China Timeline

By tyeseburton
  • Period: 1766 BCE to 1111 BCE

    Shang dynasty

  • 1600 BCE

    Development of writing

    Development of writing
    Writing develops in China from 1,600 to 1,046 BCE
  • Period: 1111 BCE to 221 BCE

    Zhou dynasty

    Longest Chinese dynasty
  • 1046 BCE

    Zhou dynasty replaces the Shang dynasty

    Zhou dynasty replaces the Shang dynasty
  • 551 BCE

    Life of Confucius

    Life of Confucius
    551 to 479 BCE
  • 256 BCE

    The end of the Zhou dynasty

    The end of the Zhou dynasty
    The Qin army captures Chengzhou and the last emperor is killed. This is the end of the Zhou.
  • 221 BCE

    Ying Zheng claims the Mandate of Heaven and takes power

    When Ying Zheng defeats other warring states he also claims the Mandate of Heaven and takes power as Shi Huangdi, first emperor of China.
  • 221 BCE

    Shi Huangdi adopts Legalism

    Legalism is adopted as the state philosophy and bans all others. (221- 206 BCE)
  • Period: 221 BCE to 206 BCE

    Ch'in dynasty

    Brief, but very important to Chinese history
  • 218 BCE

    The building of the Great Wall of China is initiated

    The building of the Great Wall of China is initiated
  • Period: 206 BCE to 221

    Han dynasty

    Emperors:
  • Period: 141 BCE to 87 BCE

    Emperor Wu abandons Legalism in favor of Confucianism

  • 140 BCE

    Han territory expands

    The Han territory expands during Emperor Wu's ruling from 140-87 BCE
  • Period: 217 to 580

    Era of Division

    Northern dynasties:
    Northern Wei: 386-532
    Western Wei:535-554
    Southern dynasties:
    Western Chin: 219-316
    Eastern Chin: 217-419
  • Period: 581 to 618

    Sui dynasty

    Emperors:
    Yang Jian (r. 581-604)
    Yang Guang (r. 605-617)
  • 589

    China is Reunified

    China is Reunified
    China is reunified with the "Three Department" system and six ministries.
  • Period: 608 to 609

    The Grand Canal is built

    The Grand Canal was built from the Yellow River to Beijing. Thousands of men and women helped with the building process. This canal was very large and helped with trading, agriculture, defense and more. It also helped create a link between northern and southern China.
  • Period: 618 to 906

    Tang dynasty

    Emperors:
    Gaozu (r. 618-616)
    Taizong (r.626- 649)
    Gaozong (r. 649-683)
    Zhonzong and Ruizong (r. 683- 690 sequentially)
    Xuanzong (r. 712- 756)
  • 841

    Suppression of Buddhism

    Suppression of Buddhism
    The suppression of Buddhism and other foreign religions occur. Temples and Monasteries are closed and the wealth is taken by the government. (841-845)
  • Period: 907 to 960

    Five dynasties

    When An Lu-shan declares himself emperor he is murdered by his son who, in turn, is also murdered. Many warlords compete for position and this time period became known as the period of the Five Dynasties.
  • Period: 907 to 1128

    Liao dynasty

  • 960

    Empress Wu comes to power

    Empress Wu comes to power
    Empress Wu usurps power and becomes the only female emperor in Chinese History. Later on, she is forced to abdicate at the age of 80.
  • Period: 960 to 1279

    Sung dynasty

    Emperors:
    Zhao Kuangyin (r. 960-976)
    Zhou Kuangyi (r. 976-997)
    Zhao Ji (r. 1101-1126)
    Gaozong (r. 1127-1162)
  • 1127

    Overrun by Nomads

    Overrun by Nomads
    In 1127 the Northern Song dynasty is overrun by nomadic groups calling themselves the Jin dynasty.
  • 1235

    Mongol invaders are resisted

    From 1235-1279 the Song dynasty resists Mongol invaders. Explosive weapons were even used for the very first time during these years.
  • Period: 1260 to 1368

    Yuan dynasty

    Emperors:
    Kublai (r. 1260- 1294)
    Toghun Temur (r. 1333- 1368)
  • 1274

    Emperor Kublai sends fleets against Japan

    Emperor Kublai sends fleets against Japan
    Fleets are sent to Japan. The second attempt in 1281 is ruined by the destruction of a typhoon.
  • 1315

    Rebuilding of the Grand Canal

    Rebuilding of the Grand Canal
    The Grand Canal is rebuilt and extended to Beijing.
  • 1360

    The end of the Yuan dynasty

    The end of the Yuan dynasty
    The deterioration of the Yuan dynasty was from the 1340s to the 1360s due to factionalism, military deterioration, deadly epidemics and the absence of much needed water programs along with more. Because of these problems, the Yuan dynasty was easily defeated. War and peasant revolts were throughout the empire.
  • 1368

    Taizu gains control of Beijing

    Taizu gains control of Beijing
    Taizu gets control of Beijing. He does not capture or defeat the Mongol emperor who fled to Mongolia. The Mongol are never defeated by the Ming dynasty. This dynasty is not as grand as previous dynasties. It can be described and ordinary and favoring of the comman man. Because of his background, Taizu favors the poor over the rich.
  • Period: 1368 to

    Ming dynasty

    Emperors:
    Zhu Yuanzhang (r. 1368- 1398)
    Zhu Di (r. 1402 - 1424)
    Zhe Qizen (r. 1436-1450)
    Guangzong (r 1573-1620)
  • Period: to

    Qing Dynasty

    Emperors:
    Kangxi (r. 1662- 1722)
    Yongzheng (r. 1722-1736)
    Qianlong (r. 1736-95)
    Guangxu (r. 1898)

  • The Taiping Rebellion

    This rebellion was a peasant uprising from 1840 to 1842. A Christian convert calls himself the Son of Heaven and claims to be the brother of Christ. He gains many followers and attempted to overthrow the Qing dynasty.

  • Opium war ends

    At the end of the Opium war, the Nanjing treaty is signed giving Hong Kong to Great Britain.

  • Qing Dynasty is overthrown

    Revolutionaries overthrow the dynasty.