborty(USA) replied:
Cao Cao didn't want democracy...where did you find that out??
Sep. 27,2009 22:34
Mr.Qin(MY) replied:
Liu Bei is really a hypocrite and cao cao didn't want democracy but he wanted to be King Wen of Zhou let his son to be emperor.
Sep. 28,2009 19:18
Mr.Xander(USA) replied:
actually Liu Bei was a desendant of the han founder ....true Bei wanted to be the Emperor but Zhuge Liang wouldnt have joined Shu if he didnt see how much of a great man Bei was
Oct. 31,2009 03:40
Mr.ming(china) replied:
Cao Cao wanted a women and he started a war just for her he is cruel he also killed the han dynasty king
Nov. 7,2009 01:56
Mr.Lame(Singapore) replied:
What the hell is that?Liu Bei may be a hypocrite,but Cao cao is the villian of the whole thing!as what mr.Chakraborty said,Cao cao didn't want a democracy!
5.
Nov. 7,2009 01:54 Reply
Mr.Unknown(Singapore) said:
Liu Bei is the relative of the Han emporor Liu Ban in generations and his ambition is to restore the former Han back to original...why did people insulted him as a hypocrite?Cao Cao is one who is the villian that wants to rule China and change it into another state,a Han thief.Sun Quan is not a very bad guy as his dream is to bring peace to the troubled land.
Cao Cao may be heard as the hero,but Sima Yan is more like it.
As for Yellow Turbans led by Zhang Jiao,they are just simply rebellions and Zhang Jiao wants to control the mandate of heavens.(to be continued)
6.
Sep. 28,2009 20:18 Reply
Mr.france(india) said:
i recokon lui bei should have been the emporer of the han dynasty warriors
ohh well, i love the dynasty warriors history.
Oct. 31,2009 03:39
Mr.yi(england) replied:
Liu bei had three wives
Nov. 5,2009 04:14
Mr.FROGMAN(China) replied:
It is a rumor that Cao Cao wanted a woman and he started a war just for her,which was fabricated just for romance or insulting Cao Cao.He was not Romeo and beauties were nothing in his heart.
And it was impossible that a prince fought for democracy then,220-265.Maybe what puzzled you very much is why Chinese disliked him and insulted him.
Because in the ancient China,one's origin was very important, unluckily his foe Liu was considered to be of noble origins.therefore,CaoCao ,whose Adoptive grand-father was an eunuch despised by scholars, was very undeserved who had to accept rumors from intellects.
7.
Nov. 4,2009 23:03 Reply
Mr.Josh(USA) said:
What about Zhang Fei he died along with Guan Yu.While they were trying to stop Wei an Wu from catching Liu Bei.Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were outnumbered 10-1.=(
8.
Oct. 4,2009 12:45 Reply
Mr.Tonthat(usa) said:
Sun Jain is considered the Tiger of Jaing dong
I think the battle of chi bi is wat allowed shu and wu to be a kingdom for so long
9.
Sep. 28,2009 19:28 Reply
Mr.Xander(USA) said:
The Three Kings had a differant View on there Goals Bei wanted to Restore the Han and have total peace Cao Cao wanted toleave the land for no one to rule and Sun Quan wanted Wei Wu and Shu to live in peace......to be truthful...i think Liu Bei is the "Good Guy" but all there goals are the same in some way but weis means to accomplish its goals were infact evil
10.
Aug. 25,2009 08:22 Reply
Mr.jamaican(usa) said:
guan yu should have kill cao meng-te...i hate that cao cao
Sep. 27,2009 22:32
Mr.Qin(MY) replied:
Because of cao cao the china are easily united and he is the first one who realize that the peace has gone and nid to defeat other warlord to unite the china