The nomads then dislodged other tribes, setting off a chain of migrations. The Zhou Dynasty replaced the Shang dynasty in the 11th century B.C. and continued the feudal tradition. Political, economic, and social life in China advanced during the Eastern Zhou period (770-256 B.C.). Chinese territory more than doubled in this dynasties ruling. This dynasty acquired parts of present-day northeast China as well as the Yangtze River Basin, which had the highest population concentration in the world at the time.

The Zhou dynasty introduced many new concepts and technology into the Chinese culture. They created new ways of war and new weapons designs. They made use of iron to create weapons. They built roads, canals, and bridges to improve communication and commerce with their neighboring civilizations. People began to get involved in civil positions and government jobs. People who trained for civil service, called Mandarins, began assuming positions once held by hereditary officials.

This was also the classical age of Chinese philosophy, with Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism all emerging during the Zhou dynasty. From 206 B.C. to A.D. 200 ambitious emperors of the Chinese Han dynasty gained control of a region stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Tarim Basin. They built northern military outposts along the Great Wall and the edges of the desert to protect the long trade caravans against raiding nomadic tribesmen. Persian, Arab, and Indian traders visited the Han capital, and the Eastern Han may have had direct contact with Rome. Chinese culture flourished toward new heights during the rule of this dyansty in many different fields.

They excelled in pottery, sculpture, painting, music, and literature, especially after the invention of papermaking. Chinese engineers built roads and canals. The Chinese culture gradually converted from monarchy and imperialism, into a socialistic government. The Chinese culture has experienced many changes that have both benefited and hurt their culture. Today, the People's Republic of China has been setup as the new government. They function on the basis of Socialism.