Period of Disunity

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The Period of Disunity, also known as the first disunion, was a long period of disunity and civil wars in China, lasting from 220 to 589. It followed the collapse of the Han Dynasty, when a large number of kingdoms had sprung up and fought for domination.

Among the dynasties formed were the Three Kingdoms of Wei, Shu, and Wu (220–280), the Jin Dynasty and Sixteen Kingdoms, and the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420–589). The fighting lasted for over 300 years. It was during this period that the popularity of Buddhism and Taoism grew. In 589 China finally saw the end of the Period of Disunity when the Sui Dynasty took control, and briefly reunited China proper.