Ancient China

By Huntress amp
  • 2205 BCE

    Xia

    The first dynasty in China, very little is known about the Xia.
  • 1570 BCE

    Shang

    The Shang rules much of the area along the Yellow River. Their last city was the great city of Yin.
  • 1045 BCE

    Zhou

    The longest ruling dynasty in the history China, the Zhou first used the Mandate of Heaven to justify their rule. Much of the land was ruled by feudal lords who were relatives of the Zhou family.
  • 221 BCE

    Qin

    The beginning of the Chinese Empire, Shi Huangdi became the first Chinese Emperor. Although this was a short dynasty much was accomplished including the beginning of the Great Wall; standards were set for weights, measures, and money; many roads and canals were built; and a single type of writing was used throughout the country. All of these achievements would be used in future dynasties to make China strong.
  • 206

    Han

    The Han dynasty established the civil service to create a strong and organized government. Paper and porcelain were also invented during this time. The Han also embraced Confucianism, poetry, and literature.
  • 222

    Six Dynasties

    A period of time where China was not united under a single leader.
  • 589

    Sui

    The Sui unite China again under one rule. They also expanded the Great Wall and built the Grand Canal.
  • 618

    Tang

    A period of peace and prosperity, the Tang rule. They also expanded the Great Wall and built the Grand Canal.
  • 907

    Five Dynasties

    A peasant rebellion takes down the Tang dynasty and ushers in a period of division.
  • 960

    Song

    Reunited under the Song, China becomes a world leader in science and technology including inventions such as gunpowder and the compass.
  • 1279

    Yuan

    After the Mongols defeated the Song in a long war, Kublai Khan, a Mongol leader, established the Yuan dynasty.
  • 1368

    Ming

    The last of the great Chinese dynasties, the Ming finished the Great Wall and built the Forbidden City, an enormous palace for the Emperor. The Ming came into power by overthrowing the rule of the Mongols.