Wu Tai

Wu Tai

 

(literally, Five Dynasties), the period in Chinese history from 907 to 960, named for the number of successive dynasties or states: the Liang (907–923), T’ang (923–937), Chin (936–947), Han (947–950), and Chou (951–960). The dynasties reigned primarily in North and Central China, while ten other independent states existed in the rest of the land. The Wu Tai period was characterized by the feudal fragmentation of China and continual warfare among the various feudal-military groups. Agriculture, handicrafts, and commerce declined. The Wu Tai period ended with the unification of China under the Sung Dynasty.