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220
The Han dynasty falls
Over time the Han government became less stable.The Han Dynasty fell because people ignored laws and violence was common. -
Jan 1, 602
Begining of the Grand Canal
The Grand Canal was started during the Sui dynasty, which lasted from 589 to 618. The Grand Canal linked Northern and Southern China. -
Jan 1, 655
Wu Becomes ruler of China
Empress Wu was the first woman to rule China.She ruled with an iron fist. -
Jan 1, 740
Woodblock printing
The Woodblock printer was invented sometime in the Tang dynasty. Printers could copy texts and pictures much faster than they could be copied by hand with the woodblock printer. -
Jan 1, 744
Li Bo and Du Fu write poems
Li Bo and Du Fu were some of the greatest poets in China. They both wrote poems readers still enjoy today. -
Jan 1, 1000
Gunpowder
Gunpowder was invented during the late Tang or early Song dynasty. Gunpowder was used to make fireworks,but they didnt use it as a weapon generally. -
Jan 1, 1050
Magnetic compass
Invented no later than the Han dynasty, the compass was greatly improved by the Tang. The new compass allowed sailors and merchants to travel vast distances. -
Jan 1, 1090
Movable type
The Movable type was invented during the Song dynasty. It also made printing texts much faster, just like the Woodblock. -
Jan 1, 1189
Neo Confucianism introduced
Neo Confucianism was introduced during the Song dynasty. Neo Confucianism was like Confucianism except it also emphasized spiritual manners. -
Jan 1, 1202
China largest country in the World
During the Song dynasty, the farmers of China fed a country of 100 million people. At the time China was the largest country in the world. -
Jan 1, 1227
Mongols take control of Northern China
After Genghis Khan's death in 1227, all of Northern China was under Mongol control. The Mongol conquests did not end with Genghis Khan's death. -
Jan 1, 1274
Mongol Army sail to Japan.
The Mongols decided to invade Japan. Violent storms and fierce defenders destroyed most of the Mongol force. -
Period: Jan 1, 1279 to Jan 1, 1368
The Yuan dynasty
Kublai Khan completed the conquest of China and in 1279 declared himself emperor of China. That time started the Yuan dynasty. -
Period: Jan 1, 1368 to
The Ming dynasty
Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor of China. He founded the Ming dynasty and it lasted for nearly 300 years. -
Jan 1, 1406
Forbidden City
The Ming emperors built the Forbidden City.Within the buildings were some 9000 rooms. -
Jan 1, 1425
Zheng He sails
Zheng He was the greatest sailor of his period. Between 1405 and 1433, he led seven grand voyages to places around Asia. Zheng He's fleets were huge. -
Jan 1, 1430
Isolation
China entered a time of isolation around the 1430s. Isolation is a policy of avoiding contact with other countries. -
Jan 1, 1456
Restoration of the Great Wall
Ming rulers directed the restoration of the famous Great Wall of China. Large numbers of soldiers and peasants worked to rebuild collapsed portions of walls. -
First printed book
The first printed book was printed during the Tang dynasty. They also used another invention, the woodblock printing to make this book. -
Paper Money
Paper money was first printed in China around the 900s. The Chinese used paper money for about 700 years, through the Ming dynasty. -
Porcelain invented
Porcelain was first invented during the Tang dynasty. Porcelain was a thin beautiful type of pottery. -
Dragon Backbone pump invented
The Dragon Backbone pump allowed one person to do the work of many when farming. With this light and portable pump, a farmer could scoop up water and pour it into an irrigation canal. -
Period: to
The Sui dynasty
Yang Jian conquered the south,unified China,and created the Sui dynasty. The Sui dynasty didnt last long,only from 589 to 618. -
Period: to
The Tang dynasty
The new dynasty arose in China in 618 when a former Sui official overthrew the old government.The Tang dynasty would rule for nearly 300 years. -
Period: to Jan 1, 1279
The Song Dynasty
The Song dynasty lasted about 300 years. The Song dynasty was a time of great accomplishments.
