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2070 BCE
The Xia Dynasty
The Xia Dynasty is the first dynasty in traditional Chinese history and was ruled by King Yu. It's assumed that the dynasty's rulers exercised power throughout the middle Yellow River valley. It lasted around 500 years and was defeated by the Shang around 1600 BC. -
Period: 2070 BCE to 142
Ancient Chinese Dynasties and Religions.
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1600 BCE
The Shang Dynasty
It was during the Shang Dynasty that the Bronze Age started, when the use of bronze became more common. It was also the start of military technology(like horse drawn chariots), writing, calendars, and religion. Shang fell around 1046 BC to the Zhou. -
1600 BCE
Oracle Bones
Oracle bones were first used around the Shang era, where the priests wrote questions on them(shoulder bones of cattle or tortoise shells) and marked their interpretations on the bone or shell. They were first fully excavated in 1899. -
1046 BCE
The Zhou Dynasty
This dynasty was the longest lasting one and was ruled by King Wu when it followed the Shang Dynasty. It was separated into two different periods: the Western Zhou(1046-771 BCE) and the Eastern Zhou(770-256 BCE). This dynasty was the awakening of intellectual and artistic awakening. -
1046 BCE
Confucius
Confucius was a philosopher who lived from 551 to 479 BC. His followers collected his ideas and teachings in a work called Analects. Confucianism had more influence on Chinese life than any other philosophy. This was part of a the social change of life during the Zhou Era. -
530 BCE
Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama founded Buddhism, one of the world's greatest religions, around 530 BC. He became Buddha, "The Enlightened One", as he practiced spiritual meditations and teachings. However, in his lifetime, he only had few followers. Several centuries later, his teachings won wide acceptance in Asia. -
475 BCE
Legalism
In ancient China, Legalism was a philosophical belief that human beings are more inclined to do wrong than right because they are motivated entirely by self interest. The early writing was developed by Han Feizi. Legalists believed in power- not virtue -and in harsh laws. -
221 BCE
The Qin Dynasty
This dynasty lasted only lasted 15 years but Cheng, the founder, claimed that the founding of his dynasty marked a turning point in China's history. They maintained order by creating an autocracy, in which the emperor held total power. Qin was guarded against invasion by the Great Wall of China, which was also built on by other dynasties. In 206 BC, a rebel army revolted against the dynasty and Liu Band overthrew the dynasty and founded Han -
206 BCE
The Han Dynasty
Liu Band took the title of King of Han for the new dynasty, which had so much influence over the development of China that many Chinese people today call themselves "People of Han." The Han dynasty established a civil service, a systhem that runs the day-to-day business of government. During this dynasty, they used leveling for economic policy and the Silk Road trade prospered greatly. It was split in two, like the Zhou: The Western Han and the Eastern Han. -
142
Daoism
According to legend, Laozi founded the philosophy called Daoism, in which 'Dao' means "The Way." The idea of Daoism is that the Dao was an indescribable force that governed the universe and all of nature. Laozi shunned politics and advised people to not seek power. People who believed in Daoism bring themselves into harmony by being quiet and humble. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9RSa9t30Ww
