History of China/Jin Dynasty

The Jìn Dynasty (晉朝), not to be confused with Jīn dynasty (金朝), was divided into the earlier Western Jin (266 - 316 AD) and later Eastern Jin Dynasty (317 - 420 AD). The Western Jin Dynasty was marked with internal strife and foreign invasions, while the Eastern Jin was forced out of the Chinese heartland of the Yellow River Basin and into the south. This was a significant period in Chinese history, as it was the first time non-Chinese controlled vast areas of Chinese lands. This resulted in a mixture of Chinese and northern cultures. The migration of the political center and influential families towards the south also sped up southern development. Cities like Jianye (current day Nanjing) and Suzhou developed greatly because of this. The Jin Dynasty was headed by the Sima (司馬) family.