China

Basic History of Ancient China

By Abby Ryman
  • 2070 BCE

    Xia Dynasty

    Xia Dynasty
    This dynasty is possibly just a myth, but it was founded by Yu The Great. It isn't labeled as the first dynasty because archaeologists think that it may have not even been real.
  • 1600 BCE

    Shang Dynasty

    Shang Dynasty
    This was the first historically marked dynasty of ancient China. It was founded by Cheng Tang who supposedly defeated the evil king Jie of the Xia Dynasty. It declined after emperor Wu Ding's death then collapsed when overthrown by King Wu of the Zhou Province.
  • 1046 BCE

    Zhou Dynasty

    Zhou Dynasty
    The Zhou Dynasty was founded by Wu Wang and was the longest-lasting dynasty in ancient China. It was centered around the North China Plain.
  • 551 BCE

    Confucianism

    Confucianism
    Confucianism was founded by Confucious. Some of the beliefs are that people are born good, relationships were important, and they valued education.
  • 476 BCE

    Warring States Period

    Warring States Period
    This period was about seven states fighting for control and the unification of China. This is also when the Zhou Dynasty started to decline and ended when the leader of the Qin State conquered the other states.
  • 300 BCE

    Daoism

    Daoism
    Daoism was founded by Laozi in the 300s BCE. This encouraged people to understand nature. The Yin and Yang symbolize the balance of life.
  • 221 BCE

    The Great Wall

    The Great Wall
    The Great Wall of China was ordered to begin building by Qin Shi Huangdi. This was built in order to protect China from invaders in the North.
  • 221 BCE

    End of Warring States Period

    End of Warring States Period
    This is when the leader of the Qin State, Qin Chi Huangdi, conquered the rest of the states and won control over China.
  • 221 BCE

    Qin Dynasty

    Qin Dynasty
    This was founded by Qin Shi Huangdi when he conquered everyone else in the Warring States Period. He started the building of The Great Wall and used legalism. It declined when Qin Shi died because of many rebel alliances. It ended when the imperial house was massacred.
  • 206 BCE

    Han Dynasty

    Han Dynasty
    This dynasty was founded by Lui Bang. It collapsed when emperors died without their heirs so people were fighting for control, natural disasters, and civil wars.
  • 200 BCE

    Legalism

    Legalism
    Legalism was founded by Han Fei in the 200s BCE. It was used in the Qin Dynasty so it came before the Han Dynasty. This philosophy was that we needed to create order in the world and to do that they needed to enforce strict laws and harsh punishments.