MCQ Detailed View

The Three Kingdoms period is one of the most famous and romanticized eras in Chinese history, officially beginning in 220 CE. This era commenced after the collapse of the Eastern Han Dynasty, which had ruled China for over four centuries. Political corruption, weakened central authority, famine, and constant uprisings had destabilized the Han government, paving the way for ambitious warlords to seize power.

The period derives its name from the three rival states that emerged: Wei, Shu, and Wu. The year 220 CE marked the formal start when Cao Pi, son of the powerful warlord Cao Cao, forced Emperor Xian of Han to abdicate and declared himself the Emperor of Wei. Soon after, other warlords, Liu Bei and Sun Quan, proclaimed themselves rulers of Shu Han and Eastern Wu, respectively.

This division of China into three competing kingdoms led to decades of warfare, shifting alliances, and remarkable military campaigns. Some of the most notable events and battles from this period were immortalized in the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, one of China’s Four Great Classical Novels. Figures like Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, and Zhou Yu became legendary for their strategies, loyalty, and valor.

Despite constant conflict, the Three Kingdoms period was also a time of significant cultural and technological development. Military tactics evolved, administrative systems improved, and trade networks adapted to wartime conditions.

The era lasted until 280 CE, when the Western Jin Dynasty reunified China after conquering Eastern Wu. The legacy of the Three Kingdoms remains deeply rooted in Chinese culture, influencing literature, drama, folklore, and even modern video games and films.

Understanding its start date—220 CE—is essential for anyone studying world history, particularly the dynastic cycles and political fragmentation periods of ancient China.