Proszę i sprawdzanie błędów gramatycznych i słownictwa. Jest to streszczenie pracy licencjackiej.
Chinese civilization is one of the world’s oldest and largest civilizations formed around 6000 BC. First villages were established in the northern part of China along big rivers like Yangtze and Yellow River. Eventually Chinese formed cities, then kingdoms and started to conquer one another, accordingly this civilization was engaged in military activity from its origins. Kingdoms in ancient China were devoted to frequent wars of expansion and defense of their territories. They developed warfare to an advanced level to meet their demands. The purpose of this study is to investigate ancient Chinese military and illustrate how it changed in early Chinese dynasties.
First military activity was recorded in Xia Dynasty (c. 2100 – c. 1600 BC). The history of first Chinese dynasties is enfolded in mythology and largely unknown. In fact, existence of this dynasty is still questioned by some scholars. People in Xia dynasty where the first in Far East to use copper weapons and chariots. Chariots allowed them to dominate wars with endless stream of cooperating tribes which invaded China since the dawn of civilization. Bronze weapons such as spears and swords were the main equipment of both the infantry and charioteers.
In Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BC) chariots evolved rapidly. New chariots were able to seat three people - warrior which had used a long handled axe with a dagger blade mounted on it, archer which had become equipped with compound bow. Chariots are considered to be shock units as well as mobile command centers of Shang dynasty armies. Nevertheless, the majority of the army was made up of peasants engaged by noblemen who were ruling dynasty. Massive armies of 15 000 soldiers could have been called when faced serious danger like invasion. Shang infantry were armed with spears, pole-axes, long handled dagger-axes and simple bows. Shields and occasionally bronze or leather helmets were used for defense.
The Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BC) is China’s longest lasting dynasty. The Zhou armies extended their authority over China and hit a peak under King Zhao, conquering the central territories of the Middle Kingdom. However, then the power of the Zhou court weakened by degrees due to domestic rivalry. The kingdom split into smaller states as ruling nobles decided to form their own dynasties. Warfare became ritualistic even as it grew more unremorseful and cruel. It was seen as an aristocratic issue and one kingdom would not attack another when mourning its king.
In Warring States Period (476–221 BC) war became more intense, ruthless and much more decisive. In this period many aspects of Chinese military would be ameliorated. Infantry, archers and cavalry all worked collectively. Bronze was replaced by iron in much of the weapons and armors of the era. The size of armies largely increased and frequently achieved up to a couple of hundred thousand. Leather armor covered with bronze or iron plates may have been a typical heavy infantry man’s equipment. The idea of crossbow was borrowed from encountered tribes. The Warring States also was a time of evolution in military strategy. The Art of War is said to be written by Sun-Tzu during this period. The book is considered to be the most influential military strategy guide in history. However, more military classics were written in this period.
Military was extremely important since dawn of Middle Kingdom’s civilization. Perpetual warfare between tribes and then kingdoms in ancient China was an incentive to develop war strategies and equipment. After Warring States period Chinese made dynamic progress in professional army and developed new unusual military strategies as spy craft or using assassins and conducting silent war.