Ethnic relations in Qin, Han, Sui, Tang, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties

The Qin and Han Dynasties were the initial prosperous period of ethnic relations in China feudal society.

In the north, the relationship between Han regime and Xiongnu is complicated. In the late Warring States period, Xiongnu threatened the Central Plains, forcing northern countries to build the Great Wall to defend themselves. Qin dynasty attacked Xiongnu in the north, built the Great Wall, and moved inland to enrich the border defense. After the "Deng Bai Trap" in the early years of the Western Han Dynasty, the policy of "pro-marriage" was adopted for the Xiongnu, but it could not prevent the invasion of the northern territory. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the society was prosperous and the national strength was strong. He defeated the Xiongnu three times and basically relieved the threat from the north. In the early years of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu split into two parts, and the northern Xiongnu constantly harassed the northern border counties. The government of the Eastern Han Dynasty defeated the Northern Xiongnu twice, which relieved its threat to the Western Regions and the Eastern Han Dynasty.

During the Han dynasty, close trade relations and cultural exchanges began with all ethnic groups in the western regions. Zhang Qian and Ban Chao successively sent missions to the Western Regions, which communicated the exchanges between the ethnic minorities and the Han nationality in the Western Regions, strengthened the ties between the Western Regions and the mainland, promoted the economic and cultural exchanges between ethnic groups and the development of the Western Regions, and enriched the lives of the Han nationality and people of all ethnic groups in the Western Regions. The territory of the Han Dynasty also expanded.

The Qin and Han dynasties were also the stage of the initial development and jurisdiction of the southern minority areas in ancient China. Qin Zheng conquered the state of Yue in the Pearl River valley, set up three counties in the local area, moved people from the Central Plains to defend there, and dug a lingqu to connect the Yangtze River valley with the Pearl River valley. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty established counties in Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan and other places in the southwest, which strengthened the ties between the southwest ethnic minorities and the people of all ethnic groups in the mainland.

Sui and Tang Dynasties is an important development stage of China's unified multi-ethnic country, and ethnic relations are unprecedentedly prosperous, especially in the early Tang Dynasty, because this is the prosperous period of China's feudal society, with advanced political system, developed economy and prosperous science, technology and culture. This provided a good foundation for the Han regime to develop ethnic relations, and at the same time, it also attracted all ethnic groups in the border areas, making them urgently demand to absorb the advanced culture of the Tang Dynasty and take the initiative to develop relations with the Tang government. For example, Songzan Gambu proposed to the Tang government. The national policy of the central government in the Tang Dynasty was also more cheerful, and it actively adopted various ways, such as direct jurisdiction, conferring titles and equal exchanges, to actively develop relations with neighboring nationalities.

The ethnic integration in Yuan Dynasty was not only broader, but also greatly deepened. It is a period of further development of ethnic integration, which is mainly manifested in the following aspects: ① The ethnic integration in the Southern and Northern Dynasties was formed on the basis of the unification of the Yellow River Basin in the Northern Wei Dynasty, while the ethnic integration in the Yuan Dynasty was formed on the basis of the unification of the whole country in the Yuan Dynasty, with a wider scope. (2) The ethnic integration in the Southern and Northern Dynasties was mainly the integration of the northern minorities and the Han nationality. In the Yuan Dynasty, the Khitan, Nuzhen and other ethnic groups who first entered the Yellow River valley were no different from the Han nationality after living together for a long time, and were called "Han people". (3) Most importantly, Persians and Arabs moved to China in Yuan Dynasty, where they lived together with the Han, Mongolian, Uygur and other ethnic groups for a long time, married each other and merged into a new ethnic group-Hui.

Significance of progress: ① it is conducive to the consolidation and unity of feudal countries and the progress of ethnic minorities; (2) It is conducive to the development of the feudal national economy, especially the minority economy; (3) The economic and cultural exchanges among ethnic groups have been strengthened, which has created conditions for the development of culture and science and technology; ④ It has promoted the development of the Chinese nation and enhanced its cohesion.

During the Qing Dynasty, the integration and cultural exchange of all ethnic groups reached a new height. Ethnic integration was the mainstream of ancient ethnic relations, and the Qing Dynasty was an important period for the consolidation of China's unified multi-ethnic country. Compared with the previous generation, ethnic integration and ethnic exchanges at this time are magnificent, with climax after climax, and present some new characteristics.

First of all, the great integration of Manchu, Han and other nationalities has been realized. As early as when the Qing army entered the customs, there was already contact between Manchu and Han. After the Qing army entered Shanhaiguan, Manchu moved into Shanhaiguan in large numbers, which objectively broke the geographical boundary between Manchu and Han and formed a mixed situation. At the same time, in order to consolidate the rule, Manchu rulers also actively sought to unite with the Han landlord class and other ethnic minorities. In this way, in the long-term multi-ethnic coexistence, Manchu has developed and expanded because of its integration into the Han nationality and other ethnic groups. At the same time, some members have separated and integrated into other ethnic groups. This kind of consanguineous exchange is not only beneficial to the integration of Manchu and Han, but also close the relationship between fraternal peoples.

Secondly, compared with the previous generation, ethnic integration in border areas has been strengthened. In the early Qing Dynasty, 55 ethnic minorities in China had basically formed today's pattern, mainly concentrated in border areas, showing a state of mixed residence, small settlements and widespread dispersion. After the Qing Dynasty made Beijing its capital, it put down the separatist activities in Junggar and the rebellion in Hezhuo, and gave titles to Tibetan religious leaders and ministers stationed in Tibet, thus strengthening the control and management of border areas. Objectively speaking, this not only strengthens the connection between the frontier and the mainland, but also facilitates the integration of all ethnic groups in the frontier. For example, in the management of the northern frontier in the Qing Dynasty, the Hezhe, Daur, Oroqen and Ewenki nationalities scattered in Heilongjiang and Wusuli River basins were first moved to the hinterland of Northeast China. Then, after years of campaigns, he took control of the Mongolian plateau and the western regions, promoted the "Union Flag System" and ruled all Mongolian ministries. At the same time, due to war, famine, famine and many other reasons, the Han people in the mainland also flowed into the northern frontier in large numbers and lived together with other ethnic groups. In the vast areas of the north, the wandering and living together of different ethnic groups has set off a climax of ethnic integration with the integration of Han, Manchu and Mongolian as the core, and Uygur, Daur, Ewenki, Oroqen and other ethnic groups have also participated in it.

People of all ethnic groups have strengthened their cohesion, communication and integration in the anti-Qing rule and the invasion of foreign powers. At the beginning of entering the customs, Manchu nobles had implemented a series of policies to disturb the people, such as enclosure, charging and tonsure. In the process of cutting off the Nanming regime and pacifying the "San Francisco" war in the south, the Eight Banners army also harassed the people of China. These policies once caused class opposition and resistance of all ethnic groups, and objectively strengthened the connection between people of all ethnic groups and resistance to Qing rule. The rule of the late Qing Dynasty became increasingly decadent, and the great powers got their hands on China one after another. In the case of internal troubles and foreign invasion, in the face of adversity and struggle, it has promoted the awakening and unity of the Chinese nation and strengthened the cohesion and integration of all ethnic groups.