The history of East Asia is complex, full of cultural changes that are still practiced throughout the world today. China was isolated from the rest of the world due to its mountain ranges, large deserts, and vast grasslands. However, isolation from the rest of the world did not affect the growth and changes that occurred in China from the Neolithic Age to 1400. Chinese culture greatly influenced East Asia through trade and warfare with neighboring territories. Each new dynasty strove to be larger and more powerful than the one that preceded it. New governments, better armies, more effective weapons, expanding trade routes, and new ideologies were some of the changes that spread throughout China and into modern-day Vietnam, Korea, and China. One of the major causes of change is war. It imposes new ideas on how to govern a nation and more effective armies. The conquered people forced the kings to reconsider how they would rule a larger kingdom. China's history is divided into dynasties, each of which accomplished great feats but was ultimately defeated by opposing forces. From each new dynasty a new concept of government of a new nation was born. Beginning with the First Dynasty, the region of China would become larger and more powerful than its predecessor. With the threat of war always on the horizon, the Chinese have had to constantly rethink ways of governing to maintain stability and economic growth within their borders. War would exhaust the kingdom's money; spoils of war and trade with other nations were ways to keep the country economically afloat. Great philosophers, written texts, military minds and leaders emerge out of necessity and the idea that change is needed. One of the most important philosophers during the Zhou Dynasty was Confucius. Ethics was its main source… the medium of paper… it made its way to Vietnam, Korea and Japan through trade with China. Chinese culture had a great impact on these countries, they eventually became unique to each country, but its roots can be traced back to China. The history of China has been compared to the Roman Empire. It was a small nation that grew with each new dynasty. China soon became more economically and technologically advanced than any other nation. Through perseverance and a willingness to accept new forms of government and ideas, a country can become a great power in the world. War, it seems, is a necessary evil for a nation to grow and excel in the world. China has had major setbacks within its borders, but overall it has always overcome all obstacles and survived all changes to become one of the great world powers today. Works Cited History of World Societies