-
Period: 2205 BCE to 1575 BCE
Xia
The first dynasty in China, very little is known about Xia. -
Period: 1570 BCE to 1045 BCE
Shang
The Shang ruled much of the area along the Yellow River. Their last capital city was the great city of Yin. -
Period: 1045 BCE to 256 BCE
Zhou
The longest ruling dynasty in the history of China, the Zhou first used the Mandate of Heaven to justify their rule. Much of the land was ruled by by feudal lords who were relatives of the Zhou family. -
Period: 221 BCE to 206 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 advancements would be used In future dynasties to make China strong. -
Period: 206 to 220
Han
The Han dynasty established the civil service to create a strong and organized government. Paper and porcelain were also invented during this time. Han also embraced Confucianism, poetry, and literature. -
Period: 222 to 581
Six Dynasties
A period of time where China was not united under a single ruler. -
Period: 589 to 618
Sui
The Sui unite China again under one rule. They also expanded the Great Wall and built the Grand Canal. -
Period: 618 to 907
Tang
A period of peace and prosperity the Tang rule is sometimes known as the Golden Age of Ancient China. Arts, literature, and technology all flourish. The capital city Chang'an becomes the worlds largest city. -
Period: 907 to 960
Five Dynasties
A peasant rebellion takes down the Tang dynasty and ushers in a period of division. -
Period: 960 to 1279
Song
Reunited under the Song, China becomes a world leader in science and technology including inventions such as gunpowder and the compass. -
Period: 1279 to 1368
Yuan
After the Mongols defeated the Song in a long war, Kublai Khan, a Mongo leader, established the Yuan dynasty. -
Period: 1368 to
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.