China had two Jin dynasties. The Early Jin Dynasty (265-420 AD) made advances in astronomy, healthcare, and religion. The Second Jin Dynasty (1115-1234 AD), also called the Jurchen Dynasty, flourished in agriculture, commerce, literature, and crafts. However, it was weakened by political corruption and destroyed by the Southern Song and Yuan dynasties in 1234.
During the vast history of China there have been two Jin dynasties. The Early Jin Dynasty lasted from 265 AD to 420 AD and was considered part of the Six Dynasties. The Second Jin Dynasty, which can also be called the Jurchen Dynasty, was in existence from AD 1115 to AD 1234 and exerted power during a 119-year period of the Song Dynasty.
During the early Jin period, advances were made in astronomy, health care, and the inclusion of different ethnic groups. Religion also progressed, as Buddhism became a much more common practice in the south and north. This Jin dynasty was separated into the Western Jin from 265 to 316 and the Eastern Jin, which lasted from 317 to 420. Sima Yan, or Emperor Wu, initiated the Western Jin and established his capital at the city of Luoyang. Sima Rui founded the Eastern Jin and created his centralized power in the city of Jiankang, today’s Nanjing.
The Jin dynasty was successful in unifying the Chinese nation; however, the nomads started attacking and after the War of the Eight Princes, the Western Jin Dynasty was weakened. Local aristocrats were instrumental in establishing the Eastern Jin and supporting its ruler, Emperor Yuan. Although the Eastern Jin succeeded in many military battles, they too succumbed to invading forces and relinquished power to the rebels in 420.
The Second Jin Dynasty in China lasted from 1115 to 1234, and is also called the Jurchen Dynasty. This dynasty was founded by relatives of the Manchus, the Wanyan clan of the Jurchens, or Nuzhens. In 1125, the Jurchen army was able to defeat the Liao dynasty and then turned their attention to the rulers of the Northern Song dynasty and its capital Kaifeng. Once the Northern Songs were defeated, the new Southern Song Dynasty was dominated by the Clan Jurchen and fighting continued throughout the early part of the Southern Song period.
The Jurchens had been farmers and hunters, but after adopting a feudal system during this period, their social economy flourished. Improvements were made in agriculture, commerce, literature and crafts during this period, with the assistance of the Hans.
After making serious enemies of the Mongols and suffering from political corruption, the Jin period finally came to an end. In 1234 the Jurchen dynasty was destroyed by the cooperation of the armed forces of the Southern Song and Yuan dynasty. The Southern Song Dynasty continued to enjoy power until 1279 and the Yuan Dynasty was established in Mongolia.
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