Editing History of China (section)

====Three Kingdoms (AD 220–280)====
{{main|Three Kingdoms|}}

By the 2nd century, the empire declined amidst land acquisitions, invasions, and feuding between [[consort clan]]s and [[Eunuch#China|eunuchs]]. The [[Yellow Turban Rebellion]] broke out in AD 184, ushering in an era of [[warlord]]s. In the ensuing turmoil, three states emerged, trying to gain predominance and reunify the land, giving this historical period its name. The classic historical novel ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'' dramatizes events of this period.

The warlord [[Cao Cao]] reunified the north in 208, and in 220 his son accepted the abdication of [[Emperor Xian of Han]], thus initiating the [[Cao Wei|Wei]] dynasty. Soon, Wei's rivals [[Shu Han|Shu]] and [[Eastern Wu|Wu]] proclaimed their independence. This period was characterized by a gradual decentralization of the state that had existed during the Qin and Han dynasties, and an increase in the power of great families.

In 266, the [[Jin dynasty (265–420)|Jin dynasty]] overthrew the Wei and later unified the country in 280, but this union was short-lived.