Wuhou summary

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Wuhou, or Wu-hou or Wu Zetian, (born 624, Wenshui, Shanxi province, China—died Dec. 16, 705, Louyang), Empress of China during the Tang dynasty. She began her career as the concubine of the emperor Taizong but became the consort of his son. She eliminated her female rivals and became empress in 655. By 660, through dismissal, exile, and execution, she had eliminated those who opposed her. Because the emperor was sickly, Wuhou was able to rule in his name; after his death she ruled in the name of her sons, at last declaring herself ruler in her own name in 690. To support her reign, she claimed to be an incarnation of the bodhisattva Maitreya. Though long vilified for her cruelty and her methods of maintaining power, she supported the development of a scholarly bureaucracy to replace rule by aristocratic families, stabilized the dynasty, and unified the empire.

Tang dynasty Summary

Tang dynasty, (618–907 ce), Chinese dynasty that succeeded the short-lived Sui dynasty (581–618), developed a successful form of government and administration on the Sui model, and stimulated a cultural and artistic flowering that amounted to a golden age. The Tang dynasty—like most—rose in

imperialism Summary

Imperialism, state policy, practice, or advocacy of extending power and dominion, especially by direct territorial acquisition or by gaining political and economic control of other areas. Because it always involves the use of power, whether military or economic or some subtler form, imperialism has

government Summary

Government, the political system by which a country or community is administered and regulated. Most of the key words commonly used to describe governments—words such as monarchy, oligarchy, and democracy—are of Greek or Roman origin. They have been current for more than 2,000 years and have not

China Summary

China, country of East Asia. It is the largest of all Asian countries. Occupying nearly the entire East Asian landmass, it covers approximately one-fourteenth of the land area of Earth, and it is almost as large as the whole of Europe. China is also one of the most populous countries in the world,