Learning plan cover

Chinese history

LEARNING PLAN

Chinese history

Understanding Chinese history is essential for anyone seeking to comprehend one of the world's most influential civilizations and its profound impact on global affairs. This learning plan benefits students, professionals working with Chinese markets, policymakers, and anyone curious about how China's 5,000-year legacy shapes today's geopolitical and economic landscape. From ancient philosophy to modern superpower status, this journey reveals the continuities and transformations that make China central to understanding our interconnected world.

ByCommunity User
1 h 51 m
10 coursesUpdated 6 days ago
The AnalectsChina's Lost First Dynasty: Archaeological Detective StoryTao Te Ching10 sources

How This Learning Plan Was Made

This plan was crafted by BeFreed’s proprietary AI to help you learn Chinese history with ease. It is curated from in-depth research on the topic and structured around the most effective learning journeys proven by BeFreed users.

Each episode delivers bite-sized, high-impact lessons distilled from world-class sources — bestselling books, research papers, and expert insights. Together, they form a sophisticated yet accessible path to mastering Chinese history.

What You'll Learn

  • Trace Chinese civilization from its ancient philosophical foundations through Confucianism and Taoism to the earliest imperial dynasties
  • Explore how centuries of dynastic rule connected China to global trade networks through the Silk Roads and shaped international commerce
  • Analyze the revolutionary upheavals of 20th century China, including Mao's rise, the Cultural Revolution, and their human impact
  • Understand modern China's transformation into an economic powerhouse and its growing influence on global geopolitics
  • Gain perspectives from personal narratives and insider accounts that bring pivotal historical moments to life

Discover the ancient roots of Chinese culture—from Confucian wisdom and Taoist philosophy to the earliest dynasties that shaped one of humanity's oldest continuous civilizations.

The Analects cover
The Analects

Ancient Chinese wisdom on ethics, governance, and personal conduct, compiled from Confucius's teachings by his disciples.

9 m
podcast cover
Evidence for the existence of Xia DynastyOn the promise and purpose of archaeology for rebuilding the history of the Xia Dynasty of Bronze Age China4 The Xia-Shang-Zhou Chronology Project and Archaeological Research on the Xia DynastyCivilisation in the Early Bronze Age XIA DYNASTY SET THE ...
6 sources
China's Lost First Dynasty: Archaeological Detective Story

Explore the fascinating quest to prove the legendary Xia Dynasty actually existed, combining ancient texts with modern archaeological discoveries that may validate 4,000 years of Chinese civilization.

9 m
Tao Te Ching cover
Tao Te Ching

Ancient Chinese wisdom on living in harmony with the Tao, offering profound insights on simplicity, humility and natural balance.

8 m

Journey through centuries of dynastic rule and explore how China connected with the world through trade, from the Qing Dynasty's rise and fall to the legendary Silk Roads that shaped global commerce.

The Silk Roads cover
The Silk Roads

A sweeping reinterpretation of world history, shifting focus to Central Asia as the pivotal region shaping global civilization.

9 m
podcast cover
Qing dynasty - WikipediaQing dynasty | Definition, History, Map, Time Period ... - BritannicaPolitical Events and Developments During the Qing Dynasty (1644 ...Structural-demographic analysis of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 ...
6 sources
The Qing Dynasty: Rise and Fall of China's Last Empire

Dive deep into 268 years of Manchu rule that shaped modern China! From brilliant conquests to devastating rebellions, discover how this foreign dynasty conquered, ruled, and ultimately lost the world's largest empire.

27 m

Witness China's dramatic 20th century upheaval—from Mao's revolution and the Cultural Revolution's chaos to personal stories of survival that illuminate this turbulent era of radical change.

Maoism cover
Maoism

A sweeping history of Maoism's global impact, from China to the Andes, revealing its enduring influence and contradictions.

9 m
podcast cover
Mao’s Last RevolutionThe Cultural Revolution: A People’s History, 1962–1976China Under Mao: A Revolution DerailedThe World Turned Upside Down: A History of the Chinese Cultural Revolution
24 sources
The Cultural Revolution: When Mao Unleashed China Against Itself

From teenage Red Guards to deadly struggle sessions, discover how Mao's decade-long chaos still shapes modern power dynamics. Drawing from Andrew Walder's groundbreaking research, Tania Branigan's 'Red Memory', and firsthand survivor accounts, we unpack the psychology behind how ordinary people commit extraordinary acts.

12 m
Red Scarf Girl cover
Red Scarf Girl

Revolution devours childhood: one girl's true survival in Communist China

9 m

Understand modern China's economic miracle and global influence through insider perspectives on its rise as a superpower, revealing the forces reshaping 21st-century geopolitics and economics.

China In Ten Words cover
China In Ten Words

A provocative exploration of modern China through ten carefully chosen words, blending personal anecdotes with incisive cultural analysis.

9 m
Dealing with China cover
Dealing with China

An insider's account of China's economic rise and strategies for engaging with the emerging superpower, from a former Treasury Secretary.

10 m

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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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254
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17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
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star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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comments
201
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16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
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star
star
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
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