China Timeline Project

Prehistorical China

5000 BCE

Around 5000 BCE, Neolithic cultures emerged. People grew crops, Made clothes, and made pottery. One of the most important foods that they ate in the south was rice, while in the north it was millet, a type of flour that was made into flat breads such as crackers or was eaten as a porridge. http://www.pbs.org/story-china/timeline/#/*/neolithic-cultures

Xia Dynasty

3000 BCE

Around 3000, A walled civilization emerged. The people who lived in this civilization learned how to make bronze to make vessels for ritual drinking and eating. The bronzes they found were the earliest in east Asia. http://www.pbs.org/story-china/timeline/#/*/chinas-first-state

Shang Dynasty

1600 BCE

Around 1600 BCE, Shang cities had placed palaces and temples, housing areas for the upper class and commoners, as well as workshops for metal workers, and burial grounds. The Shang engaged in production of bronze vessels and weapons. The rituals played a certain role in ancient rites and government. http://www.pbs.org/story-china/timeline/#/*/shang-china

Zhou Dynasty

1000 BCE

Zhou was a state based in Wei River Valley in Northwest China. Three great rulers have made Zhou strong. The first of three was King Wen, who formed alliances with neighboring tribes. He was later imprisoned by King Di Xin of Shang, who feared the Zhou's. King Wen was freed but there was tension between the two. The second ruler of Zhou was King Wu, King Wen's son, who led an army and crushed the Shang in the battle of Mu Ye. The third ruler was the King's brother, The Duke of Zhou. PBS

Printing

868 BCE

Wood block printing was one of the greatest inventions in China. Printing in China involved carving words on to a wood block and pressing it onto paper. The oldest book printed in the world is the Diamond Sutra, a Buddhist text i Chinese. http://www.pbs.org/story-china/timeline/#/*/printing

Confucius

600 BCE

During the spring and autumn period of the Zhou dynasty, many cities and states were across china. Rulers and advisers of the states gathered at their courts, Confucius was one of these men. Confucius tried to persuade people to do good and accept the social roles that existed in the golden days of early Zhou. He said that if the king was "virtuous" then the people would also do good. Rulers would not listen to him but his disciples put his teachings into a book called Analects.

Legalism

300 BCE

Legalism in China was a belief that people are more likely to do wrong than right because of self interest. A ruler had to create laws to direct people's self interest to do good. The penalties for breaking these laws were severe and included large fines or sentenced years of community service building fortifications. https://www.ancient.eu/Legalism/

Daoism

206 BCE

Daoism shaped Chinese culture for over 2000 years. Daoist philosophy has found its way into many other cultures, especially Vietnam, Japan, and Korea. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Daoism

Buddhism

200 BCE

Around 200 CE, Traders traveling from India brought Buddhism to China. The Chinese were attracted to Buddhism because it addressed questions of suffering and death. By the mid 500s, Buddhism became very popular in China.

Increase of book use

800

Printing meant books could be made much more available. Handbooks where made about agriculture, medicine, mathematics, warfare, and architecture. Private printing presses also made it easier for people to plan their own weddings and etc.