Why does the historical and economic center of China keep moving southward?

The economic center of gravity in the history of China has been moving southward for three reasons:

First, war and oppression. Since ancient times, the premise of economic prosperity is a peaceful and stable social environment. Since the Yongjia Rebellion, due to the Five Rebellions, a large number of Han people moved south, which also seriously damaged the productive forces in the north and completed the first shift of the economic center of gravity to the south in the history of China. During the Anshi Rebellion, the Han people could not bear the torture of ethnic minorities and could not escape. For the first time, the center of China's population geographical division has moved from the Yellow River basin to the Yangtze River basin, which is the second time in the history of China that the economic center of gravity has moved south. After the disaster of Jingkang, the people in the northern occupied area could not bear the oppression of the rulers, and a large number of royalty, officials and citizens flocked to the south, which was the third time in the history of China that the economic center of gravity moved south.

Second, the environment and construction. The natural conditions in the south are superior, soil and water conservation is good, and the population in the north is constantly moving south, bringing new water conservancy projects.

Agricultural production technology makes the Yangtze River basin gradually become an important grain producing area in China, especially in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, which has a good reputation of being familiar with Suzhou and lakes, vividly reflecting the important position of Taihu Lake basin production in the country. In addition, the improvement of cotton textile technology, the progress of shipbuilding technology, the development of commodity economy and the prosperity of overseas trade are beyond the reach of the North.

Third, the track and policy. Compared with the traditional farming economy, the south has explored more economic models than the north. For example, tea has become the main product of foreign trade, and handicrafts are more developed than the north. Since modern times, the south is the frontier of reform and opening up, with many special economic zones, and it is the earliest area to open to the outside world. Because of the support of policies, traffic is naturally more developed, forming a virtuous circle. Under the influence of the long-term shift of the economic center of gravity to the south, southerners have been cultivated with a strong business mind, and there is also a big gap between the personalities of businessmen in the north and the south. For example, Wenzhou people can do business and travel around the world, Guangdong people wear slippers every day to make a low-key fortune, while the northern officialdom has a strong sense and loves to brag and test civil servants.