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256
Fall of Zhou Dynasty
As their government slowly started losing control of their subjects, the Zhou dynasty slowly but surely began to lose power. -
Period: 256 to Jan 1, 1046
Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty was the longest in Chinese history, -
500
Development of Iron
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551
Confucius is born
( 551 - 479 B.C.E.) Confucius was one of the most influential philosophers to be born during the Zhou Dynasty. His teachings are still relavent today in Confucianism. -
Jan 1, 604
Lao Tzu is born
(604 - 531 B.C.E.) A Chinese philosopher and the founder of Daoism (Taoism). -
Jan 1, 771
Eastern Zhou is established
After 'barbarians' attacked the capital of Western Zhou, a new capital was formed in what is modern day Luoyang. The establishment of Eastern Zhou marks something of a decline in the Zhou Dynasty. -
Jan 1, 1046
Fall of Shang Dynasty
The Shang Dynasty fell when it was taken over by the Zhou state. Similar to the Xia Dynasty, it mainly fell due to an awful emperor, Di Xin, or the Mad King Zhou. He was extremely corrupt. It is said that he made an artificial pond of wine and kept a small island in the middle of it that always had roasted meat hanging from the trees. He and the Shang Dynasty met their ends at the battle of Muye where Di Xin burned to death in his palace. -
Jan 1, 1046
Zhou Dynasty Begins
(1046 B.C.E.) Started with King Wu of Zhou, who with his ally Jiang Ziya, took over Shang China, thusly starting the Zhou Dynasty. -
Period: Jan 1, 1046 to
Shang Dynasty
The first dynasty with archaeological and documentary evidence. -
Mar 1, 1046
Western Zhou is Established
The first half of the Zhou Dynasty took place in Western Zhou, which was located around the Wei River Valley, and then spread from there. -
Sep 30, 1046
Slaves Revolt
Due to unimaginable cruelty suffered under Di Xin's rule, the peasants and slaves revolted and joined the Chou/Zhou people of Western China in an attempt to overthrow the king. This led to the Battle of Muye -
Dec 31, 1047
Battle of Muye
(1047- 1046 B.C.E) This battle led to the end of the Shang Dynasty and beginning of the Zhou Dynasty. -
Jan 1, 1200
Spoke-Wheeled Chariots were made
This development shows the importance of Bronze during the Shang dynasty, as it was used for a variety of things, including these chariots. -
Sep 29, 1200
First use of Oracle Bones
(Around 1200 to 1050 B.C.E.) Oracle Bones were made of either animal bones or turtle shells, and were a form of divination in Ancient China. -
Xia Dynasty falls
(1600 BCE) The fall of the Xia Dynasty is blamed on the last Xia emperor, Jie (Pictured) . Jie is said to have fallen in love with a beautiful woman and proceeded to become something of a tyrant. -
Period: to
Xia Dynasty
The first ancient Chinese Dynasty -
Shang Dynasty Begins
(1600 B.C.E )
t's disputed as to when exactly the Shang Dynasty began, however many archaeologists agree that 1600 B.C.E. is a good general date. -
Period: to Jan 1, 1000
"The Golden Age"
This is an era of little violence in Zhou China, characterized by peace and stability. -
Period: to 221
Qin Dynasty
The first of the Imperial Dynasties. Came to power after extinguishing the Zhou Dynasty. -
Xia Dynasty is Established
(2070 B.C.E.)
According to the Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project, The Xia dynasty began in 2070 B.C.E in what is now the Western Henan province and the southern Shanxi Province.
