-
Period: 1766 BCE to 1111 BCE
Shang Dynasty
Validated their rule through the mandate of heaven that was bestowed upon them after the Xia dynasty (which was probably fictional, being made up by the Shang) -
Period: 1111 BCE to 221 BCE
Zhou Dynasty
Like the Shang, the Zhou also claimed a mandate from heaven to rule. They also promoted unity through a single spoken language, Chinese Mandarin, which is spoken still today. Confucius also wrote his philosophies during this dynasty, which laid the foundation for Confucianism. -
403 BCE
Warring States Period Began
-
221 BCE
Great Wall Completed
The Great Wall of China was completed. -
Period: 221 BCE to 206 BCE
Qin Dynasty
Qin Shi Huangdi ruled this dynasty, and did so with an iron fist. He was a brutal ruler, but an effective control led to a good army and the construction of the Great Wall of China. This dynasty also made Chinese writing uniform, and thus completed the basis for a single language in China. -
Period: 206 BCE to 221
Han Dynasty
The state bureaucracy workings improved, and formal training for Confucianism was introduced. Emperor Wudi supported Confucianism, and encouraged others to do the same. -
9
End of the Former Han Dynasty
-
100
Development of Porcelain
-
Period: 217 to 419
Era of Division, Southern Dynasties, Eastern Chin
-
Period: 219 to 316
Era of Divisions, Southern Dynasties, Western Chin
-
Period: 386 to 532
Era of Division, Northern Dynasties, Northern Wei
-
Period: 535 to 554
Era of Division, Northern Dynasties, Western Wei
-
Period: 581 to 618
Sui Dynasties
China is reunified. Construction on the Grand Canal begins and is completed, and is then used for the transportation of goods (agricultural and trade). -
589
China is Reunified
Wendi established the "Three Department" system, which worked with the Six Ministries: Personnel, Revenue, Rites, War, Justice, and Public Works. -
605
Yangdi Began Building the Grand Canal
Runs from the Luoyang River to the Huai River, then from the Jiangdu on the Yangtze River. -
Period: 618 to 906
Tang Dynasty
Buddhism became more popular, and the only female empress, Empress Wu, came to power during this dynasty. -
635
Taizong allowed Christians into China.
Taizong welcomed Nestorian Christians and let a church be built. -
Period: 907 to 960
Five Dynasties
-
Period: 907 to 1128
Liao Dynasty
-
Period: 960 to 1279
Song Dynasty
It was more well-known for its defense policies rather than territorial expansion. Mongol invaders presented a constant threat to the Chinese rule. -
1215
The Mongols Captured Beijing
The Mongols had been at war with the Jin and Chinese residents for awhile during this era. -
Period: 1260 to 1368
Yuan Dynasty
The Mongols ruled China during this time. Even though they lived amongst Chinese culture, they retained their own language. Marco Polo travelled through China during this dynasty as well. -
1315
The Mongols Rebuilt the Grand Canal to Extend to Beijing
The civil service examination was also re-established, but it required that half the degrees be given to Mongols and other non-Chinese applicants, regardless of their competency. -
1368
Taizu Gained Control of Beijing
The Ming dynasty was never able to defeat the Mongols, so their rule was never fully expanded. It was an ordinary dynasty that favored the common man (poor over the rich). -
Period: 1368 to
Ming Dynasty
The Chinese were never able to fully liberate themselves from the Mongols. The emperor that had the most influence on this dynasty, Taizu, favored the common (peasants). -
Period: to
Qing Dynasty
This is the last Chinese dynasty before doing away with the classical system. China interacted with the world a lot more. -
The Qing Dynasty was Overthrown by Revolutionaries
It was the end of the Chinese dynasties.
